Economy

Labor Department Proposes Safe Harbor to Let 401(k)s Include Private Assets

Labor Dept. proposes a safe harbor allowing 401(k)s to include private assets — from private equity to crypto — if fiduciaries follow specified vetting processes.

#retirement, #401k, #labor, #privateequity, #regulation

White House Analysis: Ban on Stablecoin Yields Would Add Only Modest Bank Lending

CEA research finds a federal ban on stablecoin yields would raise U.S. bank lending by about $2.1 billion under current conditions; worst‑case $531B.

#stablecoin, #banks, #regulation, #fintech

OPEC+ Inches Up Oil Production Amid Strait of Hormuz Crisis

OPEC and allies raise oil production quotas slightly, but war and shipping disruptions limit impact on soaring prices.

#opec, #oilprices, #stratiofhormuz, #energycrisis, #oilproduction

Federal Reserve Holds Rates Steady Amid Inflation Concerns and Middle East Uncertainty

The Fed keeps interest rates steady as inflation and geopolitical tensions in the Middle East create economic uncertainty and fuel price pressures.

#federalreserve, #interestrates, #inflation, #oilprices, #economy

U.S. Job Growth Surpasses Expectations Amid Economic Uncertainties in March 2026

The U.S. added 178,000 jobs in March, beating forecasts, but slower labor force growth and geopolitical risks temper optimism.

#jobgrowth, #labor, #economy, #unemployment, #inflation

Bank of England Holds Rates as Middle East War Drives Oil Above $100

BoE keeps Bank Rate at 3.75% after conflict involving Iran disrupts Hormuz shipping, lifting energy prices and reviving UK inflation risks.

#bankofengland, #interestrates, #inflation, #oilprices, #middleeast

Pakistan Braces for Double-Digit Inflation After Gulf Conflict Sends Oil Prices Surging

A record fuel-price hike tied to Middle East turmoil threatens to end Pakistan’s low-inflation streak, squeezing households and testing IMF-backed reforms.

#pakistan, #inflation, #oilprices, #imf, #middleeast

U.S. Job Openings Fall Below 7 Million as Hiring Hits Post-Pandemic Low, JOLTS Shows

Job openings slipped to 6.9 million in February and hiring fell to its slowest pace since April 2020, signaling a cooling U.S. labor market.

#jobs, #jolts, #federalreserve, #unemployment, #interestrates

ECB Holds Rates as Middle East Energy Shock Lifts Inflation Outlook, Weakens Growth

The ECB kept interest rates unchanged, warning that a Middle East-driven energy shock has pushed inflation risks higher even as eurozone growth slows.

#ecb, #interestrates, #inflation, #eurozone, #energy

Cooling Inflation Meets a New Oil Shock as Gas Prices Surge Toward $4

February CPI showed inflation near the Fed’s target. Then Middle East conflict jolted oil markets, pushing U.S. gas prices sharply higher.

#inflation, #gasprices, #federalreserve, #oil, #cpi

Fed Holds Rates, but Markets Start Pricing a New Risk: the Next Move Could Be a Hike

After the Fed held steady, an Iran-linked oil shock pushed futures markets to price fewer cuts—and a rising chance the next rate move is up.

#federalreserve, #interestrates, #inflation, #oil, #futures

China Sets Lowest Growth Target in Decades, Plans Record Bond Issuance to Steady Economy

Beijing targets 4.5%–5% GDP growth for 2026 and unveils record bond sales and spending, signaling slower, state-managed expansion.

#china, #gdp, #bonds, #fiscalpolicy, #centralbank

IMF lifts 2026 global growth forecast on AI investment, warns of debt and market risks

The IMF nudged its 2026 global growth forecast up to 3.3% on AI-driven investment, but warns high debt, frothy markets and aid cuts leave economies fragile.

#imf, #globaleconomy, #ai, #debt, #trade