Central Banking

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FILE PHOTO: The Federal Reserve building in Washington, U.S., January 26, 2022. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts/File Photo

The Fed Wants More Evidence Before Changing Rate Stance

Officials highlighted the risks of stronger-than-anticipated inflation and weaker-than-expected growth at their recent monetary-policy meeting.

Nick Timiraos

12 hours ago

4 min read

Shoppers in the Toronto Eaton Centre on Black Friday in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on Friday, Nov. 25. 2022. BlackÂ FridayÂ arrives as the traditional kickoff to Christmas shopping with year as a departure from 2021, when consumers splurged after pulling back during the pandemic. Photographer: Cole Burston/Bloomberg

Canada Inflation Continues to Ease

Inflation in Canada again cooled in October, continuing a trend that is likely to comfort central bankers and add weight to expectations that interest rates will hold steady near-term.

Robb M. Stewart

15 hours ago

4 min read

FILE PHOTO: An employee works on an assembly line at startup Rivian Automotive's electric vehicle factory in Normal, Illinois, U.S. April 11, 2022. REUTERS/Kamil Krzaczynski/File Photo

The Hidden Hero Fueling Soft-Landing Hopes: A Boost in Supply

Rising labor force, productivity lowered inflation despite still-strong growth, taking pressure off the Fed to raise rates.

Nick Timiraos

November 19, 2023

5 min read

A pedestrian shelters from the rain beneath an umbrella as they walk near the Bank of England in the City of London on November 10, 2023. Britain's economy stagnated in the third quarter, official data showed Friday, weighed down by elevated inflation and interest-rate hikes. (Photo by Daniel LEAL / AFP) (Photo by DANIEL LEAL/AFP via Getty Images)

U.K. Inflation Drops Sharply, Likely Ending Rate Hikes

The U.K.’s annual rate of inflation fell more sharply than expected in October as household energy prices tumbled, the latest sign that a two-year surge in consumer prices across Europe is running out of steam as the continent’s economy flatlines.

Paul Hannon

November 15, 2023

4 min read

This photo taken on October 7, 2023 shows fruit and vegetables for sale at the entrance to a local supermarket in a shopping precinct in Tokyo. Household consumption in Japan fell in August for a sixth month in a row (adjusted for inflation), with wages remaining lackluster, according to government figures published on October 6. (Photo by Richard A. Brooks / AFP) (Photo by RICHARD A. BROOKS/AFP via Getty Images)

Japan’s Economy Shrinks for First Time in Three Quarters

Japan’s economy contracted for the first time in three quarters in the July-September period on sluggish spending by domestic consumers and companies.

Megumi Fujikawa

November 15, 2023

2 min read