Malawi's central bank left its main lending rate unchanged at 24% on Thursday, saying the decision should help inflation fall further and restore economic stability. * The donor-dependent Southern African nation has been mired in an economic crisis, struggling to control inflation which has been above 20% in annual terms for more than three years.
There was nothing at all hawkish about the Bank of Canada press statement on Wednesday, said Rosenberg Research. There was no surprise that the policy rate was held at 2.25% for the third meeting in a row, but the tone was very measured in what can only be described as a carefully worded statement, Rosenberg noted.
* Markets slightly trim 2026 ECB rate hike bets. * ECB leaves rates unchanged, flags trade-offs. * Rate-sensitive bond yields fall as oil drops. By Harry Robertson and Amanda Cooper.
The Canadian economy continued its decent start to the year with February gross domestic product climbing 0.2%, as expected, said Bank of Montreal after Thursday's data. Strength came in manufacturing, transportation/warehousing and wholesale trade, or up 0.9% month over month.
Major central banks left interest rates unchanged this week but warned that they could raise them soon to prevent a jump in energy prices, caused by the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran, spilling over into a surge in broader inflation.
* Major central banks hold rates this week. * Dissent on Fed, as three disagree with "easing bias" * Markets anticipate ECB, BoE rate hikes this year. By Stefano Rebaudo and Alun John.
Canadian bond yields fell following Thursday's gross domestic product release to partly unwind the surge seen the day before in reaction to the perceived hawkish tone from the Bank of Canada, said CIBC.
* Treasury yields retreat as oil prices fall from recent highs. * Fed meeting signals more hawkish stance; rate-cut expectations reduced. * Mixed US economic data seen supporting Fed's cautious approach. By Karen Brettell.
Consumers Energy Co: * CONSUMERS ENERGY CO: FILES FOR OFFERING OF ONE PART FIRST MORTGAGE BONDS; SIZE NOT DISCLOSED Source text: Further company coverage:
AM Best has removed from under review with positive implications and upgraded the Financial Strength Rating to A from A- and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating to ?a+? from ?a-? of IQUW Re Bermuda Limited.
With population growth slowing, per-capita improvement is expected to continue, RBC said Thursday, while noting that on a quarterly basis, Canadian business activity remains broadly consistent with its base case for moderate expansion, with Q1 GDP tracking slightly higher than RBC's own forecast of 1.3% annualized GDP growth, as well as the Bank of Canada's 1.5% projection in its April Monetary...
NEW YORK, April 30, 2026 The Conference Board Leading Economic Index? for the US declined by 0.6% in March 2026 to 97.3, more than reversing its 0.3% increase in February to 97.9, up from 97.6 in January.
* Bank of England spells out inflation risks from Iran war. * Spot gold hit one-month low on Wednesday. * Gold under pressure near-term, but bullish medium-term - Citi. * Platinum gains over 4% By Ashitha Shivaprasad.
Today's GDP data showed Canada's economy remained on "shaky ground" through the first quarter of 2026, while today's payroll data "paint an even more fragile picture" of the economy, said Royce Mendes over at Desjardins.
Growth in U.S. labor costs increased slightly more than expected in the first quarter amid a jump in benefits, but wage growth was moderate against the backdrop of a softening labor market. The Employment Cost Index, the broadest measure of labor costs, advanced 0.9% last quarter after rising 0.7% in the October-December quarter, the Labor Department's Bureau of Labor Statistics said on Thursday.
Borrowing costs across the U.S. are set to remain elevated, as interest rates are expected to stay higher for longer. The Federal Reserve left its benchmark federal funds rate unchanged at 3.50%?3.75%, with Jerome Powell indicating policymakers are in no rush to begin cutting amid persistent inflation pressures. The decision extends a period of "higher-for-longer" policy.
U.S. inflation accelerated in March as the Iran war raised gasoline prices, bolstering financial market expectations that the Federal Reserve could keep interest rates unchanged well into next year.
U.S. inflation accelerated in March as the Iran war raised gasoline prices, bolstering financial market expectations that the Federal Reserve could keep interest rates unchanged well into next year.
* ECB leaves rates unchanged. * Rate-sensitive bond yields fall, euro dips. * Markets trim June ECB rate hike bets. By Harry Robertson and Amanda Cooper. Traders were feeling a tad less confident on Thursday that the European Central Bank would hike interest rates as early as June, as policymakers weigh the trade off between rising inflation and the hit to growth from higher energy prices.
Gold rose early Thursday as the dollar dropped after a report showed a key U.S. inflation measure rose last month while first-quarter gross domestic product rose less than expected. Gold for June delivery was last seen up $85.70 to US$4,647.20 per ounce, remaining within the US$200 range it has traded within for the past month.
* Bank of England MPC votes 8-1 to hold interest rates at 3.75% * BoE Chief Economist Huw Pill votes for rate hike to 4% * BoE sets out new inflation scenarios triggered by Iran war. * Inflation could exceed 6% in early 2027 if oil prices stay high. By William Schomberg, David Milliken and Suban Abdulla.
Editor?s note: This article was updated to add more details and context. U.S. economic activity expanded at an annualized rate of 2% in the first quarter, according to the advance estimate released Thursday. The reading marked an acceleration from the prior 0.5% pace but came in below economists' expectations for a 2.3% expansion.
Growth in the Canadian economy appears to have "reignited" in Q1, although "it still isn't running on all cylinders", said CIBC after Thursday's gross domestic product data. Monthly GDP data for February pointed to a 0.2% month-over-month increase, which was in line with the consensus forecast and the advance estimate, noted the bank.
Brazil's public sector gross debt exceeded 80% of gross domestic product in March as the country posted a wider-than-expected primary deficit of 80.68 billion reais for the month, central bank data showed on Thursday. * Economists in a Reuters poll expected a shortfall of 66.75 billion reais. * The result compares with a 3.6 billion real surplus in March 2025.
Following is the text of European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde's statement after the bank's policy meeting on Thursday: Link to statement on ECB website: https://www.ecb.europa.eu/press/press_conference/monetary-policy-statement/2026/html/ecb.is260430~f99cb123a8.en.html. Good afternoon, the Vice-President and I welcome you to our press conference.
By Jamie McGeever. From Tokyo to Washington, central bankers are becoming increasingly divided on how to handle the global energy shock. As Brent crude hits $120 a barrel - double where it was at the start of the year - policymakers' dilemma is clear. The preferred option appears to be sitting tight in the hope that the Iran war ends soon.
TAMPA, Fla. "In his final 18 months as chair of the Federal Reserve, Jerome Powell has practiced a quiet tolerance?of dissent on the Federal Open Market Committee," writes Bill Campbell, Portfolio Manager and Head of the Global Sovereign & Emerging Markets team at DoubleLine.
US economic growth, measured by gross domestic product, rose by 2.0% in Q1 after a 0.5% gain in Q4, slower than a 2.3% increase expected in a survey compiled by Bloomberg as of 7:35 am ET. Personal consumer expenditures rose by 1.6% after a 1.9% gain in Q4.
US equity futures were higher pre-bell Thursday as traders absorbed the latest round of financial results, including those of big tech, amid the Federal Open Market Committee maintaining its target rate. Dow Jones Industrial Average futures were 0.6% higher, S&P 500 futures were up 0.5%, and Nasdaq futures were 0.7% higher.
Canadian real gross domestic product was up 0.2% month over month in February, with goods-producing industries driving the growth for the second consecutive month, said the country's statistical agency on Thursday. February's GDP growth was perfectly in line with a consensus figure provided by MUFG.
The quarterly US employment cost index rose by 0.9% in Q1, faster than the 0.7% gain in the previous quarter, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics reported on Thursday. This was above the consensus estimate of a 0.8% gain in a survey compiled by Bloomberg as of 7:35 am ET.
The pound gained versus a weaker dollar as the Bank of England left rates unchanged and maintained a cautious, wait-and-see approach to the fallout from the Middle East conflict. The BoEset out scenarios for the economic impact of the Iran war, one of which could require a "forceful" increase in borrowing costs.
The number of Americans filing claims for jobless benefits dropped last week, and the unemployment rate appears to have held steady in April as the labor market continued to show no material impact from the U.S.-Israel war with Iran. Initial claims for state unemployment benefits fell 26,000 to a seasonally adjusted 189,000 for the week ended April 25, the Labor Department said on Thursday.
US initial jobless claims fell to a level of 189,000 in the week ended April 25 from an upwardly revised 215,000 level in the previous week, compared with expectations for an increase to 212,000 in survey of analysts compiled by Bloomberg. The four-week moving average declined by 3,500 to 207,500 after increasing by 1,000 to a level of 211,000 in the previous week.
The number of Americans filing claims for jobless benefits dropped last week, and the unemployment rate appears to have held steady in April as the labor market continued to show no material impact from the U.S.-Israel war with Iran. Initial claims for state unemployment benefits fell 26,000 to a seasonally adjusted 189,000 for the week ended April 25, the Labor Department said on Thursday.
U.S. economic activity expanded at an annualized rate of 2% in the first quarter, according to the advance estimate released Thursday. The reading marked an acceleration from the prior 0.5% pace but came in below economists' expectations for a 2.3% expansion.
* Four of Fed's 12 voters dissented on Wednesday, most in 34 years. * Warsh says 'family fight' dynamic improves Fed decision-making. * Warsh clears key hurdle on way to Fed chair post. * New chair may face calls for more hawkish language at first meeting. By Ann Saphir and Howard Schneider.
* Gross domestic product increases at a 2.0% rate, below expectations for a 2.3% pace. * AI-related spending powers business investment in equipment, intellectual property. * Consumer spending slows further as inflation erodes purchasing power. * Weekly jobless claims fall 26,000 to 189,000, lowest level since 1969. By Lucia Mutikani.
* Fourth consecutive positive growth for monthly GDP. * Good-producing sectors drove gains for second month in a row. * Manufacturing, wholesale trade, mining, oil and gas aid growth. * Agriculture, construction and public sector operations decline. By Promit Mukherjee.
Euro zone government bond yields dipped after the European Central Bank held interest rates at 2% on Thursday, helping them extend a fall caused by a retreat in oil prices from four-year highs.
Aerospace, manufacturing, and robotics give state an edge in capturing wealth AUBURN, Ala. "Geography will matter again," said Seals. Three Economic Markers Signal Transformation Three indicators signal industry transformation: falling costs, rising private investment, and converging technologies.
Canada will publish gross domestic product for February and preliminary March at 8:30 a.m. ET on Thursday, said Scotiabank. Canada's economy likely posted modest growth in February of 0.2% month-over-month seasonally, noted the bank.
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.
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