Federal Reserve's preferred inflation gauge shows price pressures easing further

WASHINGTON (AP) — A measure of prices that is closely tracked by the Federal Reserve suggests that inflation pressures in the U.S. economy are continuing to ease. Friday's Commerce Department report showed that consumer prices were flat from April to May, the mildest such...

Trump and Biden tangle over the economy in their opening exchange, trading barbs over inflation, jobs and tax policy

US economic growth for last quarter is revised up slightly to a 1.4% annual rate

WASHINGTON (AP) — The American economy expanded at a 1.4% annual pace from January through March, the slowest quarterly growth since spring 2022, the government said Thursday in a slight upgrade from its previous estimate. Consumer spending grew at just a 1.5% rate, down from an initial estimate...

The Czech central bank again cuts a key interest rate as inflation stays low and economy recovers

PRAGUE (AP) — The Czech Republic’s central bank on Thursday cut its key interest rate for the fifth time in a row as inflation remains low and the economy is showing signs of recovery. The cut, which had been predicted by analysts, brought the interest rate down by a...

China's premier slams trade tensions as EV exports are hit by tariffs

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Open markets and green technologies are vital for stabilizing global growth, China's premier said Tuesday, while criticizing trade tensions as he opened a conference in northeastern China. Premier Li Qiang told political and business leaders attending the...

Stock market today: Asian stocks are mixed after Wall Street edges to more records

HONG KONG (AP) — Asian stocks were mixed on Wednesday after U.S. benchmarks ticked to more records following the latest signs that the U.S. economy may be slowing without falling into recession. U.S. futures were mixed and oil prices were little changed. Tokyo’s...

Japan's exports surge 13.5% in May, helped by cheap yen and strong demand in US, Asian markets

TOKYO (AP) — Japan's exports surged 13.5% in May, faster than expected growth helped by a weak yen and strong demand in the U.S. and Asia. Finance Ministry data reported Wednesday showed that the trade deficit totaled 1.22 trillion yen ($7.7 billion), down nearly 12% from 1.38...

China keeps lending rate unchanged as data show housing market is still struggling

BANGKOK (AP) — China's central bank kept a key lending rate unchanged on Monday, choosing not to loosen credit as data for May showed signs of persisting weakness in the world's No. 2 economy's manufacturing and real estate sectors. The central bank kept its rate for 1-year...

Anxiety over persistent inflation helps drive down US consumer sentiment for third consecutive month

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. consumer sentiment fell in June for the third straight month as Americans took a dimmer view of their own finances and worried about persistent inflation. The University of Michigan’s consumer sentiment index, released Friday in a preliminary version,...

Myanmar's economy in crisis as civil strife disrupts trade and livelihoods

BANGKOK (AP) — Myanmar, once a thriving emerging economy, is struggling to regain momentum as the country’s civil war increasingly disrupts trade and livelihoods. World Bank economists estimate the country's economy grew at a 1% annual pace in the year that ended in March, more...