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Hellenic Shipping News Worldwide, Online Daily Newspaper on Hellenic and International Shipping
Site URL: www.hellenicshippingnews.com
Feed URL: www.hellenicshippingnews.com/category/world-economy/world-economy-news/feed
Posts: 142
Followers: 1
Falling eurozone retail sales underscore the softness of household consumption
Published: August 6, 2026 21:00
Eurozone retail sales fell by 0.3% month-on-month in June, following a 0.4% increase in May. On a year-on-year basis, the pace of growth slowed from 1.9% to 0.7%. Although retail sales account for only about a third of total consumer expenditure, they…
Jobless Claims Edge Up Slightly, Beating Forecasts
https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/jobless-claims-edge-up-slightly-beating-forecasts/
Published: August 6, 2026 21:00
The latest data on Initial Jobless Claims in the United States reveals a modest increase, with the actual number of claims reaching 199,000. This figure, while slightly higher than the previous week’s count of 198,000, still managed to come in below the…
Australia trade swings to June surplus, beats forecasts as exports rebound
Published: August 6, 2026 21:00
Australia’s trade balance swung back to a surprise surplus in June as stronger shipments of iron ore, coal and liquefied natural gas, alongside weaker fuel imports, boosted the country’s exports, official data showed on Thursday. Australia posted a trade…
German Factory Orders Rise More than Expected
https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/german-factory-orders-rise-more-than-expected/
Published: August 6, 2026 21:00
Germany’s factory orders rose 3.1% mom in June 2026, picking up from a downwardly revised figure in May and easily beating market estimates of 0.3%. It was the strongest monthly growth since March, driven by robust demand for processing equipment and…
Offering opportunities to the world
https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/offering-opportunities-to-the-world/
Published: August 6, 2026 21:00
Despite the intertwining of change and turmoil, the forces seeking peace and development remain strong. Although economic globalization faces headwinds, breakthroughs in technological revolutions are accelerating global connectivity, driving us toward a…
Eurozone Construction Contraction Eases in July
https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/eurozone-construction-contraction-eases-in-july/
Published: August 6, 2026 21:00
The S&P Global Eurozone Construction PMI came in at 44.3 in July 2026, up from 42.8 in June, pointing to another sharp contraction but one that was the softest since March. Construction activity remained firmly in contraction across the region at the start…
Yardeni explains why the Fed should be turning more hawkish
https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/yardeni-explains-why-the-fed-should-be-turning-more-hawkish/
Published: August 6, 2026 21:00
Yardeni Research argued in a note Thursday that the U.S. economy is on solid footing and that Federal Reserve officials should be adopting a more hawkish stance, as upside inflation risks outweigh downside risks to growth. The firm said the economy’s two…
Wholesale inventories rise less than expected, indicating cautious outlook
Published: August 6, 2026 21:00
In a recent release, the U.S. wholesale inventories data showed a modest increase, signaling a potential slowdown in inventory accumulation among wholesalers. The latest figures revealed that wholesale inventories rose by 0.2%, falling short of the…
US Firms Announce the Fewest Job Cuts in Two Years
https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/us-firms-announce-the-fewest-job-cuts-in-two-years/
Published: August 6, 2026 21:00
US-based employers announced 33,429 job cuts in July 2026, the fewest in two years, down 27% from June and 46% compared with the same month last year. AI led all reasons for job cuts for a fifth straight month and was responsible for 10.97K during the…
Trump held multiple undisclosed calls with Fed Chair Warsh, reports say
Published: August 6, 2026 17:00
President Donald Trump has spoken by phone with Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh multiple times since Warsh’s confirmation in May 2026, with Bloomberg confirming a scoop first reported by the Wall Street Journal on Thursday. The calls arrive at a delicate…
US Labor Costs Rise Less than Anticipated
https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/us-labor-costs-rise-less-than-anticipated/
Published: August 6, 2026 17:00
Unit labor costs in the US nonfarm business sector rose by 1.3% in Q2 2026, matching the revised Q1 pace, but missing market forecasts of 2.1%, preliminary data showed. This reflected a 2.7% increase in hourly compensation, up from 2.1% in Q1, alongside a…
US Q1 Productivity Rises More than Expected
https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/us-q1-productivity-rises-more-than-expected/
Published: August 6, 2026 17:00
US nonfarm business sector labor productivity rose 1.4% in the second quarter of 2026, more than market expectations of a 0.6% increase, preliminary estimates showed. Output increased 1.7% and hours worked increased 0.3%. Meanwhile, manufacturing sector…
Is El Nino’s economic risk too hot to handle?
https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/is-el-ninos-economic-risk-too-hot-to-handle/
Published: August 6, 2026 10:00
Across the globe, the looming “super El Nino” is sparking warnings from economists, planners and experts about its potentially devastating impact on economies and societies. A key area of the Pacific Ocean used to measure the strength of El Nino last week…
US service sector remains robust, but hiring weakness persists
https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/us-service-sector-remains-robust-but-hiring-weakness-persists/
Published: August 6, 2026 10:00
Business activity lifted by 4 July celebrations & World Cup The July ISM services index was not quite as strong as hoped, but the details remain consistent with annual US GDP growth of around 2.5%. The headline index rose to 54.1 from 54.0, versus the…
Eurozone July manufacturing firms as industry works down backlogs
Published: August 6, 2026 10:00
Eurozone manufacturing sector activity hit a three-month high in July despite fragile demand conditions and limited new order volumes as players worked down order backlogs to drive growth. The eurozone manufacturing purchasing managers’ index (PMI) firmed…
Fed’s Kashkari says central bank should raise rates now
https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/feds-kashkari-says-central-bank-should-raise-rates-now/
Published: August 6, 2026 10:00
Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis President Neel Kashkari said that the US central bank needs to begin raising interest rates gradually to address inflation that remains elevated. Kashkari told CNBC that the Fed should start moving rates higher slowly…
How are UK firms responding to the ongoing oil supply disruptions?
Published: August 5, 2026 21:00
The start of the conflict in the Middle East at the end of February, and the disruption to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz that followed, pushed global oil prices sharply higher: Brent crude rose from around $72 per barrel just before the war to…
Industrial producer prices down by 0.3% in the euro area and by 0.2% in the EU
Published: August 5, 2026 21:00
Overview In June 2026, compared with May 2026, industrial producer prices decreased by 0.3% in the euro area and by 0.2% in the EU, according to first estimates from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. In May 2026, industrial producer…
US Services Activity Revised Higher
https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/us-services-activity-revised-higher/
Published: August 5, 2026 21:00
The S&P Global US Services PMI rose to 54.6 in July from 51.2 in the previous month, revised higher from the flash estimate of 53.6 to mark the sharpest expansion in activity in nine months. New business levels rose the most since November, with panelists…
German Private Sector Activity Rebounds in July
https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/german-private-sector-activity-rebounds-in-july/
Published: August 5, 2026 21:00
The S&P Global Germany Composite PMI was revised higher to 51.3 in July 2026 from a preliminary of 51.2, pointing to the first growth in private sector activity in four months. Both manufacturing (52.2 vs 50.3) and services (49.8 vs 48.6) PMI increased.…
UK services sector returns to growth in July
https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/uk-services-sector-returns-to-growth-in-july/
Published: August 5, 2026 21:00
The UK services sector returned to growth in July after three months of contraction, with the S&P Global UK Services PMI Business Activity Index rising to 52.1 from 48.8 in June, according to data released today. The index moved above the 50.0 threshold…
US Private Employment Growth Slows in July
https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/us-private-employment-growth-slows-in-july/
Published: August 5, 2026 21:00
Private businesses in the US added 44K jobs in July 2026, the least in six months, following a downwardly revised 95K gain in June and below forecasts of 70K. The services sector added 47K jobs, led by education and health services (36K), financial…
India Services Growth Revised Slightly Higher
https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/india-services-growth-revised-slightly-higher/
Published: August 5, 2026 21:00
The HSBC India Services PMI was revised slightly higher to 53.3 in July 2026 from the preliminary estimate of 53.1 but remained well below June’s final reading of 57.4. Still, the latest reading signaled the weakest expansion in business activity since…
Evolving from a transit route to becoming an economic hub
https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/evolving-from-a-transit-route-to-becoming-an-economic-hub/
Published: August 5, 2026 21:00
At a warehouse in Hulunbuir, the Inner Mongolia autonomous region, a foreign trade company has stacks of premium lamb ready for exports. Exporting whole carcasses actually brings in modest returns, while if the meat is broken down into Western-style prime…
US Mortgage Applications Fall for 2nd Week
https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/us-mortgage-applications-fall-for-2nd-week/
Published: August 5, 2026 21:00
The volume of mortgage applications in the US fell by 2.9% on the final week of July, extending the 6.4% decline in the earlier period, and marking the largest back-to-back decline in two months. The drop was in line with the increase in mortgage rates,…
China Services Growth Near 2-Year Low
https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/china-services-growth-near-2-year-low/
Published: August 5, 2026 21:00
The RatingDog China General Services PMI declined to 50.4 in July 2026 from 54.1 in June, falling below market forecasts of 53.7. It was the slowest expansion in services activity since September 2024 as new business growth moderated for the second…
ADP Nonfarm Employment Change Falls Short of Expectations
https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/adp-nonfarm-employment-change-falls-short-of-expectations/
Published: August 5, 2026 17:00
The latest ADP National Employment Report has revealed a significant slowdown in the U.S. labor market, with private sector employment increasing by just 44,000 jobs. This figure falls notably short of the anticipated 68,000 jobs, suggesting a weaker than…
Eurozone Services Activity Revised Higher
https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/eurozone-services-activity-revised-higher-3/
Published: August 5, 2026 17:00
The S&P Global Eurozone Services PMI rose to 51.7 in July of 2026 from 49.4 in June, the highest in five months, revised marginally higher from the flash estimate of 51.6 and well above the initial estimate consensus of 49.8. The result reflected improving…
Euro Area Business Activity Growth at 8-Month High
https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/euro-area-business-activity-growth-at-8-month-high/
Published: August 5, 2026 17:00
The S&P Global Eurozone Composite PMI was revised higher to 52 in July 2026 from a preliminary estimate of 51.9 and 50 in June, moving back into expansion territory for the first time since March and signalling the strongest increase in business activity…
China services PMI misses forecasts in July – RatingDog PMI
https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/china-services-pmi-misses-forecasts-in-july-ratingdog-pmi/
Published: August 5, 2026 10:00
China’s services sector expanded at its slowest pace in 10 months in July, as business activity missed expectations and domestic demand softened, a private survey showed on Wednesday. The RatingDog China general services PMI fell to 50.4 in July from 54.1…
Tourism price wars threaten to dim a rare bright spot in China’s consumer spending
Published: August 5, 2026 10:00
China’s domestic tourism market is weakening faster than expected, clouding one of the few bright spots in the country’s sluggish consumer economy. Hilton China said last week it now expects revenue per available room (RevPAR) to fall by low single digits…
Asia manufacturing recovery broadens in July; China output contracts
Published: August 4, 2026 21:00
Manufacturing activity across much of Asia strengthened in July as improving demand, rising output and easing inflationary pressures at the time supported factory activity in several export-oriented economies. • China July manufacturing PMI falls below 50,…
U.S. Trade Balance Narrows but Misses Forecast
https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/u-s-trade-balance-narrows-but-misses-forecast/
Published: August 4, 2026 21:00
The latest data on the U.S. trade balance reveals a narrowing deficit, though it fell short of market expectations. The trade balance, which measures the difference in value between imported and exported goods and services, stood at -$73.30 billion. This…
Fed’s Paulson keeps open mind on rates amid inflation fight
https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/feds-paulson-keeps-open-mind-on-rates-amid-inflation-fight/
Published: August 4, 2026 21:00
Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia President Anna Paulson said Tuesday she remains open to potential interest rate increases as the central bank works to bring inflation down to its 2% target. “The recent improvement in some inflation data is welcome”…
US Job Quits Rise in June
https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/us-job-quits-rise-in-june/
Published: August 4, 2026 21:00
The number of workers voluntarily leaving their jobs in the United States increased by 79,000 to 3.23 million in June 2026, from a revised 3.15 million in the previous month. The rise was led by leisure and hospitality (+40,000), primarily accommodation…
‘Last chance’: Bessent says Hormuz deal is in sight after Trump’s warning on Iran talks
Published: August 4, 2026 21:00
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has told CNBC a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz is in sight, after President Donald Trump warned that the latest round of negotiations with Iran is the “last chance” to bring an end to the five-month conflict. “We are…
China central bank buys $7.4 billion in bonds during July
https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/china-central-bank-buys-7-4-billion-in-bonds-during-july/
Published: August 4, 2026 21:00
China’s central bank purchased sovereign bonds worth 50 billion yuan ($7.40 billion) on a net basis in July through open market operations, the People’s Bank of China said Tuesday. The July purchases marked an increase from the 10 billion yuan in net…
US Factory Orders Fall for 2nd Month
https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/us-factory-orders-fall-for-2nd-month/
Published: August 4, 2026 21:00
Factory orders in the United States eased 0.3% from the previous month to $656.5 billion in June of 2026, extending the revised 1.1% decline in the previous month, missing expectations of a 0.2% increase. It was the first month of back-to-back declines in…
US Logistics Expansion Cools as Inventory Growth Slows
https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/us-logistics-expansion-cools-as-inventory-growth-slows/
Published: August 4, 2026 21:00
The US Logistics Managers’ Index eased to 68.9 in July 2026, down from 71.1 in June, which marked the fastest pace of expansion since March 2022. Although growth moderated, July’s reading remains higher than any monthly reading recorded between 2023 and…
Bessent says U.S. could have deal with Iran “today or tomorrow”
https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/bessent-says-u-s-could-have-deal-with-iran-today-or-tomorrow/
Published: August 4, 2026 17:00
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said he believed the U.S. and Iran were nearing an agreement to resolve their dispute over the Strait of Hormuz, although mixed messaging left uncertainty lingering over the conflict in the Middle East. Bessent told…
U.S. job openings softer than expected, pulling back further from two-year high
Published: August 4, 2026 17:00
U.S. job openings in June came in softer than expected, economic data showed on Tuesday, pulling back further from a two-year high. The figure for May was revised lower as well. As per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Job Openings and Labor Turnover…
Asia economies face energy, US tariff risks despite AI export boost
Published: August 4, 2026 10:00
Asia’s economic outlook remains highly uncertain in the second half of 2026, as higher energy costs lift inflation and squeeze import-dependent economies while an artificial intelligence (AI)-led technology upcycle supports exporters. China is contending…
Fed survey shows unchanged business lending standards in Q2
https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/fed-survey-shows-unchanged-business-lending-standards-in-q2/
Published: August 4, 2026 10:00
Banks reported no change in lending standards for commercial and industrial loans during the second quarter, according to the Federal Reserve’s latest quarterly Senior Loan Officer Survey released for July. Demand for commercial and industrial loans…
What Moody’s sees in China’s economy
https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/what-moodys-sees-in-chinas-economy/
Published: August 4, 2026 10:00
Moody’s assessment of China’s credit outlook is notable not because it ignores the country’s economic headwinds, but because it concludes that they are, for now, being offset by emerging sources of strength. The agency expects China’s credit conditions to…
Greece Factory Activity Expands in July
https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/greece-factory-activity-expands-in-july/
Published: August 3, 2026 21:00
The S&P Global Greece Manufacturing PMI rose to 54.3 in July 2026 from 53.8 in June, signalling a solid improvement in operating conditions. Output expanded at the fastest pace in five months, supported by sustained client demand and further growth in new…
More patient policy framework for China’s economy
https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/more-patient-policy-framework-for-chinas-economy/
Published: August 3, 2026 21:00
China’s economy can no longer be described simply as either strong or weak. Its defining characteristic is a structural transition accompanied by growing divergence, often described as K-shaped recovery. New growth drivers — such as artificial intelligence…
US Effective Tariff Rate Falls to 7.4% on Latest Tariffs and Changing Trade Flows
Published: August 3, 2026 21:00
The U.S. effective tariff rate (ETR) has declined to 7.4% from 9.4% after the U.S. replaced the temporary Section 122 surcharge with new Section 301 tariffs on imports from 60 economies, including the EU. The revised estimate also reflects Fitch Ratings’…
German Retail Sales Fall More than Expected
https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/german-retail-sales-fall-more-than-expected/
Published: August 3, 2026 21:00
Germany’s retail sales declined 1.1% month-on-month in June 2026, swinging from a marginally revised 1.2% increase in the previous month and missing market estimates for a 0.5% drop. It marked the sharpest monthly contraction since May 2025, pointing to…
UK Manufacturing Growth Eases to 4-Month Low
https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/uk-manufacturing-growth-eases-to-4-month-low-2/
Published: August 3, 2026 21:00
The S&P Global UK Manufacturing PMI eased to 51.9 in July 2026, a four-month low, from 52.5 in June and below the preliminary estimate of 52.8. Despite the decline, the index remained above the 50 mark for a ninth consecutive month, signaling continued…
Chinese AI strengthening economic resilience
https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/chinese-ai-strengthening-economic-resilience/
Published: August 3, 2026 21:00
The technological and pricing shock brought by Kimi k3 to the large-language model ecosystem continues to reverberate through capital markets, with some US media outlets even describing it as a “DeepSeek Moment 2.0”. It is widely believed within the…
Germany Manufacturing Sees Strong Start to Q3
https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/germany-manufacturing-sees-strong-start-to-q3/
Published: August 3, 2026 21:00
The S&P Global Germany Manufacturing PMI was confirmed at 52.2 in July 2026, the highest in four months, compared to 50.3 in June, signalling an uptick in manufacturing performance. “Germany’s manufacturing sector made an impressive start to the third…
US Manufacturing Activity Expands at Fastest Pace Since 2022
https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/us-manufacturing-activity-expands-at-fastest-pace-since-2022/
Published: August 3, 2026 21:00
The ISM Manufacturing PMI for the US rose to 55.6 in July 2026 from 53.3 in June, beating market expectations of 54.0 and signaling the strongest expansion in factory activity since May 2022. The improvement was driven by a sharp acceleration in output…
US Construction Spending Edges Down in June
https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/us-construction-spending-edges-down-in-june/
Published: August 3, 2026 21:00
Construction spending in the US edged down 0.1% month-over-month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $2,166.5 billion in June 2026, following a downwardly revised flat reading in May and missing market expectations of a 0.2% increase. Residential…
US Manufacturing Sector Expansion Holds Steady
https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/us-manufacturing-sector-expansion-holds-steady/
Published: August 3, 2026 21:00
The S&P Global US Manufacturing PMI was revised slightly higher to 53.9 in July 2026 from the preliminary estimate of 53.8, matching June’s reading and signaling another month of solid expansion in factory activity. Operating conditions have now improved…
U.S. Small Business Sales Hold Steady in July, Extending 2026’s Modest Growth
Published: August 3, 2026 21:00
Fiserv, Inc., a leading global provider of payments and financial services technology, has published the Fiserv Small Business Index for July 2026, showing modest small business sales growth as higher average tickets offset softer foot traffic and…
Turkish annual inflation eases in July, but underlying pressures pick up
Published: August 3, 2026 21:00
Monthly inflation in July was 1.8% vs the market consensus of 1.96%, while annual inflation maintained its downtrend to 31.8% (vs the Central Bank of Turkey’s target of 24% and forecast of 26% in the latest inflation report) from 32.1% a month ago. Despite…
UK Manufacturing Growth Eases to 4-Month Low
https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/uk-manufacturing-growth-eases-to-4-month-low/
Published: August 3, 2026 21:00
The S&P Global UK Manufacturing PMI eased to 51.9 in July 2026, a four-month low, from 52.5 in June and below the preliminary estimate of 52.8. Despite the decline, the index remained above the 50 mark for a ninth consecutive month, signaling continued…
India Manufacturing Expands Least in Nearly 5 Years
https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/india-manufacturing-expands-least-in-nearly-5-years/
Published: August 3, 2026 21:00
India’s HSBC Manufacturing PMI eased to 53.5 in July 2026 from 54.2 in June, revised down from the preliminary estimate of 53.9, and marking the weakest growth since August 2021. Output and new orders continued to expand, although total sales grew at one…
China Factory Activity Growth at 4-Month Low
https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/china-factory-activity-growth-at-4-month-low/
Published: August 3, 2026 17:00
The RatingDog China Manufacturing PMI declined to a four-month low of 51.5 in July 2026 from 51.7 in June, falling below market forecasts of 51.5. However, it marked the joint-longest period of expansion in five years, matching the sequence from November…
Eurozone Manufacturing Growth Strengthens to Highest Since April
Published: August 3, 2026 17:00
The S&P Global Eurozone Manufacturing PMI rose to 51.9 in July 2026 from 51.4 in June, broadly matching the preliminary estimate of 52.0 and signaling the strongest improvement in factory conditions since April. Manufacturing output expanded at its fastest…
Trump says Iran talks to begin on Monday amid cycle of threats and pullbacks
Published: August 3, 2026 10:00
U.S. President Donald Trump said renewed negotiations with Iran on reopening the Strait of Hormuz and Tehran’s nuclear ambitions were set to begin this week, but declined to provide a deadline for a deal to be secured. Speaking to reporters aboard Air…
China manufacturing PMI slips into contraction, weighs on HRC demand
Published: August 3, 2026 10:00
China’s manufacturing activity returned to contraction in July after four consecutive months of expansion, raising concerns about domestic steel demand and dampening sentiment in the hot-rolled coil market. China’s manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index…
China’s economy starts new five-year plan with resilience, new growth drivers
Published: August 3, 2026 10:00
China’s steady first-half growth in 2026 underscored the resilience of the world’s second-largest economy and the growing role of new growth drivers as it embarked on a new five-year development period, Chinese officials said. Despite mounting external…
Bullish signals as Q2 results season kicks into gear, but inflation remains a hurdle
Published: August 3, 2026 10:00
As the second-quarter financial results season gathers pace, many chemicals players are projecting a bumper season that could help drive a stronger 2026, but raw materials cost inflation is still an obstacle. The earning season properly kicks into gear…
China’s factory activity unexpectedly contracts in July on demand slump, typhoons
Published: August 2, 2026 21:00
China’s factory activity unexpectedly contracted in July for the first time since February, as domestic orders slumped and typhoons disrupted production, while part of the front-loading momentum began to unwind, piling pressure on Beijing to boost domestic…
US GDP disappoints despite consumer resilience
https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/us-gdp-disappoints-despite-consumer-resilience/
Published: August 2, 2026 21:00
The US economy expanded at a slower-than-expected 1.5% annualised rate in the second quarter, but the details highlighted a resilient consumer and ongoing strength in investment. Inflation numbers were also softer than anticipated, resulting in a further…
Successive Shocks Test Emerging Market Policy Responses and Buffers
Published: August 2, 2026 21:00
The renewed closure of the Strait of Hormuz in July underscores continuing geopolitical and energy supply risks facing emerging markets credit in 2H26, Fitch Ratings says in a new report. Additional shocks related El Niño and US tariffs would further test…
China hits back at criticism over excess industrial capacity as more US tariffs loom
Published: August 2, 2026 21:00
China pushed back against claims of overcapacity in the world’s second largest economy, ahead of the release of results of a U.S. probe on the matter that could result in new tariffs. Massive capacity in a slew of Chinese industries, from automaking to…
Embassies warn Americans of travel risk amid signs of possible U.S.-Iran military action in the coming days
Published: August 2, 2026 21:00
A number of U.S. Embassies in the Middle East on Saturday warned American citizens in the region to exercise caution and be prepared for flight cancellations amid growing tensions between Iran and the United States. Embassies in Iraq, Jordan and the United…
US-Iran conflict enters new phase as Saudi Arabia helps hit proxies and diplomacy stalls again
Published: August 2, 2026 21:00
The stop-start fighting between the United States and Iran appears to have entered a new phase as Saudi Arabia has publicly joined military escalations against Tehran-backed proxies. At the same time, an already untenable diplomatic effort to end the war…
Ghosts of the 1970s: Why three Fed hawks voted to spike rates
https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/ghosts-of-the-1970s-why-three-fed-hawks-voted-to-spike-rates/
Published: August 2, 2026 21:00
Three Federal Reserve officials broke ranks this week with a stark warning: tackle sticky inflation now, or pay a much steeper price later. At the conclusion of their July 28–29 meeting, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) voted 9–3 to keep the…
America In Focus: US economy expands at sluggish pace, mortgage rate hit the highest level in a year
Published: August 2, 2026 21:00
The economy, inflation and how those forces could impact the lives of Americans were front and center over the past week. Trips to the grocery store and gas station are more painful than they were last year, and rising costs are impacting the decisions of…
Here’s why Europe’s hot summers are becoming an expensive challenge
Published: August 2, 2026 21:00
Europe’s increasingly extreme summers are becoming an economic problem, with more frequent heatwaves driving up costs, disrupting businesses and weighing on growth. Huge wildfires have been raging in France and Spain, burning 300,000 acres and forcing the…
Trump cancels planned Iran attack after framework for deal agreed
Published: August 2, 2026 17:00
President Donald Trump said on Saturday evening that he had cancelled a planned U.S. attack on Iran after Tehran and other Middle Eastern countries asked Washington to hold off, citing agreement on the framework of a potential deal Writing on Truth Social,…
Treasury sell-off shows Fed must reinforce inflation credibility, Musalem says
Published: August 2, 2026 17:00
This week’s sell-off in U.S. Treasuries showed that the Federal Reserve needs to reinforce its inflation-fighting credibility by raising interest rates, St. Louis Fed President Alberto Musalem told the Financial Times. “At this juncture, earlier,…
China’s PMI fell sharply in July as markets await policy support
Published: July 31, 2026 21:00
Manufacturing PMI data suggests we might have already seen the peak for PPI inflation China’s manufacturing purchasing managers’ index fell to 49.2 in July, down from 50.3 in June and well below expectations (market: 50.1, ING: 50.1). This level marked a…
Europe’s fastest-growing economies in Q2 2026: Who led and who lagged?
Published: July 31, 2026 21:00
Eurozone GDP delivered a better-than-expected performance in the second quarter of 2026. But beneath the headline, Europe’s growth story looks increasingly uneven across member states. The eurozone economy was expected to lose momentum in the second…
The structural upgrade logic of China’s economic new momentum
https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/the-structural-upgrade-logic-of-chinas-economic-new-momentum/
Published: July 31, 2026 21:00
China’s latest economic policy assessment points to a shift in the drivers of growth and the structure of the economy. At a meeting of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee on Thursday, the Chinese leadership noted that the current economic…
UK House Price Growth Slows in July
https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/uk-house-price-growth-slows-in-july/
Published: July 31, 2026 21:00
The UK Nationwide House Price Index rose 1.8% year-on-year in July 2026, slowing from a 2.2% increase in June and coming in slightly below market expectations of a 1.9% gain. Nationwide Chief Economist Robert Gardner said renewed geopolitical tensions,…
Chicago PMI Surpasses Expectations, Signals Manufacturing Growth
Published: July 31, 2026 21:00
The Chicago Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI), a crucial indicator of manufacturing sector health in the Chicago region, has reported an unexpected increase, showcasing robust growth in the sector. The latest data reveals an actual reading of 57.6,…
Italian confidence data signals a decent start to the third quarter
Published: July 31, 2026 21:00
Since yesterday, we’ve seen that the Italian economy proved relatively resilient to external shocks over the second quarter, posting decent 0.2% quarterly GDP growth. Today’s confidence release provides the first insight into developments over the third…
Japan Industrial Output Growth at 5-Month High
https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/japan-industrial-output-growth-at-5-month-high/
Published: July 31, 2026 21:00
Japan’s industrial production rose 1.3% month-over-month in June 2026, accelerating from a 0.1% increase in the previous month and beating market expectations of 0.7%, preliminary data showed. It marked the third consecutive monthly increase and the…
Bank of Japan leaves rates at 1.00% with no surprises
https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/bank-of-japan-leaves-rates-at-1-00-with-no-surprises/
Published: July 31, 2026 21:00
Gradual tightening cycle in play There were no surprises at today’s BoJ meeting, where the policy rate was left unchanged at 1.00%. In our BoJ preview, we discussed the possibility of hawkish dissenters and only Hajime Takata voted in favour of a…
US Consumer Sentiment Revised Higher to Five-Month High
https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/us-consumer-sentiment-revised-higher-to-five-month-high/
Published: July 31, 2026 21:00
The University of Michigan’s Consumer Sentiment Index was revised higher to 55.2 in July 2026 from a preliminary reading of 54.0, reaching its highest level since February, before the US-Iran conflict drove gas prices higher. Sentiment improved across all…
China, US hold video talks on economic, trade issues
https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/china-us-hold-video-talks-on-economic-trade-issues/
Published: July 31, 2026 21:00
Vice-Premier He Lifeng held a video call with United States Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on Thursday, with both sides pledging to strengthen communication and promote stable economic and trade ties. He, the…
US Employment Costs Slightly Above Forecasts
https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/us-employment-costs-slightly-above-forecasts/
Published: July 31, 2026 21:00
Compensation costs for civilian workers in the United States rose by 0.9% in the second quarter of 2026, the same as in the previous period, slightly above forecasts of a 0.8% rise. Wages and salaries increased 0.9% (vs 0.8% in Q1) and benefits rose at a…
German Unemployment Rate Rises to 6.4% as Labor Market Softens
https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/german-unemployment-rate-rises-to-6-4-as-labor-market-softens/
Published: July 31, 2026 21:00
Germany’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose to 6.4% in July 2026 from 6.3% in June, exceeding market expectations of 6.3%. The number of unemployed increased by slightly more than expected, rising by 6,000 to 2.99 million, just below the…
Greece Retail Sales Growth at One-Year High
https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/greece-retail-sales-growth-at-one-year-high/
Published: July 31, 2026 17:00
Retail sales in Greece rose by 6.8% year-on-year in May 2026, rebounding from 0.3% decline in the previous month, highest reading since April 2025. The recovery was supported by stronger performance across major segments, with sales of non-food products…
China Factory Activity Unexpectedly Contracts
https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/china-factory-activity-unexpectedly-contracts/
Published: July 31, 2026 10:00
China’s official NBS Manufacturing PMI unexpectedly declined to 49.2 in July 2026 from 50.3 in the previous month, below market expectations of 50.0. It was the first contraction in factory activity since February, amid persistently weak domestic and…
U.S. economic growth cools to 1.5% in second quarter
https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/u-s-economic-growth-cools-to-1-5-in-second-quarter/
Published: July 30, 2026 21:00
U.S. economic growth eased in the second quarter, dragged down in part by a surge in imports needed to underpin rapid artificial intelligence infrastructure development, as well as a decrease in government spending. An increased amount of capital goods,…
Eurozone economy motors on despite Middle East war
https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/eurozone-economy-motors-on-despite-middle-east-war/
Published: July 30, 2026 21:00
The eurozone economy seems to have once again shrugged off a global economic shock quite well. The US-Iran war and subsequent rising energy prices have not done much to dent eurozone growth rates so far. The second-quarter growth rate came in at a strong…
China’s Politburo strikes a supportive tone but offers few tangible measures
Published: July 30, 2026 21:00
Supportive tone but no bazooka stimulus package as expected China’s July Politburo meeting largely aligned with most economists’ expectations, without any splashy announcements or overt signalling of large-scale policy easing ahead. We continued to see…
U.S. Initial Jobless Claims Rise, But Remain Below Forecast
https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/u-s-initial-jobless-claims-rise-but-remain-below-forecast/
Published: July 30, 2026 21:00
The latest report on U.S. initial jobless claims has been released, providing a snapshot of the labor market and offering insights into the economic trajectory. For the past week, the number of individuals filing for unemployment insurance for the first…
US Real Consumer Spending Holds Steady at 0.4% in June
https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/us-real-consumer-spending-holds-steady-at-0-4-in-june/
Published: July 30, 2026 21:00
Inflation-adjusted US personal spending rose 0.4% month-over-month in June 2026, matching May’s pace. Goods spending accelerated to 0.7% from 0.6%, driven by stronger gains in motor vehicles and parts (2.2% vs. 1.9%), gasoline and other energy goods (0.7%…
Fed’s Warsh says no forward guidance may have driven rise in Treasury yields
Published: July 30, 2026 21:00
The Federal Reserve on Wednesday held its key policy rate steady, in a decision that had seen elevated uncertainty coming into it. Fed Chair Kevin Warsh said rising U.S. Treasury yields were proof that markets had reacted to real-time data, adding that the…
German inflation shows its uglier side
https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/german-inflation-shows-its-uglier-side/
Published: July 30, 2026 21:00
Germany’s real inflation has finally stood up. The just-released first estimate of July headline inflation shows the full impact of higher energy prices, as July was the first month without the government’s tax rebate on fuel. German headline inflation…
The U.S. wants Asia to use its AI — but China dominates cheaper models
Published: July 30, 2026 21:00
The artificial intelligence race between the U.S. and China is heating up in the world’s largest continent: Asia. “The American strategy is to stop China from becoming the leading AI supplier for the rest of Asia … and frankly the whole world,” said Gary…
German economy defies Middle East war by growing in the second quarter
Published: July 30, 2026 21:00
The just-released first estimate of GDP growth in the second quarter of the year suggests that the German economy defied a rather depressed mood and fears related to the war in the Middle East and soaring energy prices, growing by 0.2% quarter-on-quarter.…
BOJ preview July: rates on hold, but yen weakness, inflation spell hawkish outlook
Published: July 30, 2026 21:00
The Bank of Japan is widely expected to leave interest rates unchanged at the conclusion of a two-day meeting on July 31, although a mix of sticky inflation and a battered yen present the case for a hawkish stance from the central bank. The BOJ is widely…
Shanghai leads nation, Asia in ‘first-store economy’ race
https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/shanghai-leads-nation-asia-in-first-store-economy-race/
Published: July 30, 2026 21:00
More than 8,400 brands have chosen Shanghai as the location for their first stores, and while the reasons behind each decision may vary, they all point to a shared recognition: the city’s powerful appeal to brands from around the world. The debuts include…
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