Frequent Financial

Markets Rally as Cooling Jobs Data Cements December Rate Cut Bets

Wall Street ended the week higher as investors responded to a labor report that suggests the economy is decelerating without crashing. The S&P 500 reclaimed ground after Friday data showed the U.S. labor market is cooling faster than anticipated. This effectively clears the path for a rate

OPEC+ Extends Output Cuts as Oil Prices Slide to Four-Year Lows

OPEC+ agreed on Sunday to extend oil production cuts through March 2026. The move attempts to arrest a slide in energy markets. Global crude benchmarks have declined for four consecutive months. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) dipped below $59 per barrel, a level unseen since the post-pandemic recovery began. Why this

Consumer Strength on Trial as Markets Brace for Holiday Test

Global markets settled into a holding pattern following a tech-led sell-off. Investors have shifted focus from the Federal Reserve to the American household. The upcoming Black Friday sales will confirm if consumer spending is slowing down or maintaining durability in the face of persistent inflation. Why this matters Frugal fatigue

Markets Tumble as Rate Cut Hopes Fade and AI Bubble Fears Grow

Global markets slid this week. Investors reacted to diminishing expectations for a U.S. interest rate cut in December and concerns over the artificial intelligence sector. The Nasdaq dropped over two percent with losses extending to European and Asian markets. Why this matters Rate cut reassessment Hopes for a December

Global Markets Lifted by Shutdown Optimism, but Structural Headwinds Remain

Global equities rallied on November 9. Markets responded positively to signals that the U.S. government shutdown might be nearing an end. Major economic institutions simultaneously warned that growth is decelerating and policy fragmentation is increasing. Why this matters Relief meets risk The uptick is driven by hope that the

U.S. Seeks Wider Global Adoption of the Dollar

U.S. officials are advancing policies to expand the international footprint of the dollar. Recent analysis backed by the IMF shows the dollar remains central to global finance. However, Washington is actively exploring how to encourage more countries to adopt the currency amid shifting geopolitical dynamics. Why this matters Strategic

U.S. September CPI Shows Modest Inflationary Pressures

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics released the September 2025 Consumer Price Index (CPI) on October 24. The index increased 0.3% on a seasonally adjusted basis. The all-items index has risen 3.0% over the last 12 months. This is an uptick from the 2.9% recorded in

International Monetary Fund Warns of Elevated Market Risks

The IMF October 2025 Global Financial Stability Report warns that underlying vulnerabilities are elevated despite calm markets. The Fund highlights three interlinked risks: stretched asset valuations, the influence of non-bank financial institutions (NBFIs), and rising sovereign bond market pressures. Why this matters Valuation risk Risk-asset prices are well above fundamentals.