Economy Fed's Powell leaves interest rates unchanged despite Trump demands The Fed left its key short-term interest rate unchanged for the fifth time this year, at about 4.3%, as was expected. 31/07/2025
Economy How much has monthly rent in European city centres changed since 2020? The eye-watering prices of rent in city centres across Europe keeps increasing, with only five European cities having average rents below €2,000 for a three-bedroom apartment, according to a new report from Deutsche Bank. 28/07/2025
Economy European Central Bank leaves key deposit rate unchanged at 2% The European Central Bank kept its benchmark interest unchanged, in line with analyst estimates. 24/07/2025
Economy Trump: 'Highly unlikely' to fire Fed Chair Powell, but looked into it President Donald Trump rocked Wall Street temporarily by saying he had “talked about the concept of firing” the head of the Federal Reserve, but was unlikely to do so, ”unless he has to leave for fraud”. 17/07/2025
Economy US inflation accelerates to 2.7% as Trump's tariffs start to bite Inflation rose last month to its highest level since February as President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs are pushing up the cost of a range of goods, including furniture, clothing, and large appliances. 15/07/2025
Economy China sees consumer price inflation in positive territory in June CPI inflation climbed into the green for the first time since January, although producer prices remain in deflationary territory. 09/07/2025
Business World Chocolate Day: The EU is celebrating with sky-high prices Prices in the cocoa market have dropped recently from record highs, but coupled with high energy costs, they have fuelled a double-digit increase in European retail prices compared to last year. 07/07/2025
Economy Lagarde says ECB 'will not rest' as eurozone inflation hits 2% in June Eurozone price pressures rose in line with expectations in June, reaching the ECB’s 2% target. ECB President Christine Lagarde struck a cautious tone in her opening remarks at the central bank’s annual symposium in Sintra. 01/07/2025
Economy Eurozone business activity stalls in June: Will the ECB cut again? Eurozone business activity stalled in June, with PMI data showing flat growth linked to weak services and manufacturing. Germany improved slightly, while France declined. Persistent service-sector cost pressures and renewed energy concerns may cloud ECB rate cut prospects. 23/06/2025
Economy Energy in Europe is also at stake as Israel-Iran conflict escalates As the Israel-Iran conflict escalates further, there is a mounting fear that natural gas fields are going to be targeted — as well as oil shipping routes. Europe’s liquefied natural gas supply would be seriously impacted, along with its economies. 20/06/2025
Economy Bank of England holds interest rates amid intensifying inflation risks As widely expected, the Bank of England kept interest rates on hold as fears grow that the conflict between Israel and Iran will escalate to involve the United States. This would likely send oil prices soaring and push UK inflation further above target. 19/06/2025
Economy Swiss central bank cuts interest rate to zero to fight deflation The step was widely anticipated but fuels concerns over a potential return to negative rates. 19/06/2025
Europe News Hundreds gather in Barcelona to protest southern Europe's overtourism Thousands protested against overtourism in southern Europe on Sunday. In Barcelona, demonstrators fired water pistols and set off smoke grenades. 15/06/2025
Economy US inflation rose slightly last month as grocery prices ticked higher Inflation remains stubbornly above the Federal Reserve’s 2% target, which makes it less likely that the central bank will cut its key short-term interest rate. 11/06/2025
Economy UK unemployment rises to a four-year high as firms cut back on hires Employers are hesitant to recruit more staff as they contend with a rise in payroll taxes and a bumped-up minimum wage. 10/06/2025
Economy Eurozone economy grows by 0.6%: Lagarde shuts door on July rate cut The eurozone gross domestic product grew by 0.6% quarter-over-quarter in the first quarter of 2025, marking the strongest pace of growth since late 2022. ECB's President Christine Lagarde hinted that a July pause in rate cuts may be warranted. 06/06/2025
Economy ECB lowers rates for the eighth time as trade tensions threaten growth The central bank lowered its benchmark interest rate by a quarter point, in line with analyst estimates. 05/06/2025
Business Bulgaria close to adopting the euro: What stands in the way? Bulgaria's government is pressing ahead with its plan to join the euro currency union, aiming to deepen European integration. 03/06/2025
Economy Eurozone inflation falls below ECB 2% target in May: Rate cut in sight Eurozone inflation fell to 1.9% in May, below forecasts, boosting expectations of an ECB rate cut on Thursday. Core inflation also eased to 2.4%. The euro slipped and bond yields fell as markets priced in a 25bp rate cut to 2.0%. 03/06/2025
Economy Which European countries are seeing taxes outpace real wage growth? While most European countries experienced higher real post-tax incomes in 2024, some saw a decline, as rises in personal average tax rates outpaced real wage growth. 03/06/2025