Latest Insights

Jul 14, 2025

The global economy is still sending mixed signals, and last week was no exception. In the US, growth is clearly losing steam, but inflation is proving hard to shake. The Fed’s preferred inflation gauge, core PCE, nudged up to 2.7% in May. That’s not the kind of number that pushes the Fed toward cutting interest rates anytime soon.

Jul 07, 2025

The latest US data gave a bit of a mixed signal. On one hand, the economy is clearly slowing down. But on the other, inflation – or the general rise in prices — is still hanging around.

Jul 03, 2025

Every few weeks, traders and investors alike brace for impact. Central banks (whether it’s the Fed or the ECB) step up to the mic to deliver interest rate decisions that could jolt the markets. But here’s something seasoned traders know: the charts often whisper before the officials speak. Long before the headlines drop, price action starts to shift.

Jul 01, 2025

You know what’s funny? For most of the last 30 years, nobody really talked about Japanese stocks unless it was to reference that massive bubble in the 1980s. Since then, the Nikkei mostly drifted – some up years, more down years, and a general sense that the whole thing was just... stuck.

Jun 30, 2025

This week’s economic data showed a mix of cooling inflation and slow-but-steady growth. In the US, the Fed’s preferred inflation measure – core PCE – rose just 0.2% in May, bringing the annual rate to 2.7%. That’s close to the Fed’s 2% target, supporting the idea that price pressures are easing. However, Americans are spending more cautiously: personal spending dipped for the second time this year, and consumer confidence fell sharply in June as worries about jobs and the economy grew. Jobless claims edged down slightly, suggesting the labour market is cooling gradually.

Jun 25, 2025

Back in 2022, the US central bank – the Federal Reserve – began raising interest rates quickly to fight inflation. Rates went from nearly 0% to over 5% in just over a year.

Jun 18, 2025

Last week, investors were navigating a delicate balance between relief and risk. On one hand, US inflation data brought some welcome news – prices are rising more slowly than expected, giving the Fed more reason to hit pause on rate hikes.

Jun 13, 2025

On this basis, EC Markets is pleased to announce the launch of an innovative section entitled Scholar on its new website, designed to enhance the quality of information available by offering the public pioneering, interdisciplinary analysis of the fields underpinning what we call the economy.