Analysis: Currencies

Trump housing plan to allow 401(k) money for down payments, adviser says

The Trump administration plans to allow investors to use some of their retirement funds to make a down payment on a house, White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett said on Friday, adding that more...

US manufacturing production rises on primary metals surge, outlook unclear

U.S. factory production unexpectedly increased in December amid a surge in primary metals output that offset a decline at motor vehicle assembly plants, but activity contracted in the fourth quarter...

White House adviser Hassett plays down probe of Fed chair Powell

White House adviser Kevin Hassett played down the federal criminal investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on Friday, saying he expected there would be nothing to see here. ...

US equity funds see largest weekly inflow in 3-1/2 months

U.S. equity funds witnessed sharp inflows in the week to January 14 on upbeat earnings expectations ahead of the fourth quarter earnings season, with investors brushing off concerns around geopolitics...

Poker-faced Powell may have ace up sleeve to stymie Trump's Fed shakeup

At 72, U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell has grandkids to play with, a golf game to get back to and a tune or two to master on the guitar. He also faces a choice: Whether to...

Some in BOJ see scope to raise rates sooner than markets expect, sources say

Some Bank of Japan policymakers see scope to raise interest rates sooner than markets expect with April a distinct possibility, as a sliding yen risks adding to already broadening inflationary...

Erosion of Fed independence would be 'credit negative' for US rating, Fitch says

A major erosion of the Federal Reserve's independence would be negative for the U.S. credit rating, Fitch's top sovereign analyst said on Thursday, with any sign that the dollar's top global currency...

Weekly US jobless claims fall unexpectedly, but labor market treading water

The number of Americans filing new applications for unemployment benefits unexpectedly fell last week, but the drop was likely due to ongoing challenges adjusting the data for seasonal fluctuations...

US lawmakers introduce bill to create $2.5 billion critical-minerals stockpile

A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers on Thursday introduced a bill to create a $2.5 billion stockpile of critical minerals, a move aimed at stabilizing market prices and encouraging domestic mining...

Canadian home sales fall 1.9% in 2025 on tariff shock

Canadian home sales posted an annual decline last year as sales and prices fell in December, data from the Canadian Real Estate Association showed on Thursday. Home sales fell 2.7% in...

BOJ to raise rates again to 1% or higher by end-September, possibly by July: Reuters Poll

The Bank of Japan will likely wait until July before raising its key interest rate again, economists say, with more than 75% of them expecting it to climb to 1% or higher by September from the current...

US economic activity mostly increased in recent weeks, Fed survey shows

Economic activity increased in most parts of the U.S. and employment was mostly unchanged in recent weeks, the Federal Reserve said on Wednesday in a report that may do little to sway policymakers'...

US producer prices increase moderately in November

U.S. producer prices picked up slightly in November amid a surge in the cost of gasoline, but businesses appeared to be absorbing some of the tariffs on imports, with trade margins compressing.  ...

Trump probe of Fed chair stresses need for global diversification

The criminal investigation into the Fed chair has reinforced the case for diversifying holdings beyond the United States for some investors as they worry about the ongoing independence of the central...

US new home sales fall marginally in October

Sales of new U.S. single-family homes fell slightly in October after increasing for two straight months, though declining prices amid still-elevated inventory could support the new housing market this...

Instant View: December rise in US consumer prices backs Fed pause this month

U.S. consumer prices increased in December, data showed on Tuesday, as the distortions related to the government shutdown that had artificially lowered inflation in the November unwound, cementing...

US consumer inflation increases steadily, but households paying more for food and rents

U.S. consumer prices increased in December, lifted by higher costs for rents and food as some of the distortions related to the government shutdown that had artificially lowered inflation in November...

Latest Trump move on Fed may have hit a tripwire, with a rally behind Powell

After years of berating Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, President Donald Trump's administration may have hit a tripwire in launching a criminal probe of the 72-year-old former investment banker,...

Global central bankers defend Fed's Powell after Trump threat

STORY: Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell received major support on Tuesday . The heads of many of the world's leading central banks issued a rare joint statement backing him. ...