Wall Street Has a New Fear: The Bond MarketWall Street’s attention is shifting toward the bond market as long-term US borrowing costs climb into territory not seen for nearly two decades.
Euro Area Job Vacancies DeclineThe euro area job vacancy rate declined to 2.1% in the second quarter of 2026, according to Eurostat, signaling a gradual slowdown in demand for new workers.
Europe’s Trade Surplus Gets a LiftThe Eurozone trade surplus widened to €14.2 billion in July 2026, its highest level since October 2025, as exports grew faster than imports.
Energy Costs Keep U.S. Inflation ElevatedU.S. consumer prices increased 0.4% month-on-month in August 2026, accelerating from a 0.1% rise in July. Annual headline inflation remained unchanged at 3.4%.
ECB Raises Rates by 25 Basis PointsThe European Central Bank raised interest rates by 25 basis points at its September 2026 policy meeting, marking its second increase since the outbreak of the US-Iran conflict.
Trump’s $5,000 “Dividend” Revives the Populism DebateDonald Trump’s proposal for a $5,000 direct cash payment before the midterm elections is stirring debate in the US over both its economic and political implications.
Chinese Banks’ Interest Margins Hit a Record LowChinese banks’ net interest margin (NIM) has fallen to around 1.4% in 2026, its lowest level on record.
Could the Gold Standard Make a Comeback?The combined M2 money supply of the world’s four major central banks stands at roughly $100–102 trillion.
