Analysis: Currencies

US official says differences with India cannot be resolved overnight for deal

WASHINGTON -Differences between the U.S. and India cannot be resolved overnight to arrive at a trade deal, a senior U.S. official told reporters late on Thursday, citing geopolitical disagreements. ...

Irish manufacturing sees robust output growth in July, PMI shows

DUBLIN -Ireland's manufacturing sector maintained strong growth in July, with output levels rising for the seventh successive month despite facing increased input cost pressures, a survey showed on...

US weekly jobless claims rise marginally

WASHINGTON -The number of Americans filing new applications for unemployment benefits increased marginally last week, suggesting that the labor market remained stable, though it is taking longer for...

Trump again slams Fed chair Powell after rates hold

WASHINGTON -U.S. President Donald Trump again criticised Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell on Thursday, a day after the U.S. central bank held interest rates steady in a 9-2 vote. ...

Pound heads for worst month since 2022 budget crisis

LONDON -The pound headed towards its largest monthly loss against the dollar since September 2022 on Thursday, reflecting growing confidence among investors in the outlook for the U.S. economy and...

Brazil sees 35.9% of exports to US facing steeper tariff, pushes reversal for coffee

BRASILIA -Brazil estimates that 35.9% of its exports to the U.S. by value will be hit by a steep 50% tariff under a new executive order by Donald Trump's administration, Vice President Geraldo...

Key tariff plans for South Korea, Brazil and India

U.S. President Donald Trump said the U.S. would charge a 15% tariff on imports from South Korea, one of a number of such measures announced in the run-up to his August 1 deadline to impose such...

Russia's VTB reports drop in quarterly profit, raises full-year outlook

MOSCOW -Russia's second-largest lender VTB on Thursday reported a 10% year-on-year drop in second-quarter net profit to 139.2 billion roubles , as high interest rates squeezed the bank's net...

Cost of South African government borrowing falls as Reserve Bank targets lower inflation

JOHANNESBURG -South Africa's government borrowing costs dropped to their lowest in five years after the Reserve Bank announced on Thursday it would lower its inflation goal despite the finance...

Hungary's Orban pledges housing subsidies for public servants in pre-election push

BUDAPEST -Hungary plans to give public servants, including police and teachers, an annual 1 million forint housing subsidy, Prime Minister Viktor Orban announced as he gears up for a closely-fought...

Trump tariffs rattle India's markets, cloud growth outlook

MUMBAI -India's rupee plunged toward a record low and equity indexes declined on Thursday after U.S. President Donald Trump slapped steeper-than-expected tariffs on Indian goods, with analysts...

Fed's reticence on rate cuts forces market to rethink outlook

NEW YORK -The Federal Reserve's decision to avoid signaling imminent rate cuts despite relentless political pressure underscores its prevailing caution and has forced investors to dial back...

National Restaurant Association lobbies against US tariffs

The National Restaurant Association said it was extremely concerned about the possibility of new tariffs in a letter sent to U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on Tuesday. Trump...

BOJ turns less gloomy on economy, keeps rate-hike chance alive

TOKYO -The Bank of Japan revised up its inflation forecasts on Thursday and offered a less gloomy outlook on the economy than three months ago, keeping alive the possibility of a resumption in...

UK's Starmer, Oman's sultan agree to deepen ties in energy, defence and tech

LONDON -British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tariq al-Said agreed on Wednesday to deepen collaboration across energy, technology, defence and security, a Downing Street...

US yields climb as Fed's Powell uncertain about September easing

NEW YORK -U.S. Treasury yields rose on Wednesday after Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said it's too soon to say whether the central bank will cut its interest rate target in September. ...

Trump hits Brazil with tariffs, sanctions but key sectors excluded

SAO PAULO/BRASILIA -U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday slapped a 50% tariff on most Brazilian goods to fight what he has called a witch hunt against former President Jair Bolsonaro, but...

Fed policy decision generates most governor dissents since 1993

The Federal Reserve's decision to hold interest rates steady following the end of a two-day policy meeting on Wednesday generated the largest number of dissenting votes by governors at the U.S....

Fed leaves rates steady despite Trump pressure, gives no hint of September cut

WASHINGTON -The U.S. central bank held interest rates steady on Wednesday and Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's comments after the decision undercut confidence that borrowing costs would begin...