It is a daily ritual for millions of Australians, but if you have noticed the price of your morning flat white or soy latte increase, brace yourself — it is likely to get worse.
By the end of the year,...
It is a daily ritual for millions of Australians, but if you have noticed the price of your morning flat white or soy latte increase, brace yourself — it is likely to get worse.
By the end of the year,...
The Federal Reserve (Fed) decided not to lower interest rates at its Wednesday meeting, believing inflation remains too high. Inflation is currently 2.7%, above the Fed's target of 2%, and prices are not declining as quickly as hoped. Despite concerns about the economy slowing down, the Fed believes reducing inflation is a priority. The Fed also slightly eased its bond-buying limitations in a modest attempt to stimulate the economy.
The Federal Reserve won't make any changes to interest rates this week, keeping them at the current high level. The only news expected from the Fed's meeting is an announcement that it will reduce the amount of money it's withdrawing from its holdings. Despite strong inflation, the Fed is holding back on rate cuts until it's sure inflation is under control. The market now expects only one small rate cut by the end of next year.
The gold standard, dismissed in the past, is gaining attention again. Central banks are buying gold. Some cryptocurrencies are pegged to gold. Dissatisfaction with fiat currencies grows as global debt balloons. Zimbabwe has even pegged its new currency to gold. These events suggest a return to a gold-based monetary system could be on the horizon.
Despite aggressive interest rate hikes, inflation remains stubbornly high, exceeding the Federal Reserve's target of 2%. This persistence is due to factors such as excess consumer spending, persistent supply-chain bottlenecks, and a booming job market. As a result, the Fed may be forced to maintain elevated rates or even consider additional hikes, despite the risk of triggering a recession. The economic situation shows some signs of strain, but so far, a broader downturn has been averted.
The US economy is thriving despite slowing pandemic recovery, with low unemployment and high spending. However, this strength poses a challenge in addressing rising inflation. The IMF projects continued growth, higher than Europe's, but warns that overheating is a risk. To tackle inflation, the Federal Reserve will keep interest rates high, despite concerns, as the economy remains resilient and robust.
Economic growth slowed to 1.6% in the first quarter of 2024, below expectations. Meanwhile, inflation jumped to 3.4%, its highest rate in a year. Consumer spending also slowed, indicating consumers are starting to feel the pinch of rising prices. The report suggests the economy is facing challenges, with slower growth and higher inflation.
China's strict government control of the economy may lead to a surge in bond defaults next year. Despite low default rates, analysts worry that government actions to prevent defaults could create imbalances. Tech, consumer, and retail sectors remain vulnerable due to slowing growth. The real estate market's weakness, which has caused previous defaults, also remains a concern. Ultimately, the stability of the property market and Beijing's economic strategy will determine the likelihood of future bond defaults.
Investors should consider commodities due to global economic growth, particularly driven by China. Commodities like copper, gold, and energy are performing well, supported by demand and government spending. VanEck CEO Jan van Eck emphasizes the positive outlook for commodities, as evidenced by a recent increase in China's manufacturing activity and the momentum of copper prices.
The Federal Reserve (Fed) is monitoring inflation and using core PCE inflation as a key indicator. Despite a recent decline in inflation, core PCE inflation remains slightly above the Fed's target of 2%. The Fed's goal is to keep inflation around this level to maintain price stability. While inflation has shown no signs of returning to target, the Fed is cautiously optimistic that its current policy can address risks and support economic growth by adjusting interest rates as needed.
The US economy is not experiencing sufficient inflation to meet Federal Reserve goals. Therefore, interest rate cuts are unlikely. The current rate of inflation is above the Fed's target of 2%, and recent data suggests it will take longer than expected to achieve this goal.
The U.S. economy might face trouble in 2025 if the Federal Reserve (Fed) doesn't raise interest rates soon. Interest rate changes usually quickly affect the economy, but recently they have started to have an effect much later. So, if rates stay high until 2025, when many businesses and individuals will need to refinance their current debt, we might see more financial problems.
Inflation has persisted at 3.5% despite the Federal Reserve's target of 2%, leaving markets on edge. While the economy remains strong, the Fed prioritizes inflation control over interest rate cuts, posing a dilemma. Experts discuss the possibility of the Fed's policy being too loose, while others advise maintaining it due to inflation and financial risks. The ongoing inflation has resulted in falling real incomes, becoming a political challenge for the Biden administration as it affects consumers and households.
