ECONOMY & MARKETS

Cranes at an industrial port are seen in front of Mount Fuji in Tokyo, Japan, February 17, 2022.

Japan Business Mood Worsens For 2nd Quarter Amid Rising Costs

Japanese big manufacturers' business confidence soured for a second straight quarter in the three months to June, a central bank survey showed on Friday, hit by rising input costs and supply disruptions caused by China's strict COVID-19 lockdowns.
More news
European Union flags flutter outside the EU Commission headquarters in Brussels, Belgium May 5, 2021.

EU Agrees To Curb Takeovers By State-backed Foreign Firms

EU states and lawmakers on Thursday agreed to rules to put a brake on state-backed foreign firms acquiring EU companies with annual turnover of 500 million euros ($520 million), underlining a more protectionist approach against a possible Chinese buying spree.
People shop in a supermarket as rising inflation affects consumer prices in Los Angeles, California, U.S., June 13, 2022.

U.S. Consumer Spending, Underlying Inflation Slow In May

U.S. consumer spending rose less than expected in May as motor vehicles remained scarce while higher prices forced cutbacks on purchases of other goods, another sign that the rebound in economic growth early in the second quarter was losing steam.
A symphony of light consisting of bars, lines and circles in blue and yellow, the colours of the European Union, illuminates the south facade of the European Central Bank (ECB) headquarters in Frankfurt, Germany, December 30, 2021.

Recession Fears Creep Into ECB Thinking At Summer Conference

European Central Bank policymakers put on a brave face at their annual gathering in the hills above the Portuguese capital and forecast further economic expansion despite looming gas shortages, but in private conversations recession fears were increasingly dominant.
A man wearing a protective mask amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, looks at a board displaying the Japanese yen exchange rate against the U.S. dollar outside a brokerage in Tokyo, Japan June 16, 2022.

Markets In H1: The Almost Perfect Storm

Investors knew that, after two years of COVID-19 chaos, 2022 would be a bumpy ride, but nobody expected this - the most turbulent first half global markets have ever seen.
Men wearing protective masks amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, use mobile phones in front of an electronic board displaying Japan's Nikkei index outside a brokerage in Tokyo, Japan June 16, 2022.

Asian Shares Suffer Painful Quarter, Dollar In Rude Health

Asian shares were ending a rough quarter in a sombre mood on Thursday amid fears central banks' cure for inflation will end up sickening the global economy, though it is proving to be a fillip for the safe-haven dollar and government bonds.
Men wearing protective masks amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, use mobile phones in front of an electronic board displaying Japan's Nikkei index outside a brokerage in Tokyo, Japan June 16, 2022.

Asian Shares End Quarter In Sombre Mood, Dollar On High

Asian shares were ending a rough quarter in a sombre mood on Thursday amid fears central banks' cure for inflation will end up sickening the global economy, though it is proving to be a fillip for the safe-haven dollar and government bonds.

Pages

IBT Spotlight

We Help Businesses Find B2B Service Providers They Can Trust.