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today's top stories

  • U.S. Stocks Move Sharply Higher, Largely Offsetting Yesterday's Weakness June 18, 2026 11:15 ET

    Stocks have moved sharply higher during trading on Thursday, largely offsetting the weakness seen late in the previous session. The major averages have all moved back to the upside, with the tech-heavy Nasdaq leading the rebound. Currently, the major averages are off their highs of the session but still firmly positive.

  • FDA Approves First Single-Dose Generic Treatment For Flu June 18, 2026 10:38 ET

    The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the first generic of Xofluza (baloxavir marboxil) tablets, the first single-dose treatment for acute uncomplicated influenza and prophylaxis in patients 5 years of age and older. This approval is to increase the availability of generic drugs in time...

  • U.S. Leading Economic Index Edges Higher For Second Straight Month In May June 18, 2026 10:21 ET

    A report released by the Conference Board on Thursday showed its reading on leading U.S. economic indicators edged higher for the second straight month in May. The Conference Board said its leading economic index inched up by 0.1 percent in May after rising by 0.2 percent in April. The uptick matched economist estimates.

  • Philly Fed Index Jumps Back Into Positive Territory In June June 18, 2026 10:00 ET

    Philadelphia-area manufacturing activity expanded overall in the month of June, according to a report released by the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia on Thursday. The Philly Fed said its diffusion index for current general activity shot up to a positive 10.3 in June from a negative 0.4 in May, with a positive reading indicating growth.

  • Bank Of England Keeps Rate Unchanged As Expected June 18, 2026 09:49 ET

    The Bank of England left its key interest rate unchanged on Thursday as inflation slowed unexpectedly and unemployment declined, and the US-Iran peace deal lowered the upside risks to inflation. The Monetary Policy Committee, led by Governor Andrew Bailey, voted 7-2 to hold the bank rate at 3.75 percent, which is the lowest rate since June 2023.

  • U.S. Weekly Jobless Claims Pull Back Off Four-Month High June 18, 2026 09:39 ET

    A report released by the Labor Department on Thursday showed a modest pullback in first-time claims for U.S. unemployment benefits in the week ended June 13th. The Labor Department said initial jobless claims dipped to 226,000, a decrease of 4,000 from the previous week's revised level of 230,000. Economists had expected jobless claims to edge down to 225,000.

  • War Department Buys 30000 Drones, Ordering 60,000 More June 18, 2026 09:08 ET

    The U.S. War Department has announced that 30,000 drones are being delivered now and will be ordering 60,000 more in September. This is under the $1.1 billion Drone Dominance Program, a two-year effort to execute President Donald Trump's Executive Order, which articulated the urgent need for the department...

  • DR Congo Holds Ronaldo's Portugal To 1-1 Draw June 18, 2026 09:06 ET

    England made a roaring start to the FIFA World Cup 2026 with a 4-2 victory over Croatia while DR Congo showed their warrior spirit to hold Portugal to a 1-1 draw Wednesday, but Cristiano Ronaldo failed to rise to expectations. England won an exciting opening Group L contest against Croatia at Dallas Stadium, thanks to a brilliant brace from captain Harry Kane and second-half goals by Jude Belling

  • U.S. Stocks May Regain Ground As U.S., Iran Sign Memorandum Of Understanding June 18, 2026 08:54 ET

    Stocks are likely to move to the upside in early trading on Thursday, regaining ground following the sell-off seen late in the previous session. The major index futures are currently pointing to a higher open for the markets, with the S&P 500 futures up by 0.8 percent. Early buying interest may be...

  • Swiss Central Bank Keeps Rate On Hold June 18, 2026 08:25 ET

    The Swiss National Bank left its policy rate unchanged on Thursday as inflation continues to remain well within the target. The central bank left its policy rate at zero percent, in line with market expectations. The SNB had lowered the key rate by 175 basis points since March 2024.

  • Rights Defender Killings Hit Record High: UN Report June 18, 2026 07:33 ET

    Attacks against human right defenders have reached record levels over the past year, according to a new report issued on Wednesday by the UN human rights office, OHCHR. Preliminary data indicates that around 950 human rights defenders, journalists and trade unionists were killed or forcibly disappeared...

  • US, Iran Sign 14-point Peace Plan, Strait Of Hormuz To Open Immediately June 18, 2026 07:21 ET

    The United States and Iran have signed a preliminary agreement to end the Middle East war. Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced in a post on X Thursday that U.S. President Donald Trump and his Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian electronically signed the "Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding," and was endorsed by him as the mediator. The MoU will enter into force with immediate e

  • European Shares Decline On Rate-hike Worries June 18, 2026 05:17 ET

    European stocks were moving lower on Thursday after the U.S. Federal Reserve left interest rates unchanged as widely expected, but the latest set of projections suggested there could be at least one increase to its main rate this year. Elsewhere, the Swiss National Bank left its policy rate unchanged...

  • European Shares Set To Follow Wall Street Lower On Fed Rate Concerns June 18, 2026 01:43 ET

    European stocks are seen opening lower on Thursday after U.S. stocks ended sharply lower overnight amidst monetary policy concerns. The Federal Reserve held its benchmark interest rate steady but Chair Kevin Warsh's focus on "price stability" signaled an increasingly hawkish pivot. That said,...

  • European Economic News Preview: Bank Of England Policy Decision Due June 18, 2026 01:40 ET

    The Bank of England and Swiss National Bank announce monetary policy decisions on Thursday, headlining a hectic day for the European economic news. At 2.00 am ET, the Office for National Statistics releases UK unemployment data. The jobless rate is seen unchanged at 5.0 percent in the three months to April.

Global Economics Weekly Update - Jun 08-12, 2026

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.