Washington, June 25 (IANS) The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Thursday said the ceasefire in the Middle East and progress towards reopening the Strait of Hormuz have eased immediate risks to the global economy, although it cautioned that the full impact of the recent conflict has yet to play out.Speaking at a regular IMF press briefing, Julie Kozack, Director of the IMF’s Communications Department, said the war had once again tested the resilience of the global economy, but recent developm…
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New Delhi, June 25 (IANS) Indian equities may remain range-bound in the near term, but long-term outlook remains positive, backed by strong economic fundamentals and structural growth drivers, a report said on Thursday.The report from PL Wealth recommended staggered investments in quality large‑cap and large‑and‑mid‑cap strategies for short‑term investors.As inflation pressures ease and external headwinds decline over the medium term — six to 24 months — domestic growth drivers sho…
Washington, May 29 (IANS) The Trump administration has ruled out the creation of a US central bank digital currency (CBDC), with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent arguing that government-issued digital money could become a tool for tracking financial activity and threatening personal freedoms. At a White House briefing, Bessent said the administration’s position on a digital dollar was unequivocal.”This administration has been very clear there will be no central bank digital currency,” he told re…
Washington, Aprril 30 (IANS) Surging oil prices driven by the Middle East conflict are clouding the US Federal Reserve’s economic outlook, with policymakers warning of rising inflation and uneven global impact, particularly on energy-dependent regions such as Asia. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said higher energy costs are already feeding into inflation, complicating the central bank’s policy path. “Inflation has moved up and is elevated, in part reflecting the recent increase in glo…
New Delhi, April 27 (IANS) Investment share in India’s gold consumption rose to 42 per cent in CY25 from 29 per cent in CY24 as investment demand surged, led by gold ETFs and bar-and-coin buying, reflecting safe-haven demand, diversification motives and geopolitical uncertainty, a report showed on Monday.Global gold demand reached a record in CY25, up 8 per cent YoY to roughly 5,000 metric tonnes (MT), driven primarily by robust investment demand despite sharply higher gold prices and macroeco…
New Delhi, April 18 (IANS) As India gears up to celebrate Akshaya Tritiya on Sunday — an auspicious occasion for buying gold — macroeconomic trends are reinforcing the metal’s investment appeal alongside tradition, with analysts seeing prices rise up to Rs 1.85 lakh, according to a new report.An analysis by Axis Direct said gold is well-positioned in the current global environment and could gain whether the economy weakens into stagflation or improves amid falling interest rates.“Whether t…
Washington, April 16 (IANS) Global conflicts and supply chain disruptions are adding to economic stress in developing countries, with the Intergovernmental Group of Twenty-Four (G-24) warning that recent gains on inflation and growth are at risk.Speaking at a press briefing during the Spring Meetings, G-24 Chair Olawale Edun said: “Numerous political crises and conflicts globally have significantly impacted… populations and further strained the fragile global economy, with particularly adver…
Washington, April 15 (IANS) Global financial markets have remained resilient despite volatility triggered by the Middle East conflict, the International Monetary Fund said and warned that rising debt levels and limited policy space could amplify risks if conditions worsen.Presenting the latest Global Financial Stability Report, IMF Financial Counsellor Tobias Adrian said markets have so far absorbed geopolitical volatility without major disruption. “The financial system has been resilient so f…
Washington, April 15 (IANS) The global economy is facing a sharp slowdown and rising inflation risks as the war in the Middle East disrupts energy supplies, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) warned on Tuesday, signalling heightened uncertainty for policymakers and markets.Presenting the latest World Economic Outlook, IMF Chief Economist Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas said the conflict has “halted” earlier growth momentum and raised the risk of a major energy shock, with oil and gas prices sur…
Washington, April 14 (IANS) The US dollar has retained its role as a global safe-haven currency despite recent volatility, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has said, even as central banks worldwide remain on high alert to contain inflation risks triggered by the Middle East conflict. Speaking during a group interview with reporters from India, Japan, the UAE, the Netherlands and Chile, IMF Chief Economist Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas said recent market movements indicate a return to more tr…