News

Posted on March 22, 2024 by James Miller

Amid ongoing food inflation, Americans across all income brackets increasingly turn to Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) services to manage grocery and takeout expenses. Last year, an estimated 15 million consumers, representing 6.5% of the U.S. population, utilized BNPL plans for food purchases. This is a trend that is expected to continue as food prices […]

Posted on March 22, 2024 by James Miller

Canada’s inflation rate dropped to its lowest since June last month, catching analysts off guard and sparking increased speculation about a possible interest rate cut in June 2024. The annual inflation rate fell to 2.8% in February, below the 3.1% analysts had expected. Meanwhile, the consumer price index (CPI) rose by only 0.3% from the […]

Posted on March 21, 2024 by James Miller

Gold prices surged to a new record of $2,220.89 an ounce in early trading, propelled by speculation over the Federal Reserve’s current policy stance, which appears to lean towards accommodating market conditions rather than preemptively combatting inflation. Since mid-February, gold has experienced a robust rally, gaining more than 10% as investors anticipate more inflation. Chris […]

Posted on March 20, 2024 by James Miller

American households and industries are experiencing economic relief as US natural gas prices plummet to a four-year low, significantly reducing energy costs.  This drop has led to a notable decrease in consumer gas bills, with a 9% drop in February compared to the previous year, contributing to a broader easing of inflationary pressures.  Specifically, the […]

Posted on March 19, 2024 by James Miller

The dollar rose higher on Monday as the world anticipates key decisions from central bank meetings across the United States, Japan, Britain, and other nations. This includes the Bank of Japan potentially ending its negative interest rates and the Federal Reserve’s rate cut projections. The U.S. dollar index, a measure against six major currencies, increased […]

Posted on March 18, 2024 by James Miller

Despite inflation concerns, Taiwan’s central bank may keep its policy interest rate at 1.875% during its quarterly meeting this Thursday, March 21.  Economists in a Reuters poll anticipate this decision amidst rising consumer prices, with a possible rate cut projected only from the second quarter of 2025. Central Bank Governor Yang Chin-Long recently highlighted the […]

Posted on March 15, 2024 by James Miller

SoftBank of Japan is considering an investment in Mistral AI, a French artificial intelligence startup. The investment could value the company at over $2 billion. Mistral AI, established by veterans of Meta and Google, aims to challenge U.S. dominance in artificial intelligence. The startup received a substantial $415 million funding round in December.  SoftBank’s potential […]

Posted on March 14, 2024 by James Miller

Saudi Arabia is taking a significant leap in the gaming and esports industry by unveiling two new venture funds. The funds were announced during the LEAP 2024 technology conference in Riyadh, which wrapped up on March 7. The initiative, a collaboration between the National Development Fund (NDF) and the Social Development Bank (SDB), aims to […]

Posted on March 12, 2024 by James Miller

The labor market is witnessing a remarkable shift as the participation and influence of older Americans surge significantly. In 2023, nearly 20% of Americans aged 65 and older hold jobs, roughly double the figure from 35 years prior. They command higher wages, too, with median hourly earnings of $22 in 2022, up from $13 in […]

Posted on March 11, 2024 by James Miller

In response to increased U.S. sanctions, Russian oil tankers are moving away from the Liberian and Marshall Islands flags. Notably, the flag administration companies for Liberia and the Marshall Islands are based in Virginia, placing them directly in U.S. regulatory jurisdiction. The U.S. Treasury Department recently sanctioned 41 oil tankers for breaching a $60 per […]