Economy
Our coverage of global economics, from inflation-fighting central banks to apprehensive financial markets
The US economy
The return of Trumponomics excites markets but frightens the world
It may bring stronger growth, higher inflation and a global trade war
American men are getting back to work
The ultra-gloomy picture painted by politicians is no longer accurate
America’s economy is bigger and better than ever
Will politics bring it back to Earth?
The American economy has left other rich countries in the dust
Expect that to continue, argue Simon Rabinovitch and Henry Curr
The US tax code will change next year; the presidential election will determine how
Donald Trump promises cuts galore, while Kamala Harris would target the middle-class
What America’s presidential election means for world trade
The first in a series of eight concise briefs on the consequences of the 2024 election
China’s economy
China is tightening its grip on the world’s minerals
That is making Western policymakers anxious
Why China may be saving its bazooka for Donald Trump
The Communist Party may be hoarding fiscal firepower to offset a possible trade war
Why investors should still avoid Chinese stocks
The debate about “uninvestability” obscures something important
China’s property crisis claims more victims: companies
Unsold homes are contributing to a balance-sheet recession
Don’t celebrate China’s stimulus just yet
It will take more than a spectacular stockmarket rally to revive the economy
Xi Jinping’s belated stimulus has reset the mood in Chinese markets
But can the buying frenzy last?
Russia’s economy
How Vladimir Putin hopes to transform Russian trade
He believes the country’s future lies with China and India. What could go wrong?
Vladimir Putin spends big—and sends Russia’s economy soaring
How long can the party last?
How Vladimir Putin created a housing bubble
Prices have risen by 172% in Russia’s biggest cities over the past three years
European banks are making heady profits in Russia
But for how much longer?
Russia’s gas business will never recover from the war in Ukraine
Hopes of a Chinese rescue look increasingly vain
Frozen Russian assets will soon pay for Ukraine’s war
And America now hopes to convince others to make better use of the stash
Asia’s economies
India is undergoing an astonishing stockmarket revolution
Small investors, rejoice—and beware
How to protect India’s shareholder capitalism from itself
A surge in equity investment is threatened by risky derivatives trading
Donald Trump would leave Asia with only bad options
The continent’s policymakers are too relaxed about the risks
South-East Asia’s stodgy conglomerates are holding it back
The region’s ageing corporate empires are stuck in the past—and too cosy with politicians
The front line of the tech war is in Asia
The two superpowers are vying for influence. China will not necessarily win
Is India’s economy slowing down?
New data highlight old problems
Europe’s economies
Ireland’s government has an unusual problem: too much money
A tax windfall has added to already overflowing coffers
The British budget combines large numbers and a narrow vision
A bigger state but an irrational way to fund it
Germany’s economy goes from bad to worse
Things may look brighter next year, but the relief will be short-lived
How bond investors soured on France
They now regard the euro zone’s second-largest economy as riskier than Spain
France stares into a “colossal” budgetary abyss
A fragile new government must try to plug the hole. Fast
Europe’s green trade restrictions are infuriating poor countries
Only the poorest can expect help to cushion the blow
Data
Three charts show that America’s imports are booming
Here’s why that could spell trouble
The Big Mac index: where to buy a cheap hamburger
Meat-eaters may want to avoid Argentina
The world’s richest countries in 2024
Our annual ranking compares economies in three different ways
The economics of American lotteries
Our analysis shows poorer citizens spend a staggering amount on tickets
Where are Europe’s most expensive cities for renters?
Our “Carrie Bradshaw index” moves across the pond
American consumers are finally cheering up
Much to the relief of Joe Biden
Latest coverage
Finance & economics
America’s strengthening dollar will rattle the rest of the world
Donald Trump’s policies could send the greenback soaring
China
China’s stimulus falls short, as a showdown with Trump looms
The country’s rulers may be saving their fiscal ammunition in case of a trade war
China
Chinese netizens wonder if their economy is in “garbage time”
As the government tries to stimulate growth, some gloomily ponder the long term
Leaders
How to protect India’s shareholder capitalism from itself
A surge in equity investment is threatened by risky derivatives trading
Finance & economics
The return of Trumponomics excites markets but frightens the world
It may bring stronger growth, higher inflation and a global trade war
Finance & economics
Why investors’ “Trump trade” might be flawed
Markets are betting Trump 2.0 would boost the dollar. It could fall instead
Britain
Labour’s budget has given the bond market indigestion
But this is not a repeat of the Liz Truss debacle
Finance & economics
Ireland’s government has an unusual problem: too much money
A tax windfall has added to already overflowing coffers
Finance & economics
Why China needs to fill its empty homes
The country’s economy is broken. A recovery requires a healthier property market
Leaders
Index funds want to continue being treated as “passive” investors
They should act like them, then
Britain
Britain’s budget is heavy on spending but light on reform
Rachel Reeves has raised both borrowing and taxes by historic amounts
Leaders
The British budget combines large numbers and a narrow vision
A bigger state but an irrational way to fund it
Finance & economics
Will bond vigilantes come for America’s next president?
Treasury yields are rising ominously
Finance & economics
America’s glorious economy should help Kamala Harris
Voters are starting to notice the good news just in time for the election
Business
South-East Asia’s stodgy conglomerates are holding it back
The region’s ageing corporate empires are stuck in the past—and too cosy with politicians
Leaders
The blistering rally in gold augurs ill for the power of the dollar
Central banks are shifting away from the greenback