Economy and prices
Economy and prices: follow rates, inflation, and currencies to your money
Trace how interest rates, inflation, energy, currencies, and policy move through household costs, company profits, and asset prices.
An economic headline matters when it changes a price, an income stream, or the value of money. This hub follows those transmission paths without turning one data release into a forecast.
All insights in this topic
Follow inflation, rates, oil, currencies, central-bank decisions, and supply disruptions to purchasing power and market prices.
Japanese yen
U.S. Treasury bought yen through New York Fed, FT reports
The reported yen purchase would be the first U.S. operation to support Japan's currency since 1998. Neither the Treasury nor the New York Fed had published the transaction amount.
Oil prices
WTI falls 7.5% to $82.61 after U.S.-Iran attacks pause
Oil futures fell after the United States and Iran paused attacks over the weekend. The pause was not a formal ceasefire, and traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remained restricted.
China economy
China industrial profits rise 18.7% in H1 as electronics jump 96.9%
China's larger industrial firms reported an 18.7% increase in first-half profit. Electronics and non-ferrous metals posted the largest gains among major industries, while autos declined.
U.S. tariffs
U.S. sets MFN-inclusive 12.5% tariff treatment for Japan, South Korea and Switzerland
New U.S. Section 301 tariffs took effect on July 24. Japan, South Korea and Switzerland were placed under the same MFN-inclusive 12.5% tariff formula.
Japanese yen
The yen is near a 40-year low. Why do households pay more?
When the yen weakens, a dollar invoice converts into more yen. That can raise import costs, add pressure to household bills, and complicate the Bank of Japan's inflation choices.
Oil prices
Hormuz risk lifted oil. Why did stocks and bond yields move too?
Brent crude rose more than 3% as Hormuz shipping risk returned. Higher oil can raise inflation concerns, lift bond yields, and pressure parts of the stock market without moving every asset the same way.
U.S. stocks
A U.S. stock rose 10%, but the dollar fell 8%. What did you earn?
For a euro-based investor, a 10% U.S. stock gain combined with an 8% dollar decline produces a 1.2% return. €10,000 becomes about €10,120 before costs.
Inflation
What will $100,000 buy after 10 years of 3% inflation?
After 10 years of 3% inflation, $100,000 has the purchasing power of about $74,409 today. Keeping pace requires about $134,392 in future dollars.
Fed minutes
Why Fed minutes move stocks and savings rates
Fed minutes do not change rates by themselves. They change what investors think the next rate path may be, and that can quickly affect stocks, bonds, savings rates, and cash income expectations.
OPEC+
Why OPEC+ oil output may not lower gas prices fast
OPEC+ output can hit crude prices quickly. Pump prices move through inventory, refining, taxes, transportation, and local competition, so the drop can take longer to reach drivers.
Oil
Why gas prices rise fast and fall slowly
When crude oil rises, sellers quickly price in the cost of the next fuel shipment. When crude falls, older inventory, taxes, refining costs, and local competition can slow the drop at the pump.
Three steps from an economic headline to money
1. Identify the price that changed
Start with a measurable move such as a rate, price index, exchange rate, oil price, bond yield, wage, or asset price.
2. Trace the transmission path
Ask who pays more, who receives more, and how quickly the change reaches households, borrowers, savers, and companies.
3. Separate nominal from real money
A balance can rise in nominal terms while losing purchasing power after inflation, taxes, or currency changes.
Assumptions and limits
- Economic relationships can change across countries, periods, and market conditions.
- Pass-through to household or company costs may be delayed, partial, or offset.
- Scenario calculations explain possible effects and are not forecasts.