Data and Financial Journalist
Israel’s strikes on Iran’s strategic sites have sent Brent crude and gold prices sharply higher, while potential threats to Kharg Island and the Strait of Hormuz chokepoints could force shipping reroutes, risking wider global supply-chain disruptions.
April’s trade deficit plunged from a revised $138.3 billion in March to $61.6 billion, driven by a 16% drop in imports that reversed the pre-“liberation day” spike.
In Japan, the only Asian economy in G7, core inflation rose at its fastest annual pace in over two years, climbing to 3.5% in April, according to data released Friday. I mapped the inflation (with some caveats) to look at the overall inflation trend in G7 economies.
IMF issued its steepest downgrade for the U.S. among advanced economies, citing rising tariff-related uncertainty and a heightened risk of recession. Global economic sentiment has dimmed, with the IMF now projecting a 37% chance of a U.S. downturn—up sharply from 25% just months ago.