Jerry Lin
The Latest
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Eurozone Growth Slows to 0.1% as German Output Contracts, U.S. Tariffs Weigh on Outlook
Eurozone economic growth slowed sharply in the second quarter of 2025, expanding just 0.1% over the previous quarter as Germany's economy contracted and the early-year boost from tariff front-loading faded. The figure, reported Wednesday by Eurostat, outperformed analysts' flatline forecast but underscored growing pressure from U.S. trade policy. 
Eurozone economic growth slowed sharply in the second quarter of 2025, expanding just 0.1% over the previous quarter as Germany's economy contracted and the early-year boost from tariff front-loading faded. The figure, reported Wednesday by Eurostat, outperformed analysts' flatline forecast but underscored growing pressure from U.S. trade policy. -
Fed Expected to Hold Interest Rates Steady Despite Trump's Public Push for Deep Cuts
The Federal Reserve is expected to keep interest rates unchanged on Wednesday, holding firm in the face of escalating pressure from President Donald Trump, who has called for drastic cuts despite inflation risks. The decision comes just days after Trump made a rare visit to the Fed's Washington headquarters, demanding rates be slashed from the current 4.25%-4.5% range to as low as 1%. 
The Federal Reserve is expected to keep interest rates unchanged on Wednesday, holding firm in the face of escalating pressure from President Donald Trump, who has called for drastic cuts despite inflation risks. The decision comes just days after Trump made a rare visit to the Fed's Washington headquarters, demanding rates be slashed from the current 4.25%-4.5% range to as low as 1%. -
ECB Holds Interest Rates at 2% as Trade Uncertainty Over Trump Tariffs Clouds Economic Outlook
The European Central Bank left its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 2% on Thursday, pausing after eight consecutive rate cuts amid heightened uncertainty surrounding U.S. trade policy and President Donald Trump's escalating tariff threats against European goods. The decision reflects the ECB's growing caution over economic volatility tied to ongoing negotiations between Brussels and Washington, with tariffs potentially ranging from 10% to as high as 50%. 
The European Central Bank left its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 2% on Thursday, pausing after eight consecutive rate cuts amid heightened uncertainty surrounding U.S. trade policy and President Donald Trump's escalating tariff threats against European goods. The decision reflects the ECB's growing caution over economic volatility tied to ongoing negotiations between Brussels and Washington, with tariffs potentially ranging from 10% to as high as 50%. -
U.S. Home Sales Drop 2.7% in June as Prices Hit Record High and Mortgage Rates Stay Elevated
Sales of existing homes in the United States fell sharply in June to a nine-month low as high borrowing costs and record prices continued to sideline buyers. The National Association of Realtors reported Wednesday that home sales dropped 2.7% from May to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 3.93 million units, missing analysts' expectations for a more modest 0.7% decline. Year-over-year, sales were unchanged. 
Sales of existing homes in the United States fell sharply in June to a nine-month low as high borrowing costs and record prices continued to sideline buyers. The National Association of Realtors reported Wednesday that home sales dropped 2.7% from May to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 3.93 million units, missing analysts' expectations for a more modest 0.7% decline. Year-over-year, sales were unchanged. -
Yen Rises as Japanese PM Vows to Stay On Despite Election Blow; Markets Eye U.S. Tariff Deadline
The Japanese yen strengthened on Monday after Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba pledged to remain in office despite his ruling coalition's loss of a majority in the country's upper house. The development, while politically destabilizing, had largely been priced in by investors, who now turn their focus to looming trade deadlines, particularly with the United States. 
The Japanese yen strengthened on Monday after Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba pledged to remain in office despite his ruling coalition's loss of a majority in the country's upper house. The development, while politically destabilizing, had largely been priced in by investors, who now turn their focus to looming trade deadlines, particularly with the United States. -
Oil Prices Climb as EU Slashes Russian Crude Cap to $47.60 in Sweeping Sanctions
Crude oil prices rose Friday as the European Union finalized a new sanctions package targeting Russia's energy sector, including a steep cut to the Group of Seven's price cap on Russian crude. Brent futures climbed 73 cents, or 1.05%, to $70.25 per barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate advanced 83 cents, or 1.23%, to $68.37. 
Crude oil prices rose Friday as the European Union finalized a new sanctions package targeting Russia's energy sector, including a steep cut to the Group of Seven's price cap on Russian crude. Brent futures climbed 73 cents, or 1.05%, to $70.25 per barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate advanced 83 cents, or 1.23%, to $68.37. -
U.S. Retail Sales Rise 0.6% in June, Beating Forecasts Amid Tariff Pressures
Retail sales in the United States rose by 0.6% in June, beating economists' expectations and signaling continued resilience among American consumers even as tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump begin to push up prices on everyday goods, according to Commerce Department data released Thursday. 
Retail sales in the United States rose by 0.6% in June, beating economists' expectations and signaling continued resilience among American consumers even as tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump begin to push up prices on everyday goods, according to Commerce Department data released Thursday. -
U.S. Producer Prices Flat in June Despite Tariff Pressures, Easing Fears of Near-Term Inflation Spike
The U.S. producer price index (PPI) remained unchanged in June, confounding economist expectations and signaling that tariff-related pressures on goods prices may be offset-for now-by softness in the services sector. The report, released Wednesday by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, showed no change in both headline and core wholesale inflation, compared to forecasts of a 0.2% increase. 
The U.S. producer price index (PPI) remained unchanged in June, confounding economist expectations and signaling that tariff-related pressures on goods prices may be offset-for now-by softness in the services sector. The report, released Wednesday by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, showed no change in both headline and core wholesale inflation, compared to forecasts of a 0.2% increase. -
China Posts 5.2% Q2 Growth as Exports Rebound, But Deflation and Youth Unemployment Persist
China's economy grew 5.2% in the second quarter from a year earlier, slightly above expectations, as exporters capitalized on a temporary trade truce with the United States. But fresh concerns about domestic demand, persistent deflation, and rising unemployment signal that momentum may be difficult to sustain without additional policy support. 
China's economy grew 5.2% in the second quarter from a year earlier, slightly above expectations, as exporters capitalized on a temporary trade truce with the United States. But fresh concerns about domestic demand, persistent deflation, and rising unemployment signal that momentum may be difficult to sustain without additional policy support. -
China’s Exports Surge 5.8% in June, Rare Earth Shipments Hit Record as Tariff Deadline Looms
China's exports surged 5.8% in June compared to a year earlier, defying expectations and setting a brisk pace for global shipments as Chinese firms rushed to beat the next round of U.S. tariffs set to take effect in August. According to Chinese customs data released Monday, the country's rare earth exports soared 60.3% to a record high of 7,742 tons, as buyers scrambled to secure critical materials ahead of new trade restrictions. The positive trade figures boosted China's CSI 300 index by 0.22% and lifted sentiment across Chinese financial markets. 
China's exports surged 5.8% in June compared to a year earlier, defying expectations and setting a brisk pace for global shipments as Chinese firms rushed to beat the next round of U.S. tariffs set to take effect in August. According to Chinese customs data released Monday, the country's rare earth exports soared 60.3% to a record high of 7,742 tons, as buyers scrambled to secure critical materials ahead of new trade restrictions. The positive trade figures boosted China's CSI 300 index by 0.22% and lifted sentiment across Chinese financial markets.
