Economy
Economic news and global market trends
Stronger El Niño Forecasted to Become a Historic Weather Phenomenon
El Niño's intensification may reach record levels, significantly impacting global weather patterns and inflationary pressures across multiple sectors.
Event Center Prevails Against Insurer in Fraud Allegation Over Protest Damage Claims
A jury ruled against Great American Insurance's fraud claims, upholding an event center's $986,000 appraisal award for damages from the George Floyd protests.
Markel Appoints Jonathan Handen to Lead Trade Credit and Political Risk Business in the Americas
Jonathan Handen has been appointed head of trade credit and political risk for Markel in the Americas, succeeding retiring executive Arjan van de Wall.
Insurance Adjuster's Fall Reveals Comedic Chaos in South Carolina Kitchen
A kitchen inspection in South Carolina ended in slapstick after an adjuster fell through the ceiling, leaving the homeowner amused and curious about the claim's outcome.
Nepal's Flooding Results in $130 Million in Hydropower Insurance Claims
Nepal confronts over $130 million in hydropower-related insurance claims stemming from devastating August floods that caused extensive economic damage.
Ukrainian Insurance Sector Sees 16% Growth in Premiums for 2026
Ukrainian insurers reported a 16% year-on-year increase in gross written premiums, reaching over $866 million in the first half of 2026.
U.K. Air Traffic Control System Failure Causes Massive Flight Cancellations
A technical glitch in the U.K.'s air traffic control system resulted in over 2,000 flight cancellations, raising concerns about previous failures.
Kyrgyzstan's Insurance Sector Sees 40% Surge in Premiums
Kyrgyzstan's insurance market experienced a 40% rise in gross written premiums, driven largely by significant growth in property insurance.
Illinois Attorney General Takes Action Against ABC Plumbing Over Misleading Practices
Illinois AG Kwame Raoul has sued ABC Plumbing for deceptive practices targeting consumers, particularly seniors, and seeks financial relief and injunctions.
BNY's Carl Slabicki Drives Practical Innovation in Global Payments and Trade
Carl Slabicki of BNY focuses on actionable strategies for connecting payments, liquidity, and trade amid evolving financial demands.
Market Outlook: Futures Show Decline Amid Lower Oil Prices
U.S. futures indicate a downturn, with oil prices dropping significantly year-over-year, reflecting broader market tensions.
Critical Economic Reports and Data Releases for Early January 2026
Key economic indicators set for release next week include CPI, retail sales, and manufacturing surveys, reflecting market trends and consumer sentiment.
Q3 2025 Household Net Worth Surges to $181.6 Trillion Amid Debt Increases
Household net worth reached $181.6 trillion in Q3 2025, influenced by rising corporate equities and a slight decrease in real estate values.
December Employment Report Highlights Challenges Despite Drop in Unemployment
The December employment report shows a decline in the unemployment rate to 4.4%, but job growth fell short of expectations, casting doubt on economic strength.
U.S. December Employment Report: 50,000 Jobs Added, Unemployment Falls to 4.4%
In December, U.S. nonfarm payrolls increased by 50,000 while the unemployment rate decreased slightly to 4.4%, amid downward revisions for previous months.
U.S. Trade Deficit Narrows to $29.4 Billion in October
In October, the U.S. trade deficit dropped to $29.4 billion, reflecting increases in exports and decreases in imports, particularly from China.
Initial Jobless Claims Rise to 208,000 Amid Slight Four-Week Average Drop
Initial unemployment claims increased to 208,000, surpassing estimates, while the four-week average dipped to its lowest since April.
ISM Services PMI Hits 54.4% in December, Signaling Continued Sector Growth
The ISM Services PMI rose to 54.4% in December, reflecting ongoing expansion in economic activity, especially in employment.
U.S. Job Openings Shift: November Sees Decline to 7.1 Million
U.S. job openings dropped slightly to 7.1 million in November, with overall hires and separations stable compared to previous months.
Light Vehicle Sales Rise to 16.0 Million SAAR in December, Yet Show Year-over-Year Decline
December saw light vehicle sales hit 16.0 million SAAR, a 1.9% increase from November but a 4.9% drop from the same month in 2024.