Deeper Analysis
April 2025 in Figures
April 30, 2025
The dollar fell against most other major currencies in April as it had in the whole first quarter, if not more so. The slide was attributable not to economic fundamentals so much as a generalized loss of confidence in America’s geopolitical role in the world. Stock markets experienced considerable volatility during April, suffering considerable net […] More
Central Bank Watch
Central Bank of Colombia Delivers Surprise 25-Basis Point Interest Rate Cut
April 30, 2025
From a 13.25% peak maintained from April 2023 until an initial 25-basis point cut in December of that year, Colombia’s central bank interest rate had peaked at 13.25%. CPI inflation had slowed from 13.3% to high single-digit territory by the time of that initial rate but stall just above 5% late last year. 350 basis […] More
Central Bank Watch
A Third Thai Central Bank Rate Cut but Not by a Unanimous Vote
April 30, 2025
By a 5-2 vote with dissents favoring no change, the Bank of Thailand‘s policy interest rate was reduced by 25 basis points from 2.0% to 1.75%. This marked the third such cut from a peak of 2.5% maintained for thirteen months until October 2024. CPI inflation in Thailand of 0.8% in March was below its […] More
New Overnight Developments Abroad - Daily Update
A Disturbing U.S. Data Reality Check
April 30, 2025
The last business day of April typically delivered a ton of data releases, but what stood out most was how abruptly U.S. economic activity slowed last quarter. In the wake of the Covid shock of 2020, U.S. GDP had expanded 6.1% in 2021, 2.5% in 2022, 2.9% in 2023 and 2.8% last year including 2.7% […] More
