“It is also possible, however, that the upward pressure on prices from tariffs could spur a more lasting inflation dynamic, and that is a risk to be assessed and managed.”

“Higher interest rates have eroded the real-world purchasing power of the typical American household,” said Danielle Hale, Realtor.com’s chief economist.

The British central bank expects inflation to peak at 4 per cent in September, double its 2 per cent target, on the back of higher food costs but to drop back after that.

Chair Jerome Powell said that the inflationary impact from tariffs could well be temporary, but the central bank needed to guard against a more persistent effect.

Malaysia’s ringgit is poised to restart a rally, potentially hitting its strongest level against the US dollar in almost a year, as analysts see a dovish central bank and fiscal pledges boosting sentiment.

A US$10,000 investment in the S&P 500 Index a decade ago would now have more than tripled in value, while the same amount in China’s CSI 300 benchmark would have added just around US$3,000.

The credit rating company has affirmed its AA+ long-term rating for the US, in part because it thinks tariff revenues will reduce the fiscal hit of a recent tax and spending Bill.

US Treasury Secretary told Bloomberg TV that rates should likely be 150-175 basis points lower. “We could go into a series of rate cuts here, starting with a 50 basis-point rate cut in September,” he said.

THE US government’s budget deficit grew nearly 20 per cent in July to US$291 billion despite a nearly US$21 billion jump in customs duty collections from President Donald Trump’s tariffs

Australia’s central bank cut interest rates on Tuesday (Aug 12) for a third time this year (by a quarter point to 3.6%) and signalled further policy easing might be needed to meet its inflation,

But the July data showed more businesses reaching a tipping point, left with little option but to raise prices following June’s notable uptick.

“Funds with a high risk appetite are gradually increasing their allocations to stocks, against the backdrop of low interest rates, a lack of good investment options and a surplus of liquidity,”