Orange juice prices have plummeted due to falling demand, partly from high prices and bitter taste caused by poor-quality crops in Brazil. Prices dropped from $5.26 in January to below $2.50. Poor quality and higher costs have deterred consumers, while a larger upcoming crop in Brazil has further reduced prices. Despite falling prices, retail prices remain high due to existing
On 20 March 2025, the Swiss National Bank (SNB) lowered its policy rate by 0.25% to 0.25%, effective 21 March 2025. This change applies to sight deposits at the SNB, where banks will earn interest at this rate up to a certain limit and 0% above that. The SNB is also ready to act in the foreign exchange market if
Gold prices soared to a record high on Thursday, getting close to the key milestone of $3,000 per ounce. The surge was fueled by ongoing tariff uncertainty under former President Trump and rising expectations that the U.S. Federal Reserve will ease monetary policy by cutting interest rates. This rally is part of a broader trend, with gold prices up nearly
In January 2025, real GDP fell by 0.1%, after a 0.4% growth in December 2024. The decline was mainly due to a drop in production. However, GDP grew by 0.2% over the three months to January 2025, driven by a 0.4% growth in services. Services output increased by 0.1% in January and grew 0.4% over the three months. Production
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased by 0.2% in February, following a 0.5% rise in January. Over the past year, the overall CPI increased by 2.8%. The shelter index rose 0.3% in February, contributing to nearly half of the monthly increase. This was offset by a 4.0% drop in airline fares and a 1.0% decline
The U.S. services sector continued its expansion for the eighth consecutive month in February, with the Services PMI® registering 53.5%, up from 52.8% in January. This indicates ongoing growth since the recovery from the pandemic-induced recession began in June 2020. The Business Activity Index was at 54.4%, slightly down from 54.5% in January, but marking the 57th month of expansion.
U.S. manufacturing activity expanded slightly in February after 26 months of contraction, with the Manufacturing PMI® registering 50.3%, a slight drop from 50.9% in January. While the overall economy continued to expand, some key indices showed mixed results. The New Orders Index fell into contraction at 48.6%, and the Production Index showed marginal growth at 50.7%. The Prices Index surged
In the fourth quarter of 2024, the U.S. economy grew at an annual rate of 2.3%, down from 3.1% in the third quarter. This growth was mainly driven by increased consumer and government spending, though it was partly offset by a decrease in investment. Imports, which subtract from GDP, also decreased. The GDP estimate was revised slightly upward by less than
The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has reduced its interest rate by 0.25% to 4.10%, marking its first rate cut since November 2020. This decision comes as inflation slows down, giving the RBA room to ease its policy. While the RBA is taking action to support the economy, it remains cautious. The central bank plans to keep future rate cuts gradual,
In December 2024, the UK's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) increased by 0.4% compared to November, driven by growth in the services sector. This followed a smaller 0.1% rise in November. For the three months leading up to December, the UK's GDP grew by 0.1% from the previous quarter. In the fourth quarter of 2024, the UK economy grew by 0.1%,
The U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI) for January 2025 rose by 0.5% on a seasonally adjusted basis, following a 0.4% increase in December. Over the past 12 months, the all-items index grew by 3.0%. Key contributors to the monthly increase included shelter (0.4%), which accounted for nearly 30% of the rise, energy (1.1%), with gasoline prices up 1.8%, and food
In January 2025, U.S. manufacturing activity expanded after 26 months of contraction, according to the latest Manufacturing ISM® Report. The Manufacturing PMI® rose to 50.9%, signaling growth. This was a 1.7 percentage point increase from December's 49.2%. Key highlights: New Orders: Increased to 55.1%, continuing a recovery after several months of decline. Production: Rose to 52.5%, returning to expansion after eight months
The Federal Reserve decided to keep its benchmark interest rate between 4.25% and 4.5%, after cutting rates three times starting last fall. This pause comes as inflation remains around 3%, which could make additional cuts risky. The Fed is taking a wait-and-see approach, especially with President Trump's economic policies in play. Fed Chair Powell noted that inflation expectations are stable,
US consumer confidence fell in January, with the Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index® dropping 5.4 points to 104.1. December's reading was revised up to 109.5 but still showed a decline. The Present Situation Index, measuring current business and labor conditions, dropped 9.7 points, while the Expectations Index, reflecting outlooks on income, business, and jobs, fell 2.6 points but stayed above
The U.S.-Mexico trade relationship has been very important for both countries. The U.S. has been Mexico's biggest trading partner, and Mexico has been one of the U.S.'s top partners. Each year, they have traded hundreds of billions of dollars in goods. Mexico has sent products like cars, electronics, machinery, and oil to the U.S. The U.S. has exported machinery, chemicals,
Gold has risen above $2,700, marking a 40-day high. If momentum builds, the probability of the price moving towards $2,800 increases. Uncertainty is elevated with Donald Trump's return to office. If hedging continues long-term against political uncertainty, higher levels of gold should be considered. A rejection of the $2,720 price level could push the price lower, potentially towards the $2,621
Bitcoin has reached $100,000, marking a major recovery after recent drops. This price increase is fueled by several factors, including more institutional investment, concerns over global economic stability, and growing belief in Bitcoin as a hedge against inflation. Large companies like Tesla and MicroStrategy have embraced Bitcoin, and more financial institutions are offering crypto products. Economic uncertainty, including fears of
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) for All Urban Consumers rose 0.4% in December, following a 0.3% increase in November. Over the past year, the CPI increased by 2.9%. Energy prices rose 2.6% in December, with gasoline up 4.4%. Food prices also increased by 0.3%, both at home and away from home. Excluding food and energy, the CPI rose 0.2% in
The services sector grew for the sixth month in a row in December, with the Services PMI at 54.1%, up from 52.1% in November. Business activity and new orders increased, while employment remained stable. Supplier deliveries slowed, and prices rose to 64.4%. Nine industries saw growth, but order backlogs kept shrinking. Panelists were optimistic, influenced by seasonal factors and concerns
Economic activity in the manufacturing sector shrank in December for the ninth month in a row, continuing a trend seen in 25 out of the last 26 months, according to the latest Manufacturing ISM report. The Manufacturing PMI® was 49.3% in December, up from 48.4% in November, showing slow growth. The overall economy is still expanding, marking 56 months
Bitcoin's price prediction for 2025 is uncertain but generally positive, with many expecting significant growth due to a combination of factors. One of the biggest drivers is increasing institutional adoption. Large financial institutions, hedge funds, and corporations are gradually investing in Bitcoin, which adds legitimacy to it as an asset class. As demand from these investors rises, Bitcoin's price is
EUR/USD is facing downside pressure, trading near a one-month low of 1.03640 as 2025 starts. The US Dollar remains strong, while the expectation that the Federal Reserve will scale back interest rate cuts more than anticipated. Following interest reduction in 2024, the Fed is projected to cut rates less in 2025, supported by strong US economic performance and a
On December 20th, the Office for National Statistics reported on the UK's monthly retail sales. Retail sales volumes rose by 0.2% in November 2024, following a 0.7% drop in October 2024. Supermarkets and non-food stores saw growth, but this was partly offset by a decline in clothing sales. Black Friday, which took place on November 29, 2024, was outside the
Retail sales in November rose by 0.7%, surpassing analysts' predictions of 0.6%, indicating strong consumer spending and a positive start to the holiday shopping season in the U.S. Excluding autos and gas, sales grew by 0.2%, which was below the expected 0.4%. The control group, important for GDP calculations, saw a 0.4% increase, matching expectations. A strong consumer base is