China Hits Its GDP Target—In a Weird Way
China reported a 5% year‑on‑year GDP increase for 2025, meeting its official growth target for the third consecutive year. The expansion occurred despite a faster‑than‑expected population decline and a slowdown in domestic investment. A record trade surplus of nearly $1.2 trillion, driven by robust export performance, compensated for the investment weakness. The figures were released amid ongoing US‑China tariff disputes, highlighting the resilience of China’s external sector.
Why America’s Bond Market Just Keeps Winning
The article argues that despite soaring federal debt and politically‑driven monetary policy, the United States bond market continues to attract robust demand. Treasury yields remain low as both domestic and foreign investors view U.S. debt as a safe‑haven asset. The...
Donald Trump’s Crusade Against Usury Reaches Wall Street
President Donald Trump has turned his anti‑usury rhetoric into a Wall Street‑focused campaign, urging the Federal Reserve to cut benchmark rates and targeting private lenders he deems predatory. The White House has begun filing formal complaints against payday‑loan operators and...
Is Passive Investment Inflating a Stockmarket Bubble?
A decade after a provocative Bernstein note, passive investing now dominates U.S. equity funds, holding roughly 60 % of net assets. The surge is driven by low fees, algorithmic trading, and confidence in market efficiency, concentrating ownership among a few index...
It’s Not Just the Fed. Politics Looms over Central Banks Everywhere
Central banks worldwide are confronting heightened political pressure, challenging long‑standing notions of independence. In the United States, President Donald Trump has publicly urged the Federal Reserve to accelerate rate cuts, intensifying a clash with Chair Jerome Powell. The tension escalated...