THE EDGE INSIGHTS
Latest Economic Insights
Economic developments that matter to regional and global markets, analysed daily.
Apple Seeks US Clearance to Buy CXMT Memory Chips as AI Demand Drives Up Component Costs
Apple has asked US officials for clearance and policy assurances to buy memory chips from ChangXin Memory Technologies, a Chinese DRAM manufacturer…
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China Industrial Profits Rise 18.8 Percent in the First Five Months as AI-Linked Electronics Lead
Profits at China's large industrial firms rose 18.8 percent year on year in the first five months of 2026, to about 3.14…
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IMF Chief Economist Warns the AI Wealth Boom Could Add to Inflation Pressure
The artificial intelligence boom could add to inflation through more channels than the cost of advanced chips, according to IMF chief economist…
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Tokyo Inflation Accelerates in June, Strengthening the Case for Gradual Bank of Japan Tightening
Tokyo consumer inflation accelerated in June, giving markets an early signal that Japan's price pressures are firming again after several months of…
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S&P Keeps the US at AA+ with a Stable Outlook, but Fiscal Pressure Remains the Core Weakness
S&P Global Ratings has affirmed the United States' long-term sovereign credit rating at AA+ and its short-term rating at A-1+, with a…
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Commodities Wrap: Gold Rebounds Toward US$4,100 an Ounce as Oil Falls and Natural Gas Slips
Settlement prices in this wrap are the official Friday 26 June exchange settlements, the last regular session before the weekend, captured using…
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France Business Climate Steadies in June but the Jobs Outlook Weakens Sharply
France's business climate stabilised in June, but the labour market signal weakened, pointing to a fragile recovery in the euro area's second…
Read more →Bank of Japan Signals More Rate Hikes Ahead as Board Eyes a Neutral Rate Near 2 Percent
The Bank of Japan has moved further into policy normalisation, with its June communication pointing to more rate increases if the economy…
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German Business Sentiment Improves Again as Consumers Remain Cautious
German business sentiment improved again in June, but consumer confidence remained deeply negative, pointing to a recovery that is stabilising rather than…
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US Crude Inventories Fall 6.1 Million Barrels as Refineries Run Near Full Capacity, EIA Says
US commercial crude oil inventories fell sharply in the week ended 19 June, reinforcing the view that refinery demand for crude remained…
Read more →Commodities Wrap: Gold Settles Near US$4,048 an Ounce as Brent Firms to US$75 and Natural Gas Softens
Settlement prices in this wrap are the official 25 June exchange settlements, while the latest electronic levels were captured around 19:00 EDT…
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Gulf Oil Exports Climb Back as Tanker Traffic Through the Strait of Hormuz Picks Up
Crude oil exports from the Gulf are recovering as tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz returns toward normal levels following weeks…
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US First-Quarter Growth Revised Up to 2.1 Percent as May Inflation Accelerates and Factory Orders and Home Sales Soften
The world's largest economy delivered a split picture this week, with its first-quarter growth revised firmly higher and its preferred inflation gauge…
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Germany and France Business Climate Edge Up in June, but Manufacturing, Jobs and Consumer Signals Remain Soft
Business sentiment in the euro area's two largest economies improved slightly in June, but the gains remained modest and the underlying indicators…
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BIS Says Stablecoins Fall Short as Money and Urges Safeguarding Trust in the Digital Age
The Bank for International Settlements has warned that today's stablecoins fall short on the key properties that sustain trust in money, and…
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Gold Falls Below $4,000 per Ounce for the First Time Since November 2025
Gold prices fell below the key $4,000 per troy ounce level on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, extending a sharp correction in precious…
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Commodities Wrap: Gold Near a 7-Month Low as Oil Slips Below US$70
Gold hovered near a seven month low on Thursday, trading around US$4,030 an ounce after a sharp slide this week, as markets…
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China’s Softer Data Brings the Rate Cut Option Back Into Focus
A further cut in Chinese interest rates this year remains possible, though not assured, as signs of softer domestic demand renew the…
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Oman’s Sovereign Wealth Fund and a Temasek Linked Unit Back a 255 Million Dollar Private Credit Deal in Asia
Oman Investment Authority and SeaTown Holdings International, a unit linked to Singapore's Temasek through its Seviora asset management group, have joined Vietnam…
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Qatar Investment Authority Commits 432 Million Euros to RWE to Support German Power Grid Expansion
The Qatar Investment Authority has committed 432 million euros to RWE's equity capital raise, increasing its stake in the German energy group…
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Markets Remain in a Bull Phase but the Risk of a Correction Is Rising
Global equity markets are entering a more complicated phase. The dominant trend remains positive, supported by strong corporate earnings expectations, resilient economic…
Read more →Commodities Wrap: Gold Slips Toward US$4,120 as the Dollar Firms
Gold edged lower at the start of Wednesday's trading, slipping toward US$4,120 an ounce as a stronger US dollar and a more…
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The Dollar Hits Its Highest Level in More Than a Year as Major Central Banks Turn More Hawkish
The US dollar has climbed to its strongest level in more than a year as investors reprice the outlook for global interest…
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OPEC Fund Prepares a New Initiative to Finance Fragile States with Loans of up to 40 Years
The OPEC Fund for International Development is preparing a new initiative aimed at fragile states, offering long term financing with maturities of…
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- Asia Market Wrap 7 October: All Eight Indices Fall as Seoul Drops 1.98 Percent
- The Week Ahead: The Federal Reserve Decides on 29 July, US Growth and Inflation Data Land, and the Megacap Technology Earnings Peak
- Asia Market Wrap 8 October: All Ten Indices Fall as Singapore Drops 3.49 Percent
- Asia Market Wrap 6 October: Nikkei Posts First Close Above 70,000 Since July as Kospi Falls
- Europe Market Wrap 9 October: All Nine Indices Rise as Basic Resources Jump 2.99 Percent