Canadian politics and its economy are in the spotlight following Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s resignation and escalating tensions with the United States. During his tenure, Canada faced stagnating productivity, rising household debt, and growing public dissatisfaction. Critics argue that Trudeau’s policies failed to address the country’s long-term economic challenges. Now,…
UK retailers are bracing for a significant cost increase in 2025, estimated at £7bn, due to higher employer national insurance contributions, the rise in the national living wage, and new packaging levies introduced in the government’s recent budget. The British Retail Consortium (BRC) and industry leaders have estimated an average…
Britain’s recent bond market turmoil has evoked unsettling comparisons not just to the Liz Truss mini-budget debacle of 2022, but, more significantly, to the nation’s crippling debt crisis of the 1970s. According to a report in Bloomberg, former Bank of England rate-setter Martin Weale points out that the current market…
El Salvador continues to defy global financial norms by expanding its Bitcoin reserves, adding 11 BTC to its holdings despite pressures from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The purchase, valued at nearly $1 million, reflects the Central American nation’s persistent alignment with cryptocurrency as a pillar of its economic policy.…
A trio of devastating wildfires continues to ravage Los Angeles County, with the Pacific Palisades Fire leading the charge. Fuelled by powerful Santa Ana winds, the fire has exploded in size, burning over 2,900 acres and forcing tens of thousands of residents to evacuate. As the blaze spreads rapidly, firefighters…
It’s fair to say that, as far as US stock indices were concerned, last year ended on a whimper rather than a bang. Yet overall it was a fine performance for the US majors, which saw the broad-based S&P 500 gain 23% in 2024, following on from a 24% gain…
As inflation begins to cool, the Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2025 has been set at 2.5%. This increase, although modest compared to the previous years, is a crucial lifeline for retirees, providing them with a slight boost to their benefits. While some may have hoped for a more…
For decades, alcohol sales have provided restaurants with high-margin income, often accounting for up to 30% of total revenue in fine dining. Unlike perishable food items, alcohol offers a longer shelf life and lower labor costs, making it a financial cornerstone for eateries. However, US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy’s latest…
Federal Reserve officials at their December meeting expressed concern over inflation and the impact that President-elect Donald Trump’s policies could have, indicating that they would be moving more slowly on interest rate cuts because of the uncertainty, minutes released Wednesday showed. While none in the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC)…
China’s inflation data for December has raised fresh concerns over deflationary pressures, underscoring the persistent challenges facing the world’s second-largest economy as it grapples with weak domestic demand. China’s consumer inflation edges lower China’s consumer price index (CPI) rose just 0.1% year-on-year in December, according to data from the National…