Specialized search for economics

5+ min ago (763+ words) By Alun John and Naomi Rovnick LONDON, Dec 11 (Reuters) - Central banks in big economies are signaling a change of stance, with many now on hold after a long easing cycle, and policymakers flagging that their next moves, in time, could be rate hikes. The U.S. Federal Reserve is something of an outlier. It "cut rates this week, and markets still see more easing next year, but the Fed expects one further rate cut, so it too could be nearing the "end. Here's where central banks in 10 developed markets stand. The Swiss National Bank left its policy interest rate unchanged at 0% on Thursday, the lowest among developed-market central banks, and said the recent agreement to reduce U.S. tariffs "on Swiss goods had improved the economic outlook. Even though Swiss inflation is at zero as the strong safe-haven franc cheapens import costs, the bar…...

8+ min ago (306+ words) The cost of travelling on the London Underground is set to rise by 5.8% next year, the mayor of London has confirmed. The increase 1% above the rate of inflation and will come into force in March. The freeze in national rail fares announced last month will not apply to Transport for London services. Sir Sadiq Khan says he proposes to freeze the price of Travelcards until March 2027 which means the weekly and daily caps will not change, and fares on London buses and trams will not rise. The mayor said a rise equivalent to one percentage point above the RPI rate of inflation was a condition of the "2.2bn capital funding deal that TfL agreed with central government in the spending review in June. He said the freeze on bus and tram fares until July 2026 was "an emergency cost-of-living measure" funded by…...

19+ min ago (667+ words) December 11, 2025 " 11:38 am EST The'S&P 500 Index ($SPX) (SPY) today is down by -0.34%,'the Dow Jones Industrials Index ($DOWI)'(DIA) is up by +0.59%, and the'Nasdaq 100 Index ($IUXX) (QQQ) is down by -0.89%.' December E-mini S&P futures (ESZ25) are down -0.34%, and December E-mini Nasdaq futures (NQZ25) are down -0.92%. Stocks have underlying support from a jump in weekly jobless claims to a 3-month high, which knocked bond yields lower.' The 10-year T-note yield is down -4 bp to 4.11%.' US weekly initial unemployment claims rose by +44,000 to a 3-month high of 236,000, showing a weaker labor market than expectations of 220,000. The US Sep trade deficit unexpectedly shrank to -$52.8 billion versus expectations of a widening to -$63.1 billion and the smallest deficit in 5.25 years. The markets are discounting a 22% chance that the FOMC will cut the fed funds target range by 25 bp at the January 27-28 FOMC meeting. Q3 corporate earnings season…...

22+ min ago (173+ words) Founded in 2004, Seeking Alpha is an industry-leading financial research platform powered by one of the world's largest investing communities. We bridge the gap between financial information and actionable insight by providing unrivaled coverage on all asset classes and access to best-in-class tools. From in-depth analysis on thousands of stocks to timely investment ideas and market-beating Quant ratings*, Seeking Alpha is an essential resource for millions of investors globally. - The BlackRock Credit Allocation Income Trust offers a 9.31% yield, but underperforms peer multi-sector bond funds in both yield and five-year total return. - BTZ relies on leverage and active trading, with 76.64% investment-grade holdings, but covers distributions partly through unrealized gains, raising sustainability questions if market conditions turn. - Despite recent Fed rate cuts, persistent inflation limits upside for BTZ; bond price appreciation likely requires further Fed intervention or lower inflation. - BTZ trades at a…...

22+ min ago (652+ words) For the third meeting in a row, the Federal Reserve cut interest rates'a "hawkish" move in an effort to help a softening labor market. The 0.25% cut brought the interest rate range to 3.5% to 3.75%'but economists and housing experts warn that's not going to have the result for mortgage rates potential homebuyers were hoping for. Chen Zhao, the head of economics research at Redfin, wrote in a Wednesday post that the Fed's December interest-rate cut won't move mortgage rates "because markets have already priced it in." The Federal Reserve controls the federal funds rate, which is a rate that banks charge each other and is more closely tied to credit cards, personal loans, and home-equity lines. A standard 30-year mortgage, on the other hand, is a long-term loan, and the pricing of those loans are tied more closely to yields on…...

24+ min ago (311+ words) The fast food chain noted "further signs of improvement" throughout the current year Burger King UK has announced ambitious plans to open 30 new restaurants annually from 2026, despite navigating a "challenging" economic landscape marked by "softer" consumer sentiment and escalating labour costs. The fast-food chain, which currently boasts 574 outlets across the country, reported stronger revenues even amidst these difficulties. It noted "further signs of improvement" throughout the current year, partly attributing this to a slowdown in inflation. However, the company acknowledged that broader pressures on consumer finances and increased costs, influenced by last year's budget, continue to affect the UK hospitality sector. Nevertheless, Burger King remains committed to its ongoing expansion programme, with a focus on developing new company-owned sites. Alasdair Murdoch, chief executive of Burger King UK, said: "While inflation in food and utility costs has returned to more normal…...

27+ min ago (594+ words) SmartAsset reports holiday spending grew 7.75% in 2024, led by Nebraska (32%), while Vermont saw the largest decline at -8.2%. Holiday spending growth by state It's that time of year when many households assess their budgets surrounding holiday parties, gifting and sales events like Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Local businesses, ecommerce businesses, and even governments collecting associated sales tax benefit from these end-of-year purchases. To accommodate the seasonal surge in spending, businesses must often plan ahead to account for increased traffic to stores and attractions during this time of year, making it important to understand the trajectory of holiday spending trends. Across the US, retail spending increased 7.75% between the holiday season in 2023 and 2024, but this figure varies greatly from state to state. With this in mind, SmartAsset ranked U.S. states based on the year-over-year growth in retail spending across November and December 2024 and prior…...

27+ min ago (1534+ words) Mayor Brandon Johnson listens to comments during a City Council meeting at City Hall Nov. 15. No matter how or when Chicago's second straight budget stalemate ends, one thing is certain: the bond rating that determines city borrowing costs is in real danger of dropping just one notch above junk status. The political standoff that threatens to bring about a first-ever shutdown of city government is enough to trigger a drop from Wall Street rating agencies, whose grades are watched by investors craving certainty. Also factoring into a potential bond rating downgrade is the City Council's reluctance to raise property taxes, and Mayor Brandon Johnson's continued reliance on one-time revenues " including a record $1 billion tax increment financing surplus, scaled-back advance pension payments, and a push to borrow $449 million for firefighter back pay and police settlements. Another drop in Chicago's bond rating…...

30+ min ago (487+ words) The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) has cut U.S. interest rates by 25 basis points for the third consecutive meeting in 2025." This series of reductions aims to support economic growth amid rising unemployment and moderate inflation. Cheaper borrowing costs encourage businesses and individuals to spend and invest, including in riskier assets like cryptocurrencies. Markets reacted immediately, with equities and crypto showing brief rallies. However, retail traders experienced quick losses as larger holders capitalized on the surge." Bitcoin and Ethereum both displayed volatility, with Ethereum surging to $3,433 before falling back to $3,170. The pattern demonstrates how rate cuts can boost markets while retail traders often face short-term setbacks. The Fed's rate cut signals a continuation of gradual easing to sustain the economy." Inflation remains above the long-term target of 2 percent, while the labor market shows signs of softness. Each 25 basis point reduction is designed…...

40+ min ago (797+ words) The'S&P 500 Index ($SPX) (SPY) today is down by -0.27%,'the Dow Jones Industrials Index ($DOWI)'(DIA) is up by +0.99%, and the'Nasdaq 100 Index ($IUXX) (QQQ) is down by -1.05%.' December E-mini S&P futures (ESZ25) are down -0.29%, and December E-mini Nasdaq futures (NQZ25) are down -1.01%. Stocks have underlying support from a jump in weekly jobless claims to a 3-month high, which knocked bond yields lower.' The 10-year T-note yield is down -4 bp to 4.11%. 'Also, a +3% rally in Visa shares today is boosting the Dow Jones Industrial Average. US weekly initial unemployment claims rose by +44,000 to a 3-month high of 236,000, showing a weaker labor market than expectations of 220,000. The US Sep trade deficit unexpectedly shrank to -$52.8 billion versus expectations of a widening to -$63.1 billion and the smallest deficit in 5.25 years. The markets are discounting a 24% chance that the FOMC will cut the fed funds target…...