Market News &amp; Insights.

Japan Finance Minister Vows to Keep Eye on Fiscal Balance

Continued concerns over Japan’s fiscal sustainability have sparked a rise in government bond yields and weighed on the yen.

6d ago Read more →

El Nino Is Yet to Peak, Bringing Heat and Agricultural Damage in Tow, UN Says

This year’s El Nino is on track to be the strongest in at least 70 years, further increasing the likelihood of widescale disruption to global agricultural markets.

BOE’s Chief Economist Sees Need for Rate Rise as War’s Course Remains Uncertain

The Bank of England should raise its key interest rate to limit the risk that inflation will stay above its target for a prolonged period, Chief Economist Huw Pill said.

U.S. Services-Sector Activity Expanded Again in August

The Institute for Supply Management’s purchasing managers index for services providers was 55.4 in August compared with 54.1 in July.

U.S. Trade Deficit Widened in July

U.S. imports were higher than exports by $88.6 billion, versus $71.2 billion in June. Analysts polled were expecting a $90 billion deficit.

U.S. Jobless Claims Ticked Back Up Last Week

U.S. jobless claims swung upward again somewhat last week but were generally flat as job creation slows. The number of people who filed for unemployment benefits was 206,000.

The Dutch central bank said it moved around 86 metric tons of gold from New York and Ottawa to London as a result of “increasing geopolitical unrest”

The Dutch central bank said shifting the 78 metric tons of gold, worth $11 billion, would improve its ability to trade the metal in a pinch.

Capital Account: Under his “Donroe” doctrine, President Trump no longer treats Venezuela as sovereign. Canada fears the same treatment, @greg_ip writes.

Under his “Donroe” doctrine, President Trump no longer treats Venezuela as sovereign. Canada fears the same treatment.

Global Bond Markets Take a Breather

Government bond yields fell amid cooling expectations of an interest rate increase by the U.S. Federal Reserve, but the selloff in bonds might not be over.

Malaysia Central Bank Holds Rates as Growth Stays Firm

Malaysia’s central bank kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged, as expected, as strong economic growth and mild inflation gave policymakers room to remain on hold.

Swiss Inflation Jumps on Higher Energy Prices

Swiss inflation jumped in August, reversing several months of cooling price growth as renewed tensions in the Middle East pushed global energy costs higher.

Bank of Canada Keeps Rate Steady as Inflation Worries Intensify

The central bank left its main interest rate unchanged at 2.25%, and said the escalating trade conflict between the U.S. and Canada threatens to add to inflation.

A jittery Treasury market and the prospect of Fed rate increases risk making life more expensive for already cost-pressured Americans

A jittery Treasury market and the prospect of Fed rate increases risk making life more expensive for already cost-pressured Americans.

Private-Sector Hiring Slowed in August

Private companies added a net 38,000 jobs in August, after adding a revised 46,000 jobs in July, ADP said. August saw the slowest pace of job creation since January.

Reserve Bank of New Zealand Delivers Further Rate Increase

RBNZ raised interest rates, warning that risks for higher inflation remain in play for the economy.

A Fed governor says the central bank should act if inflation doesn’t improve soon. The Treasury secretary says high energy prices are a shock the Fed should look past.

U.S. Job Openings Rose in July as Hiring Ticked Down

The report shows yet another signal of a low-hire, low-fire labor market that stretches back to at lease last year. Available positions rose slightly to 7.3 million in July from 7.2 million in June.

Bank of Canada Expected to Remain On Hold as Trade Conflict With U.S. Escalates

The Bank of Canada is widely expected to keep its main interest rate unchanged on Wednesday as policymakers assess the fallout from a stark deterioration in Ottawa-Washington trade ties.

Global Bond Yields Surge as Oil Prices Fuel Inflation Worries

Global bond yields surged as renewed tension between the U.S. and Iran reinforced inflation expectations, which increased the prospect of interest-rate hikes in the coming months.

South Korea’s Exports Extend Chip-Led Growth in August

Semiconductors, which account for more than a third of South Korea’s exports by value this year, continued to drive the gains.

German Inflation Rises But Few Signs of Energy-Shock Spillover

Inflation picked up in Germany this month, though less than expected, with few signs of broader price pressures in the economy despite conflict in the Middle East keeping upward pressure on energy costs.

10d ago Read more →

The young rent-stabilized tenants of New York City represent a rare breed of their generation. A few of them opened their doors to The Wall Street Journal.

How hard is it to land a rent-stabilized apartment in NYC? Just the mention can “turn heads in rooms.”

10d ago Read more →

Many small and medium-sized Canadian business owners expect to bear the brunt of the Trump administration’s tariffs

Honey, cosmetic and other exporters now face 50% levies.

11d ago Read more →

Scientists monitoring data from satellites and ocean buoys declared the onset of El Niño in June. It is shaping up to be among the strongest in living memory.

The weather phenomenon is already roiling industries, from shipping to copper to fish feed.

12d ago Read more →

The pace of job growth was probably slightly weaker than reported from early 2025 through early this year, the Labor Department said Friday

The revised numbers show a slightly weaker labor picture than previously reported for the year that ended in March.

China is flooding the world with cheap exports and an accord to revalue its currency may be the only solution, writes @greg_ip

China is flooding the world with cheap exports. An accord to revalue its currency might be the only solution.

Labor unions are threatening to withhold support of politicians joining the data-center construction backlash

Trade unions threaten to withhold support for politicians, joining the popular backlash against the construction.

The U.S.-Canada trade war. The war in Iran. Surging bond yields. The global economy, to some surprise, has taken it all in its stride.

Growth is holding up despite renewed tensions over trade, geopolitics and bond markets, though the AI boom’s outsize role is a growing concern.

U.S. Home Price Growth Rose in June

The S&P Cotality Case-Shiller National Home Price Index rose 1.5% in the 12 months through June, compared with a 1.2% increase in May.

16d ago Read more →