Banking & Finance

Foreign investors pump $212 billion into U.S. economy as long-term securities demand surges

Net purchases of long-term U.S. securities by foreign residents reached $221.8 billion 

U.S. budget deficit hits $145 billion in December, up 67 percent due to record outlays and calendar shifts

Customs revenue reached $27.9 billion while the Supreme Court reviews emergency tariff sanction laws

Nepal’s economic recovery to continue at a slower pace amid global uncertainty in 2026, says IMF

As the country moves forward, policymakers face the challenge of striking a careful balance between political stability and prudent economic and financial reforms

China’s central bank extends gold buying streak to 14 months as reserves surpass $319 billion

Holdings now represent 5-6 percent of China’s foreign exchange reserves 

China maintains benchmark lending rates for seventh consecutive month

Economic indicators suggest ongoing struggles, with the property sector and consumer spending driving concerns 

Bank of Japan raises interest rates to 30-year high

The central bank's first rate increase since January came amid expectations that the momentum for wage hikes will continue into next year

Ukraine reaches agreement with IMF for new 48-month funding arrangement providing up to $8.1 billion

Total financing gap for Ukraine is projected at around $136.5 billion through 2026-29 

South Korea’s card payments market to reach $1.1 trillion by 2029 amid government efforts to promote cashless transactions

The market is expected to reach KRW1,510.2 trillion ($1.1 trillion) by 2029, supported by the country’s exceptionally high card penetration, robust payments infrastructure, and continued government efforts to promote cashless transactions

Singapore’s card payments market set for 6.2 percent growth in 2025

Card payments market is driven by contactless adoption and strong banking access

$20 billion currency swap finalized as U.S. buys Argentine pesos

The currency swap aims to stabilize Argentina's economy amid severe liquidity shortages and volatility

Sri Lanka secures $347 million IMF deal as part of $3 billion economic recovery program

The deal supports ongoing reforms and debt restructuring essential for long-term economic stability

U.S. to impose 25 percent tariff on imported medium and heavy-duty trucks

The new tariff will significantly impact costs for truck buyers and various industries reliant on these vehicles

China keeps benchmark lending rates steady for fourth consecutive month in September

The one-year loan prime rate (LPR) was held at 3.0 percent on Monday, while the five-year LPR remained unchanged at 3.5 percent

S&P affirms U.S. ‘AA+’ credit rating as tariff revenue offsets weaker fiscal outcomes

Broad revenue buoyancy in the U.S., including robust tariff income, will offset any fiscal slippage from tax cuts and spending increases

French central bank reports loss of $8.4 billion for 2024

The bank noted that falling ECB deposit rates and reduced bond holdings will help mitigate future losses

Google agrees to pay Italy $340 million to settle Italian tax case

Google has previously faced financial penalties, including over $1 billion paid to France for tax fraud allegations

India central bank delivers first rate cut in almost 5 years as inflation eases

The central bank cut the repo rate by 25 basis points to 6.25 percent after keeping it unchanged for eleven consecutive policy meetings

Bank of Korea plans additional rate cuts in 2025 as prices stabilize

Central bank slashed its policy rate last month for the second time in a row to help prop up the economy

Mastercard to repurchase up to $12 billion shares under new program

The company also announced a quarterly cash dividend of 76 cents per share

Australia central bank holds interest rates at 4.35 percent

The economy grew by only 0.8 percent over the past year, the slowest pace of growth since the early 1990s

China’s industrial profits top $814 billion in Jan-Oct

Over 60 percent of industrial sectors experienced enhanced profitability in October relative to the prior month  

Fed to keep interest rates unchanged in December, says Nomura

Other global brokerages, including Goldman Sachs and J.P.Morgan, anticipate a 25 bps cut from the central bank next month

Fed’s Powell says no need to hurry in lowering interest rates amid stronger U.S. economy

Economy's recent performance has been 'remarkably good, by far the best of any major economy in the world'.