BoykoWealth.com — Automated Daily Report on World Macroeconomic News for March 21, 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 final reading of the U.S. Q4 GDP growth was released, showing an annualized increase of 2.3%. This reflects a steady economic expansion despite ongoing trade policy uncertainties and relatively high interest rates.
Inflation: The PCE price indices for February indicated a rise of 0.3% for both headline and core inflation. This consistent increase suggests persistent inflationary pressures in the economy.
Unemployment: Initial jobless claims rose slightly by 2,000 to 223,000 for the week ended March 20. Continuing claims also increased to 1,892,000, indicating a cooling labor market.
Consumer Confidence: The GfK Consumer Confidence index for Germany showed an improvement from an 11-month low, reflecting a more optimistic outlook among consumers.
Equity Markets: Wall Street closed lower on Thursday, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average falling 0.08% to $41,985.35. The Nasdaq Composite declined 0.52% to $17,784.05, and the S&P 500 gained 0.08% to $5,667.56. The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) decreased by 0.5% to 19.80.
Corporate Actions and Earnings: IBM’s stock fell by 3.6%, contributing to the Dow’s decline. NIO reported a widened net loss and missed revenue expectations.
Trending Industry Update: Johnson & Johnson announced plans to invest over $55 billion in the U.S. over the next four years. AstraZeneca is set to invest $2.5 billion in China amid ongoing probes.
United States: Existing home sales surged by 4.2% in February to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.26 million units, surpassing economists’ expectations. The Fed left interest rates unchanged at 4.25-4.50% but indicated potential rate cuts later this year.
Europe: Germany is preparing for a trillion-euro defense and infrastructure splurge. France’s preliminary inflation figures showed an acceleration to 1.1%, while Spain’s inflation eased to 2.7%.
Asia: Japan’s CPI data and China’s medium-term lending rate were key focuses this week. NIO’s financial results highlighted challenges in the Chinese auto industry.
Fixed Income and Interest Rates: U.S. Treasury yields edged up after recent falls, reflecting growth risks. The Fed’s unchanged interest rate stance suggests cautious optimism about future economic conditions.
Commodities: Gold futures held ground following a record high, with prices around $3050/oz. Oil prices remained broadly flat as traders digested market drivers.
Energy: New sanctions on Iran influenced oil prices, which saw a slight rebound but remained within a tight range.
Metals: Gold continued its rise, reaching a fresh YTD high. The metals market showed resilience amid economic uncertainties.
Currencies: The US Dollar rallied, breaking above a key resistance level at 104.00. This led to declines in EUR/USD and GBP/USD, while USD/JPY saw modest gains.
Economic Indicators: The S&P Global PMIs indicated expansions in activity across the U.S., Europe, and Asia. Durable goods orders fell, and the trade deficit remained at a record high.
Geopolitical Developments: Israel’s Defense Minister threatened permanent occupation of parts of Gaza. Sudan’s army recaptured the presidential palace in a pivotal advance.
New Technology News: The tech sector saw mixed results, with IBM’s stock decline impacting the broader market. Innovations in AI and renewable energy continue to drive industry growth.
This report provides a detailed overview of the latest macroeconomic news, highlighting key developments across various sectors and regions. Stay informed with BoykoWealth.com for daily updates on world economic trends.