Russia has passed a law allowing its central bank and other financial institutions to operate their own defence systems and arm staff to repel drone attacks, a document published by the lower house of parliament showed.
The U.S. dollar, long stuck in a tight trading range, could be in for a break higher as the Federal Reserve shifts its focus to fighting worrisome signs that inflation is heating up. In the first half of last year, the dollar slumped nearly 11%. Since then, it has settled into a narrow trading range, frustrating both those anticipating deeper losses and those hoping for a meaningful rebound.
Euro zone banks need to invest more in cybersecurity if they are to get a grip on new AI models that can find flaws in software, the European Central Bank's outgoing Vice President Luis de Guindos said on Wednesday.
Societe Generale in its early Wednesday economic news summary pointed out: -- Brent offered inside a weekly range. -- The Reserve Bank of New Zealand holds OCR at 2.25%, MPC split 3-3, Governor Breman casts deciding vote for no change. -- Australia April consumer price index slows more than forecast to 4.2% year over year from 4.6% in March, core up a tick at 3.4% following temporary fuel tax cut.
The Hungarian forint
firmed on Wednesday after the country's central bank
left rates on hold and as investors looked ahead to a potential
deal on releasing European Union funds.
Euro zone banks need to invest more in cybersecurity if they are to get a grip on new AI models that can find flaws in software, the European Central Bank's outgoing Vice President Luis de Guindos said on Wednesday.
Top brokerages expect the benchmark S&P 500 index to extend its rally in 2026, even as the months-long Middle East conflict disrupts global energy flows and drives inflation higher. Strategists at major investment banks expect AI momentum and strong corporate earnings to offset the conflict's short-term economic impact.
The world may need to find a way to get by on less oil and gas if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed much longer due to the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran, Dallas Federal Reserve President Lorie Logan said on Wednesday. Iran has throttled shipping through the strait during the three-month conflict, forcing up energy, food and fertilizer prices.
The world may need to find a way to get by on less oil and gas if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed much longer dueto the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran, Dallas Federal Reserve President Lorie Logan said on Wednesday. Iran has throttled shipping through the strait during the three-month conflict, forcing up energy, food and fertilizer prices.
London copper prices rose to a near two-week high on Wednesday, as lower oil prices eased fears of inflation and slowing economic growth, while aluminium steadied near its highest level in more than four years on supply concerns. Three-month copper on the London Metal Exchange was up 0.3% at $13,660.50 a metric ton by 0701 GMT, after hitting its highest since May 15 earlier in the session.
Pressures on central bank independence are likely to grow as public dissatisfaction over supply-shock-driven inflation may tempt politicians to assign blame to central banks, former Federal Reserve executive Donald Kohn said on Wednesday.
By Stefano Rebaudo Euro zone government bond yields fell on Wednesday after rising the previous day, as investors continued to expect two European Central Bank rate hikes this year amid uncertainty over U.S.-Iran tensions. Money markets are pricing the ECB deposit rate at 2.59% by December, up from the current 2% but down from the 2.75% level priced in last week.
* Public discontent may tempt politicians to blame central banks. * Pressure on central bank independence to grow. * Kohn calls for clear communication, less reliance on models. * Central banks must focus on creating economic narratives. By Leika Kihara.
Japanese government bond yields fell on Wednesday as the market awaited clearer signals for whether the Bank of Japan will raise interest rates as early as June, while improved appetite for debt supported the super long end.
* U.S. inflation risks higher than risk of worsening job market. * Most of recent US data showing inflationary risks are higher. * Far too soon to predict timing of next Fed policy shift. * Iran war sent 'inflationary shockwave' globally that may persist. By Leika Kihara.
A look at the day ahead in European and global markets from Rocky Swift. While markets appear to be looking past the Middle East crisis and the havoc it has wreaked on energy supplies, central bankers are signalling that the inflationary damage is already done. Share markets in Japan and South Korea surged to fresh records, riding AI optimism that sent U.S. benchmarks to all-time highs.
A look at the day ahead in European and global markets from Rocky Swift. While markets appear to be looking past the Middle East crisis and the havoc it has wreaked on energy supplies, central bankers are signalling that the inflationary damage is already done. Share markets in Japan and South Korea surged to fresh records, riding AI optimism that sent U.S. benchmarks to all-time highs.
* Iran says US violated ceasefire agreement. * US Secretary of State says Iran deal could take a few days. * US PCE data due on Thursday. By Pablo Sinha. Gold prices edged lower on Wednesday as investors assessed ongoing tensions between the U.S. and Iran, and awaited comments from Federal Reserve officials for monetary policy clues. Spot gold was down 0.1% at $4,502.25 per ounce, as of 0412 GMT.
London copper prices rose to a near two-week high on Wednesday, as lower oil prices eased fears of inflation and slowing economic growth, while aluminum hovered near its highest level in more than four years on supply concerns. Three-month copper on the London Metal Exchange was up 0.5% at $13,688.50 a metric ton by 0334 GMT, after hitting its highest since May 15 earlier in the session.
* RBNZ holds rates at 2.25% in split decision; governor casts deciding vote. * RBNZ warns rates may go up sooner and by more than expected to counter energy shock. * Markets price in tighter policy path as inflation outlook worsens. * NZ dollar jumps, swaps up 5 basis points as traders brace for hikes ahead. By Stella Qiu and Lucy Craymer.
New Zealand's central bank held rates steady on Wednesday, but a split vote underscored a knife-edge decision, as policymakers warned rates will need to rise sooner and by more than expected to counter an energy shock rippling through the global economy.
Gold ticked up on Wednesday, supported by a weaker dollar, as investors looked for signs of progress in peace negotiations between the United States and Iran and assessed the U.S. Federal Reserve's monetary policy outlook. FUNDAMENTALS. * Spot gold rose 0.2% at $4,516.76 per ounce, as of 0051 GMT. * The dollar eased, making greenback-priced bullion more affordable for holders of other currencies.
* Central bankers signal inflation concerns. * Japan's Nikkei hits record after Wall Street gains on AI optimism. * New Zealand dollar subdued ahead of expected central bank rate hold. By Rocky Swift Asian shares rose while oil prices remained elevated on Wednesday as markets looked for signals that a shaky truce between the United States and Iran will be extended.
Russia has passed a law allowing its central bank and other financial institutions to operate defence systems and arm staff to ward off drone attacks without special forces involvement, a document published by the lower house of parliament showed on Tuesday.
Viridian Therapeutics (VRDN) said on Tuesday it has signed a manufacturing agreement with WuXi
Biologics (WXIBF) to support commercial supply of its experimental drug if approved. * WuXi
Biologics (WXIBF) will make and supply both the drug substance and final product for veligrotug, Viridian's treatment for thyroid eye disease, a condition that causes eye swelling and vision problems.
* Dollar rises against euro and Swiss franc. * Iran says U.S. has violated ceasefire after fresh U.S. attacks. * Prospect of Strait of Hormuz reopening had lifted risk appetite. * Safe-haven dollar finds favour as investors turn more cautious. By Chibuike Oguh.
* U.S. strikes in Iran spark renewed Middle East. * Strait of Hormuz shipping remains restricted, some tankers pass amid ongoing risks. * U.S. consumer confidence dips as inflation fears rise due to Iran conflict. * U.S. futures fall, catching up to Brent's Monday selloff. By Scott DiSavino.
The Conference Board's Consumer Confidence Index fell to 93.1 in May from a 93.8 reading in April due to a decline in the present situation that was offset by an increase in the expectations index. The Conference Board cited the negative impact of the war in the Middle East as a key factor. The Dallas Federal Reserve's manufacturing reading rose to 0.4 in May from minus 2.3 in April.
US consumer confidence fell in May amid mounting inflation concerns as the Middle East conflict has stretched for about three months now, a survey by the Conference Board showed Tuesday. The consumer confidence index ticked down to 93.1 this month from April's upwardly revised reading of 93.8. The consensus was for a 92 print in a Bloomberg survey.
* Consumer confidence index decreases 0.7 points to 93.1 in May. * Share of consumers viewing jobs as not plentiful at highest level since 2021. * Consumers' write-in responses on factors affecting the economy continued to skew towards pessimism. By Lucia Mutikani.
* Canadian dollar falls 0.1% against the greenback. * Trades in a range of 1.3800 to 1.3821 per U.S. dollar. * Price of oil declines 2.6% * Bond yields rise across the curve. By Fergal Smith. The Canadian dollar edged lower against its U.S. counterpart on Tuesday as investors weighed comments by a senior Bank of Canada policymaker and looked ahead to quarterly GDP data at the end of the week.
* Brent crude oil rose more than 4% * US Personal Consumption Expenditures data due on Thursday. * UBS lowers year-end gold price target. By Anjana Anil. Gold fell more than 1% on Tuesday, pressured by bets of higher U.S. interest rates this yearas renewed U.S. military strikes on Iran dampened hopes for a peace deal, pushed up oil prices and revived inflation concerns.
* Iran says U.S. has violated ceasefire after fresh U.S. attacks. * Dollar rises against Euro and Swiss franc. * Prospect of Strait of Hormuz reopening had lifted risk appetite. * Safe-haven dollar finds favour as investors turn more cautious. By Chibuike Oguh.
The Dallas Fed's monthly manufacturing index rebounded to a reading of 0.4 in May from minus 2.3 in April, compared with expectations for a smaller increase to a reading of 0.0. The index indicates a return to expansion which is in line with the New York Fed, Kansas City Fed and the S&P global flash measures but in contrast with the Philadelphia Fed index that suggested contraction.
The Bank of Canada released several reports on Monday, which underpin their macro estimates, said Rosenberg Research. The BoC published three detailed assessments on major economic questions: the neutral rates of interest in Canada and the United States, Canada's potential growth rate, and the potential growth rate globally.
U.S. consumer confidence eased in May as worries about inflation linked to the war in Iran intensified and households' views of the labor market were largely pessimistic, though they anticipated an improvement by the end of this year.
U.S. consumer confidence eased in May as worries about inflation linked to the war with Iran intensified, offsetting an improvement in households' perceptions of the labor market, a survey showed on Tuesday. "Consumer confidence edged downward in May as the inflationary impacts of the war in the Middle East intensified," said Dana Peterson, chief economist at the Conference Board.
The Conference Board's measure of consumer confidence fell to 93.1 in May from 93.8 in April, still above a reading of 92.0 expected in a survey compiled by Bloomberg as of 7:30 am ET. The present situation reading fell to 121.2 from 124.4, while the expectations reading increased to 74.4 from 73.4. The current assessments of both employment and business conditions deteriorated in April.
Wall Street lenders are urging the Federal Reserve to formalize recent supervisory changes to reduce the risk of future policy reversals, Reuters reported Tuesday, citing people familiar with the matter. Banks want clearer legal backing for the Fed's shift to an "observations" framework, citing concerns over legal ambiguity and potential future policy reversal, according to the report.
Confidence Dipped Slightly as Price Shocks from Middle East Conflict Persist NEW YORK, May 26, 2026 The Conference Board?Consumer Confidence Index??dipped 0.7 points to 93.1 in May, down from an upwardly revised 93.8 in April.
* Brent crude oil rose more than 3% * US Personal Consumption Expenditures data due on Thursday. * UBS lowers year-end gold price target. By Anjana Anil. Gold fell more than 1% on Tuesday on bets of higher U.S. interest rates this year, with U.S. military strikes on Iran dialing back hopes of a peace deal, elevating oil prices, and bringing inflation concerns to the forefront.
Most of Bank of Canada Deputy Governor Nicolas Vincent's Tuesday speech in Quebec was devoted to highlighting the weakness in the country's labor market, including the 'low-hire, low-fire nature', the elevated youth unemployment and the record average length of joblessness amongst those looking for work, said Royce Mendes over at Desjardins.
The Bank of Canada on Tuesday said structural changes in the labor market were making its job more complicated adding that if it reacted wrongly, inflationary pressures could rise. Deputy governor Nicolas Vincent said that while the central bank could handle the impact of cyclical forces through changes in interest rates, deeper challenges were harder to control.
The persistence of energy price shocks will be a key factor guiding the European Central Bank's next policy decision, Dutch central bank chief Olaf Sleijpen said on Tuesday. Sleijpen reiterated that the ECB's objective at its next rate-setting meeting in two weeks remains price stability and that any decision will depend on how inflation dynamics evolve.
The Case-Shiller National Home Price index rose by 0.7% in March before seasonal adjustment following a 0.3% increase in February. National home prices were up 0.7% year-over-year, down from 0.8% in February.
The FHFA's measure of home prices rose by 0.1% in March after a revised 0.1% decrease in the previous month, as expected in a survey compiled by Bloomberg as of 7:30 am ET. Prices were up 1.7% from a year earlier in March. For Q1 as a whole, home prices rose by 0.5% from the previous quarter and were up 1.7% compared with the same quarter a year earlier.
The Canadian economy remains under pressure despite the resource sector's strong performance, as trade tensions with the United States continue to hold back non-resource exports, said National Bank of Canada.
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