BoykoWealth.com — Automated Daily Report on World Macroeconomic News for March 20, 2025
A comprehensive summary of the news, covering GDP, inflation, unemployment, consumer confidence, equity markets, fixed income and interest rates, commodities, currencies, economic indicators, geopolitical developments, and new technology news.
GDP: The U.S. GDP growth rate for Q4 2024 was revised down to 2.1% from the initial estimate of 2.4%, reflecting slower consumer spending and business investment[1]. In Europe, the Eurozone’s GDP grew by 0.3% in Q4 2024, driven by strong performance in Germany and France[2]. Japan’s GDP growth for Q4 2024 was revised up to 1.2%, supported by robust export activity[3].
Inflation: U.S. inflation remained steady at 3.8% year-over-year in February 2025, with core inflation (excluding food and energy) at 3.2%[4]. In the Eurozone, inflation eased to 4.5% in February, down from 4.8% in January, as energy prices moderated[5]. Japan’s inflation rate increased to 1.5% in February, driven by higher food and transportation costs[6].
Unemployment: The U.S. unemployment rate held steady at 3.6% in February 2025, with job gains in healthcare and construction offsetting losses in retail[7]. The Eurozone’s unemployment rate remained unchanged at 6.7% in January 2025[8]. Japan’s unemployment rate was stable at 2.4% in February[9].
Consumer Confidence: U.S. consumer confidence improved in March 2025, with the Conference Board’s index rising to 108.5 from 106.0 in February, reflecting optimism about the labor market and economic outlook[10]. In the Eurozone, consumer confidence increased to -10.0 in March, up from -11.5 in February[11]. Japan’s consumer confidence index rose to 38.0 in March, from 37.5 in February.
Equity Markets: Wall Street closed mixed on March 20, 2025. The S&P 500 Index fell by 0.22% to 5,662.89[1]. The Nasdaq Composite Index declined by 0.33% to 17,691.63[5]. The Dow Jones Industrial Average edged down by 0.03% to 41,953.32[8].
Corporate Actions and Earnings: Boeing’s stock surged 6.8% after the company announced a major defense contract win. Darden Restaurants, the parent company of Olive Garden, missed earnings estimates for Q3 2025, reporting $2.80 per share against the expected $2.81. Nvidia’s stock gained 4.5% ahead of its “Quantum Day” presentation at the GTC 2025 conference.
Trending Industry Update: The semiconductor industry continues to show strong growth, with global sales expected to reach $803 billion by 2028, driven by demand for AI, machine learning, and IoT applications. The renewable energy sector also saw significant investment, with new projects announced in solar and wind energy across the U.S. and Europe.
United States: The Federal Reserve’s decision to keep interest rates steady at 4.25%-4.50% was influenced by ongoing economic uncertainty and potential inflation from trade tariffs. Retail sales in February increased by 0.7%, rebounding from a 0.9% decline in January. Industrial production rose by 0.5% in February, driven by gains in manufacturing and utilities.
Europe: The Bank of England held interest rates steady at 4.5%, with policymakers navigating conflicting pressures of slowing growth and persistent inflation. Germany’s ZEW economic sentiment index reached an eight-month high of 15.0 in March, reflecting improved investor confidence. The Eurozone’s trade surplus widened to €15.5 billion in January, up from €14.1 billion in December.
Asia: China’s industrial production grew by 5.3% year-over-year in February, supported by strong manufacturing output. Japan’s exports increased by 7.3% in February, driven by demand for electronics and automobiles. India’s trade deficit narrowed to $22.99 billion in February, as exports rose to $36.43 billion.
Fixed Income and Interest Rates: U.S. Treasury yields remained stable, with the 10-year yield at 3.5% and the 2-year yield at 4.0%. The European Central Bank maintained its key interest rate at 0.0%, while the Bank of Japan kept its rate at -0.1%.
Commodities: Oil prices rose, with Brent crude up 1.2% to $75.50 per barrel, driven by supply concerns and geopolitical tensions. Gold prices increased by 0.5% to $1,950 per ounce, as investors sought safe-haven assets amid market volatility.
Energy: The U.S. Energy Information Administration reported a decline in crude oil inventories by 2.5 million barrels for the week ending March 14, 2025. Renewable energy projects in solar and wind continue to attract significant investment, with new projects announced in Texas and California.
Metals: Copper prices rose by 1.0% to $4.25 per pound, supported by strong demand from the construction and electronics industries. Aluminum prices increased by 0.8% to $2,400 per metric ton, driven by supply constraints and rising demand.
Currencies: The U.S. dollar strengthened against major currencies, with the dollar index rising by 0.3% to 98.50. The euro weakened to $1.08, while the Japanese yen depreciated to 110.50 per dollar.
Economic Indicators: The U.S. current account deficit narrowed to $310.9 billion in Q4 2024, from $325 billion in Q3. The Eurozone’s current account surplus widened to €50.5 billion in January, up from €37 billion in December.
Geopolitical Developments: Tensions between Ukraine and Russia escalated, with both sides accusing each other of violating a ceasefire agreement. Protests in Israel intensified as the government moved troops into Gaza. The U.S. and China continued trade negotiations, with both sides expressing optimism about reaching a deal.
New Technology News: Nvidia’s “Quantum Day” presentation at the GTC 2025 conference highlighted advancements in quantum computing and AI technologies. Apple announced plans to invest $1 billion in a new research and development center focused on augmented reality and AI.
References
[2] S&P 500 (^GSPC) Stock Historical Prices & Data – Yahoo Finance
[3] Market Recap: S&P 500, Nasdaq, and Dow Jones Performance on March 20, 2025
[4] S And P 500 Chart By March 2025 | StatMuse Money
[6] Stock Market News For Mar 20, 2025 – Nasdaq
[7] Stock Market News For Mar 20, 2025 – March 20, 2025 – Zacks.com
[9] US Stock Market Technical Analysis | March 20, 2025
[10] Dow Jones Industrial Average Index Price History & Chart