Observe. Think. Chat. Do. Trade. Repeat…
China’s economic landscape is facing mounting challenges as exports to the United States plummet and consumer prices decline, sparking fears of deflation. The latest trade data reveals that Chinese exports to the U.S. fell by 34.5% in May 2025, marking the sharpest drop in over five years. This decline comes despite a temporary trade truce …
The latest OECD report presents a cautious outlook for the UK economy, predicting slower growth amidst global uncertainties and domestic fiscal challenges. The UK’s GDP is projected to grow by 1.3% in 2025 and 1% in 2026, reflecting a slight downward revision. According to the OECD, trade tensions, particularly U.S. tariffs, are disrupting global supply …
Continue reading “Debt and trade issues weaken UK growth – so says the OECD”
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has sharply downgraded its U.S. growth forecast, citing economic uncertainty and the impact of President Donald Trump’s tariff policies. The OECD now expects the U.S. economy to expand by just 1.6% in 2025 and 1.5% in 2026, a significant cut from its previous estimate of 2.2% for …
Continue reading “OECD cuts U.S. growth forecast amid Trump’s tariff chaos”
As global trade tensions escalate, many investors and analysts are questioning whether markets are too complacent about the long-term effects of tariffs on corporate earnings. While some argue that businesses have adapted to protectionist policies, others warn that the S&P 500’s earnings growth could face significant headwinds. Tariffs: A hidden threat to profit margins Tariffs …
Continue reading “Are we underestimating the impact of tariffs on S&P 500 earnings growth?”
China’s economy showed signs of slowing in April 2025, with both retail sales and industrial output missing expectations. Retail sales grew 5.1% year-on-year, falling short of analysts’ forecasts of 5.5% growth. The slowdown reflects weak consumer sentiment, driven by deflationary pressures and uncertainty in the housing market. While categories like gold and jewellery (+25.3%) and …
The U.S. stock market surged as investors cheered a breakthrough in trade negotiations between Washington and Beijing. The rollback of tariffs, announced as part of a new trade agreement, sent the S&P 500, Dow Jones Industrial Average, and Nasdaq Composite soaring. The deal, which slashes ‘reciprocal’ tariffs on both sides, is seen as a major …
Continue reading “Trump tariff roll-back – a win for China? U.S. markets rejoice the ‘deal’”
In a surprising breakthrough, the United States and China have agreed to suspend most tariffs on each other’s goods for 90 days, marking a significant step toward easing trade tensions between the world’s two largest economies. Following high-stakes negotiations in Geneva, representatives from both nations announced that reciprocal tariffs would be slashed from 125% to …
Continue reading “U.S. and China agree 90-day ‘reciprocal’ tariff pause and reduction deal”
Despite the weight of U.S. tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump, China’s export sector has shown remarkable resilience, posting an 8.1% increase in April 2025 compared to the previous year. This surge comes as a surprise, surpassing economists’ expectations of a modest 1.9% rise. While China’s outbound shipments to the U.S. plunged by over 21%, …
Continue reading “China’s Exports Defy Tariff Pressures, Surge 8.1% in April”
Global markets have shown resilience in the past three days, rebounding from recent downturns as technology stocks rally amid cautious optimism. The boost in investor confidence follows strong earnings reports from major tech firms, highlighting their ability to weather economic uncertainty. However, lingering concerns about international trade tensions raise questions about how sustainable this recovery …
Is this a fair ‘take’ on the last weeks tariff turmoil? President Trump’s tariffs have left a significant mark on global trade and financial markets, creating waves that continue to shape global economic dynamics. The tariffs, initially aimed at reducing the U.S. trade deficit and protecting domestic industries, triggered a rollercoaster ride for stock markets …
The United States has intensified its tariff policies, marking a significant shift in global trade dynamics On 4th March 2025, President Donald Trump announced a sweeping increase in tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, raising them to 25% across the board. This move, aimed at bolstering domestic industries, has sparked widespread reactions both domestically and …
Trump pauses tariffs on Mexico and Canada amid China’s retaliatory measures In a surprising turn of events, President Donald Trump announced a 30-day pause on tariffs targeting Mexico and Canada, just as China introduced retaliatory tariffs on a range of U.S. goods. This move comes amidst escalating trade tensions and a looming threat of a …
Continue reading “Trumps tariffs impact – what a difference a day makes!”
The UK economy contracted by 0.3% in April 2025, a sharper decline than the 0.1% forecast by economists, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The unexpected downturn has raised fresh concerns about the country’s economic resilience amid rising costs and global trade tensions. April’s contraction was driven by a combination of domestic and …
President Donald Trump’s recent criticism of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell has sent shockwaves through the financial markets, reigniting concerns about the central bank’s independence. On Monday 21st April 2025, Trump took to social media to publicly call Powell a ‘major loser’ and demanded immediate interest rate cuts, warning of an economic slowdown if his …
Continue reading “U.S. stocks slide again as Trump publicly criticises Fed Chair Powell”
The stock market experienced another sharp Trump tariff related downturn Wednesday 16th April 2025, driven by a tech-heavy sell-off continuing to rattle investors. The Nasdaq Composite plunged by 3%, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average shed nearly 700 points, marking one of the most significant declines in recent months. Concerns over tariffs and inflation were …
Gold has reached a historic milestone, breaking the $3,000 per ounce barrier for the first time in history This remarkable surge reflects a confluence of global economic uncertainties, geopolitical tensions, and shifting investor sentiment. The rally has been fueled by a variety of factors. Central banks worldwide have significantly increased their gold reserves, seeking a …
The S&P 500 has officially entered correction territory, marking a significant shift in market sentiment The index, widely regarded as a benchmark for the health of large U.S. companies, has fallen over 10% from its February 2025 peak. This downturn follows a series of escalating trade tensions, with President Donald Trump announcing a 200% tariff …
China has unveiled plans for 2025, announcing a 7.2% increase in defence spending alongside a GDP growth target of around 5% These decisions, revealed during the annual National People’s Congress in Beijing, reflect the nation’s strategic priorities amid a challenging and fast changing global landscape. The 7.2% rise in defence spending mirrors last year’s increase, …
Global markets have been thrown into turmoil following the announcement of sweeping tariffs by U.S. President Donald Trump U.S. tariffs, which include a 25% levy on imports from Canada and Mexico and a 10% increase on Chinese goods, have sparked fears of a global trade war. Retaliatory measures from Canada and China have only added …
Continue reading “Global markets slide into chaos as Trump pushes his ‘America First Agenda’”