Gdp

• The U.S. economy slowed in the second quarter of 2026, expanding at an annual rate of 1.5 percent. • This deceleration is attributed to an ongoing war with Iran, which has severely disrupted global supply chains, energy markets, and pricing. • Persistent price pressures resulting from these disruptions are creating significant instability across financial markets.

• Major stock indexes surged on Thursday, recovering from a previous day's plunge that followed the Federal Reserve's decision to maintain current interest rates. • Market volatility was highlighted by divergent movements in Microsoft and Meta Platforms shares as investors focused on the "Magnificent Seven" mega-cap tech firms. • The rally coincides with new economic data showing a slowdown in GDP growth and PCE inflation figures that aligned with analyst estimates.

• In the first quarter of 2026, the seasonally adjusted general government deficit to GDP ratio for the euro area (EA21) and the European Union was 3.1%. • This figure represents a slight decrease from the 3.2% deficit recorded in the fourth quarter of 2025. • These indicators provide a critical measure of fiscal health and stability across the member states of the EU and the euro area.

Health Foundation paper argues health is an economic asset and improving it could generate £72bn for public financesRestoring the deteriorating health of the UK’s population to the level of 2014 would boost GDP by 2% and generate a £72bn dividend for the public finances, research suggests.A paper by the Health Foundation thinktank, published on Sunday, argues the nation’s health should be valued by policymakers as an economic asset. Continue reading...

• Asian stock markets rose following the release of soft US Consumer Price Index (CPI) data, which boosted investor sentiment regarding potential interest rate cuts. • Market performance was mixed, with Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index advancing 1.5%, while China’s Shanghai Composite and the CSI 300 both edged down by 0.3%. • Traders are currently balancing the positive US inflation data against geopolitical risks stemming from tensions in Iran and China's recent GDP miss.

• China's GDP growth in the second quarter slowed to its lowest pace in three and a half years, missing market expectations. • The year-on-year growth rate marks the slowest expansion since the fourth quarter of 2022. • This cooling indicates a significant slowdown in China's economic momentum, raising concerns about the country's overall recovery trajectory.

• Asian stock markets showed mixed results, highlighted by a significant rally where South Korea's KOSPI jumped nearly 6%. • Other regional indices, including Japan's Nikkei, Hong Kong's Hang Seng, and Australia's ASX 200, also recorded gains. • In contrast, China's Shanghai Composite remained largely unchanged following reports that the country's GDP growth failed to meet forecasts.