* Oil prices in focus as Brent crude tops $90 a barrel. * CPI on Wednesday to give February inflation view. * Weak jobs report for February also weighs on stocks. * VIX volatility index hits highest level since April 2025. By Lewis Krauskopf.
Tax the rich. Such are the rallying calls of many of today's most heated economic debates. Smith knew nothing of Donald Trump or tech billionaires when he railed against trade protectionism and extreme affluence in "The Wealth of Nations", the best-read economics book in history, which celebrates its 250th birthday on Monday.
* 'Wealth of Nations' marks 250th anniversary on March 9. * Debate over legacy of Smith's ideas continues. * But his ideas on trade, wealth, labour still resonate. By Mark John. Tax the rich. Such are the rallying calls of many of today's most heated economic debates.
BEIJING, March 8, 2026 China's GDP is expected to grow by over 6 trillion yuan in 2026, equivalent to the total annual GDP volume of a developed economy, Zheng Shanjie, head of the National Development and Reform Commission, the country's top economic planner, told a press conference on the sidelines of the fourth session of the 14th National People's Congress in Beijing on Friday.
BEIJING, March 7, 2026 ?A news report from China.org.cn on China's new efforts on further opening up: ? The year 2026 marks the beginning of China's 15th Five-Year Plan period. For years, China has been the largest contributor to world economic growth. Sharing opportunities and pursuing common development has long been China's approach.
China's central bank kept purchasing gold for a 16th straight months, with its holdings totalling 74.22 million fine troy ounces by the end of February, versus the previous month's 74.19 million. The value of China's gold reserves stood at $387.59 billion at the end of last month, up from $369.58 billion a month earlier, data from the People's Bank of China showed on Saturday.
China's foreign exchange reserves rose to $3.428 trillion at the end of February, central bank data showed on Saturday, as the dollar took a reprieve after a months-long decline. The country's foreign exchange reserves, the world's largest, matched a Reuters poll forecast of $3.4 trillion and were up from $3.399 trillion at the end of January.
China gold reserves rose to 74.22 million fine troy ounces at the end of February from 74.19 million a month earlier, data from the People's Bank of China showed on Saturday.
China's foreign exchange reserves rose to $3.428 trillion at the end of February from $3.399 trillion a month earlier, central bank data showed on Saturday, as the dollar took a reprieve after a months-long decline.
BEIJING, March 6, 2026 GDP growth of 4.5 percent to 5 percent, while striving for better results in practice - this is one of the main development targets for this year outlined in the Government Work Report. Economic growth targets have long attracted close attention.
Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland President Beth Hammack said on Friday that while she expects inflation pressures to moderate, if they are not easing later this year the U.S. central bank may have to weigh tighter monetary policy to ensure price pressures retreat to 2%. "My expectation has been that inflation would start making progress towards our 2% target.
* Fed's Hammack says too soon to say what oil shock means for economy. * Hammack says rate hike may be on table if inflation does not ease. * Hammack wants confidence inflation easing before cutting again. By Michael S. Derby.
* US equity indexes fell this week as oil prices continued to rise due to energy disruption fears and surprise February jobs data. * The S&P 500 closed at 6,740.02 on Friday versus 6,878.88 a week ago.
Restaurant Brands International after trade Friday said New York Stock and Bond has made an unsolicited mini-tender offer to buy up to 100,000 shares, or about 0.03% of the company's shares, at US$43.60 per share. The offer price is about 34.9% below the US$66.99 closing price on Jan. 30, the company said, warning shareholders that the offer is "significantly" below the market price.
Restaurant Brands International said Friday that it is recommending that its shareholders reject New York Stock and Bond's unsolicited mini-tender offer. Restaurant Brands said it has been informed of a mini-tender offer made by New York Stock and Bond to buy up to 100,000 of its shares, or about 0.03% of its outstanding shares, at $43.60 per share.
Michael Eisenga, CEO of 1st American Properties, today issued the following commentary in response to the February 2026 U.S. Employment Situation Report, which revealed an unexpected decline in job growth and raised new concerns about economic momentum. The report showed nonfarm payrolls declining by 92,000 jobs, a surprise contraction in a labor market economists widely expected to expand.
Federal Reserve policymakers are expected to hold short-term borrowing costs steady at their March 17-18 meeting, as they did in January, even as they weigh what the Iran conflict, higher oil prices, still-high inflation and a weakening labor market mean for policy at subsequent meetings.
New analysis from UMIP Inc. highlights how the absence of persistent identity systems for infrastructure assets may be creating one of the largest hidden inefficiencies in the global built environment. DALLAS, March 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ --?Vehicles have?Vehicle Identification Numbers??that follow them throughout their lifecycle. Buildings do not have VIN numbers.
* Middle East conflict raises oil prices, affecting South Africa's inflation outlook. * South African Reserve Bank to redraft risk scenarios for March 26 meeting. * Rand's exchange rate impact on inflation more significant than oil price changes, Kganyago says. By Karin Strohecker.
MIAMI, March 6, 2026 Restaurant Brands International Inc. (QSR) has been notified of an unsolicited mini-tender offer made by New York Stock and Bond LLC to purchase up to 100,000 RBI common shares, or approximately 0.03% of the company's outstanding common shares, at a price of US$43.60 per share.
* S&P: UNITED ARAB EMIRATES RATINGS AFFIRMED AT 'AA/A-1+'; OUTLOOK STABLE. * S&P ON UAE: CURRENT EXPECTATIONS ARE THAT REGIONAL WAR--AND SEVERE THREATS TO UAE'S KEY INFRASTRUCTURE--WILL RECEDE AFTER A FEW WEEKS. * S&P ON UAE: SEES INTENSITY AND SCOPE OF IRANIAN MILITARY ACTION AGAINST UAE TARGETS TO REDUCE GROWTH, WEAKEN EXTERNAL, FISCAL PERFORMANCE IN 2026.
The Federal Reserve should hold its monetary policy steady for "some time" as it seeks evidence that inflation is cooling, Cleveland Fed President Beth Hammack and her Boston Fed counterpart, Susan Collins, said Friday. In January, the central bank's Federal Open Market Committee left its benchmark lending rate unchanged, citing stabilization in the labor market and elevated inflation.
"We are still not overly concerned about the effect of the geopolitical concerns on municipals ? in our view, the muni market is well insulated," said Barclays (BCS) strategists.
Financial stocks were lower in late Friday trading, with the NYSE Financial Index dropping 1.5% and the State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF falling 1.4%. The Philadelphia Housing Index was down 2.1%, and the State Street Real Estate Select Sector SPDR ETF shed 1%. Bitcoin was falling 4.2% to $67,932, and the yield for 10-year US Treasuries decreased 1.3 basis points to 4.13%. In econo...
Financial stocks were lower in late Friday afternoon trading, with the NYSE Financial Index dropping 1.5% and the State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF falling 1.4%. The Philadelphia Housing Index was declining 2.1%, and the State Street Real Estate Select Sector SPDR ETF shed 1%. Bitcoin was falling 4.2% to $67,932, and the yield for 10-year US Treasuries decreased 1.3 basis points to ...
AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A- and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Ratings of ?a-? of the rated operating subsidiaries of James River Group Holdings, Inc. [NASDAQ: JRVR]. In addition, AM Best has affirmed the Long-Term ICR of ?bbb-? of James River Group Holdings, Inc. The outlook of these Credit Ratings is negative.
* Weak jobs report shows nonfarm payrolls decreased by 92,000. * Fed rate cut expectations for June meeting grow. * 10-year and 2-year yields on pace for biggest weekly rise since April. By Chuck Mikolajczak.
KBRA assigns a long-term rating of A+ to the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission Turnpike Subordinate Revenue Refunding Bonds, First Series of 2026 and Turnpike Subordinate Revenue Refunding Bonds, Second Series of 2026.
As the FOMC enters its quiet period ahead of the March 17-18 meeting, the weak February employment report, which showed payrolls declines in the two of the last three months and an increase in the unemployment rate, only served to further divide members' views on the path of monetary policy.
The February employment report was weak amidst strikes and harsh winter weather, with payrolls down, the unemployment rate higher, and hourly earnings growth in line with the previous month. Nonfarm payrolls fell by 92,000 in February after a 126,000 gain in January and a 17,000 drop in December, both revised lower from their previous estimates.
Representatives from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago, BMO, Full Circle Communities, and community partners joined residents and local stakeholders on March 6 to celebrate the grand opening of Brainerd Senior Center, a newly rehabilitated affordable senior housing community on Chicago?s South Side. This press release features multimedia.
F/m Investments has introduced a mutual fund share class of its flagship US Treasury 3 Month Bill Fund ETF , creating a dual-share-class structure that allows investors to access the same strategy across brokerage and retirement accounts. The new mutual fund, TBFMX, mirrors the portfolio of TBIL, which invests in three-month U.S. Treasury bills.
South Africa's central bank will redraft its risk scenarios for its next rate-setting policy meeting as the widening Middle East conflict pushes up oil prices, the country's central bank governor told Reuters.
Argentina's industrial output fell 3.2% in January compared to the same month last year in non-seasonally adjusted terms, data from national statistics agency INDEC showed on Friday. January industrial output in South America's second-largest economy increased 3.1% compared to December last year in seasonally adjusted terms, according to the INDEC data.
Financial stocks were lower in Friday afternoon trading, with the NYSE Financial Index dropping 1.9% and the State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF falling 1.7%. The Philadelphia Housing Index was declining 2%, and the State Street Real Estate Select Sector SPDR ETF shed 1.1%. Bitcoin was falling 3.5% to $68,362, and the yield for 10-year US Treasuries decreased 3.1 basis points to 4.12%...
KBRA assigns a long-term rating of AAA with a Stable Outlook to the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York State Personal Income Tax Revenue Bonds Series 2026A and Series 2026B. Key Credit Considerations The rating actions reflect the following key credit considerations: Credit Positives. Credit Challenges. Rating Sensitivities For Upgrade. For Downgrade.
Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland President Beth Hammack said Friday she sees no imminent need to change the stance of monetary policy in an economy where inflation is still "too high."
Financial stocks were lower in Friday afternoon trading, with the NYSE Financial Index dropping 1.9% and the State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF falling 1.7%. The Philadelphia Housing Index was declining 2%, and the State Street Real Estate Select Sector SPDR ETF shed 1.1%. Bitcoin was falling 3.5% to $68,362, and the yield for 10-year US Treasuries decreased 3.1 basis points to 4.12%...
Federal Reserve Bank of Boston President Susan Collins said on Friday she sees no looming need to change interest rates, with the outlook for easing monetary policy contingent on a further retreat to the 2% inflation target.
* US-Israeli war with Iran hits trade flows, energy prices. * Conflict comes as world already reeling from US tariffs. * Sectors from consumer goods to speciality materials hit. * War could dent global GDP, cause billion-dollar hits to firms. By Ben Blanchard, Elisa Anzolin and Christoph Steitz.
Kansas City Federal Reserve President Jeff Schmid on Friday said he believes that the advent of artificial intelligence is leading some businesses to pause hiring even as an aging population is creating real structural change in the labor market. "Between fiscal policy and just the nature of the baby boomer class retiring out, we have a real structural thing going on," Schmid said.
* February job loss, surge in oil prices raise stagflation concerns. * Fed expected to hold rates steady at March meeting. * Investors bet on June rate cut amid economic uncertainties. By Howard Schneider and Ann Saphir.
Kazakhstan?s central bank formed a $350 million portfolio from gold and foreign exchange reserves for crypto-related investments starting April, focusing on crypto infrastructure companies and index funds rather than direct Bitcoin allocations. Governor Timur Suleimenov announced the investment program at a briefing on interest rates Friday.
KBRA releases the February 2026 issue of CMBS Trend Watch. Following a robust start to the year for commercial mortgage-backed securities private-label issuance, the momentum continued into February. In February, KBRA published pre-sales for 11 deals, including six SB, two CRE CLO, two conduits, and one small balance commercial.
* Equities fall in US and Europe as Iran war rages. * US jobs report shows loss vs expected gains. * Qatar energy minister warns oil could surge to $150. * Oil prices jump sharply, Treasury yields are mixed. By Sin?ad Carew and Harry Robertson.
US retail sales fell less than expected in January as extreme weather conditions impacted spending on motor vehicles and gasoline, delayed government data showed Friday. Sales were down 0.2% sequentially in January, following a flat reading the previous month, the Census Bureau said. The report was delayed due to the recent lapse in federal government funding, according to the Census Bureau.
In general the bond market is volatile, and fixed income securities carry interest rate risk. (As interest rates rise, bond prices usually fall, and vice versa. This effect is usually more pronounced for longer-term securities.) Fixed income securities also carry inflation risk and credit and default risks for both issuers and counterparties. Unlike individual bonds, most bond funds do not have a maturity date, so avoiding losses caused by price volatility by holding them until maturity is not possible.
Lower-quality debt securities generally offer higher yields, but also involve greater risk of default or price changes due to potential changes in the credit quality of the issuer. Any fixed income security sold or redeemed prior to maturity may be subject to loss.
Before investing, consider the funds' investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses. Contact Fidelity for a prospectus or, if available, a summary prospectus containing this information. Read it carefully.
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