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Fed Faces First Interest Rate Decision Under New Trump Administration

The Federal Reserve is expected to maintain current interest rates at its first policy meeting since Donald Trump's return to office. The decision, due Wednesday at 2 p.m. ET, comes amid recent statements from President Trump advocating for lower rates. Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos via video call, Trump expressed his intention to push for immediate rate reductions, both domestically and internationally. His comments continue a pattern of publicly discussing monetary policy, breaking from the traditional presidential practice of maintaining distance from Fed decisions. The economic landscape has shifted significantly since Trump's previous term ended in 2021. Current indicators show inflation at 2.9% as of December, above the Fed's 2% target but considerably lower than during the post-pandemic period. The job market remains resilient, with unemployment at 4.1% in December, while consumer spending continues to show strength. […]

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Federal Spending Review Halts Government Assistance Programs

The White House has initiated a temporary pause on federal grants, loans, and other government assistance programs, according to an internal Office of Management and Budget (OMB) memo obtained and verified by CBS News. Acting OMB Director Matthew Vaeth instructed federal agencies to review their financial assistance programs to ensure alignment with current administration priorities. The directive requires agencies to suspend both new awards and disbursements under existing programs, with notable exceptions for Medicaid and Social Security benefits. The memo specifically addresses funding related to foreign aid, nongovernmental organizations, diversity initiatives, gender programs, and environmental projects. Agencies must report their paused programs by February 10, with an immediate deadline of 5:00 PM EST for implementing the suspension. Congressional Democratic leaders, including Senator Patty Murray and Representative Rosa DeLauro, responded with a letter expressing "extreme alarm" about the directive's scope. Senate […]

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Japan’s Economic Shift: Central Bank Hikes Rates to Highest Level in Nearly Two Decades

The Bank of Japan (BOJ) has raised its short-term policy rate to "around 0.5 per cent", marking the highest borrowing cost in 17 years. This decision follows December's accelerated consumer price increases and signals a strategic economic adjustment. Official figures reveal core consumer prices in Japan rose 3% in December compared to the previous year. The rate hike, carefully communicated by BOJ Governor Kazuo Ueda, aims to minimize market disruption after the July increase that previously surprised global investors. Economists like Neil Newman from Astris Advisory Japan and Stefan Angrick from Moody's Analytics anticipate continued rate increases. Newman notes that rising wages, persistent inflation above 2%, and economic growth support further rate adjustments. Angrick expects another 25-basis point hike in six months. This move represents a significant departure from Japan's long-standing ultra-low interest rate policy. Last year's initial rate increase […]

Trump Economic Plans Could Trigger Global Market Meltdown IMF Warns
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Trump Economic Plans Could Trigger Global Market Meltdown IMF Warns

The International Monetary Fund has issued a warning about potential global economic impacts from upcoming US policies under President-elect Donald Trump. According to the IMF, proposed tariffs could escalate trade tensions, reduce investment, affect market pricing, and disrupt established supply chains. While acknowledging that tariffs, tax cuts, and deregulation might boost US economic performance initially, the organization cautions this could lead to an inflationary boom followed by a downturn, potentially weakening the reliability of US Treasury bonds as a safe investment. The IMF projects global growth at 3.3% for both 2025 and 2026, below the historical average of 3.7%. The 2025 forecast remains largely stable from previous predictions, with higher anticipated US growth offsetting lower growth expectations in other major economies. For the UK, the IMF projects 1.6% economic growth in 2025, slightly up from its October prediction of 1.5%, […]

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UK’s Borrowing Costs Soar to 16-Year High as Chancellor Jets Off to China!

Chancellor Rachel Reeves faces crucial financial decisions as UK borrowing costs reach their highest level in 16 years, according to former Bank of England deputy governor Sir John Gieve. Reeves, who committed to not borrowing for day-to-day spending and reducing debt relative to national income, must now navigate between increasing borrowing, raising taxes, or reducing public spending. The UK's 10-year borrowing costs have climbed to levels not seen since 2008, while the pound has dropped below $1.22 against the dollar. Unlike typical scenarios where higher borrowing costs strengthen the pound, analysts suggest broader concerns about the UK economy affect sterling's value. The Treasury has maintained that markets continue to operate normally, ruling out emergency intervention. The global rise in government borrowing costs stems from investor concerns about U.S. economic policies and inflation risks. Sir John Gieve noted that UK yields […]

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Legal Dispute Unfolds Between General Hydrocarbons Limited and First Bank of Nigeria

General Hydrocarbons Limited (GHL), the operator of OML 120 in Deep Offshore Nigeria, has addressed its ongoing legal dispute with First Bank of Nigeria Limited (FBN), highlighting their complex business relationship. According to a statement released Friday by GHL Board Chairman Nduka Obaigbena, the companies entered into a Subrogation Agreement whereby GHL provided financial assistance to FBN, helping address its Non-Performing Loans (NPLs). This partnership subsequently enabled the exploration and development of OML 120. The collaboration has faced challenges, with GHL alleging that FBN breached obligations under both the Subrogation and Tripartite Agreements. The matter is currently being addressed through court proceedings and arbitration. While GHL reports obtaining a favorable court judgment, they state that FBN has not complied with the ruling. GHL maintains its financial stability and operational capability, citing achievements in oil and gas discoveries. The company acknowledges […]

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Steel Giant’s CEO Makes Desperate Appeal to Trump After Biden’s $15B Deal Rejection

The $15 billion acquisition of U.S. Steel by Japan's Nippon Steel has hit a significant roadblock after President Biden blocked the deal, citing national security concerns. Following the decision, both companies have initiated legal action against the administration. U.S. Steel CEO David Burritt has turned to President-elect Donald Trump, hoping for a different outcome under the incoming administration. During a CNBC interview, Burritt expressed optimism about Trump's potential business-oriented perspective on the deal, despite Trump's opposition to the acquisition. The deal has garnered mixed responses from stakeholders. Twenty mayors and community leaders from Pennsylvania and Indiana supported the acquisition in a December letter. However, United Steelworkers International opposed the deal and welcomed Biden's decision to block it. Burritt defended the acquisition's merits, stating that any national security concerns could be addressed. He argued that the deal would strengthen national security, […]

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Judge Freezes Border Wall Material Sales in Surprise Legal Victory

A federal judge in Texas has blocked the Biden administration from selling unused border wall materials, a decision that former President Donald Trump has praised as a victory. The ruling comes after Trump filed a legal brief last week opposing what he called "fire sales" of the materials to private parties. The decision by Judge Drew Tipton follows recent legislation passed by Congress as part of the National Defense Authorization Act. This law required the Biden administration to dispose of unused border wall materials, but specified that they could only be sold or donated to southern border states for maintaining existing barriers, not building new ones. Trump announced the court decision on his social media platform, TruthSocial, where he claimed the ruling would lead to an investigation into the sales. He also expressed gratitude to Texas and Missouri for their […]

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This ONE Stock Made Regular Investors BILLIONS in 2024

Retail investors have demonstrated unprecedented interest in Nvidia throughout 2024, with individual traders investing approximately $30 billion into the semiconductor company's stock, according to Vanda Research data as of December 17. The chipmaker has attracted nearly twice the net inflows from retail investors compared to the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY), positioning it to surpass Tesla as the most popular retail investment of the year. The company's stock has gained over 180% in 2024, cementing its position among companies with market capitalizations exceeding $3 trillion and becoming the second-most valuable company in the United States. Individual investors like Michael MacGillivray, 25, from Michigan, have been drawn to Nvidia's dominant position in artificial intelligence. "Whenever you look at AI, it's like, all the roads lead to Nvidia," said MacGillivray, who has invested thousands of dollars in the company this year. […]

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Fed’s Rate Cut: A Delicate Balance of Economic Caution

The Federal Reserve is set to lower borrowing costs, implementing a quarter-percentage-point reduction that brings the benchmark policy rate to the 4.25%-4.50% range. This move represents a significant shift from the tight monetary policy established to combat inflation that began in 2021. The anticipated rate cut comes with considerable uncertainty. Inflation remains above the Fed's 2% target, and the economy continues to grow faster than initially expected. The potential economic impacts of new administration policies add further complexity to the Federal Reserve's decision-making process. Investors are now more conservative in their rate cut predictions, expecting potentially only half a percentage point reduction next year. The Fed's upcoming projections and Chair Jerome Powell's press conference will provide crucial insights into the central bank's economic outlook. In September, Fed officials had projected cutting the benchmark rate to around 3.4% by the end […]

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