June 12, 2026 17:14 ET Major central bank action was the focus this week in economic news. The European Central Bank became the first major central bank to move in response to the rising inflationary pressures in the backdrop of the conflict in the Middle East. In North America, the U.S. inflation and trade data as well as Canada’s central bank decision gained attention. The Chinese trade data was the main news in Asia.
June 18, 2026 05:31 ETThe Philippine central bank lifted its key interest rates by 25 basis points on Thursday to control inflation expectations and mitigate the risk of second-round effects. The Monetary Board of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas decided to lift the reverse repurchase rate by 25 basis points to 4.75 percent. The interest rates on the overnight deposit and lending facilities were adjusted.
June 18, 2026 05:35 ETOil prices were sharply lower on Thursday amid easing geopolitical tensions after U.S. President Donald Trump and his Iranian counterpart remotely signed a preliminary agreement to end the 110-day conflict. Brent crude futures fell 2.4 percent to $77.61 a barrel, extending declines toward the lowest...
June 17, 2026 09:18 ETCryptocurrencies declined in the past 24 hours amidst growing anxiety about the Federal Reserve's monetary policy outlook. The decision of the first FOMC under the leadership of Kevin Warsh would be known on Wednesday afternoon. Markets expect the Fed to hold rates steady but are less sure about the...