Latest Finance-Economy News
Trump Imposes 15% Global Tariff After SCOTUS Strikes Down IEEPA
President Trump announced a 15% tariff on imports under Section 122 of the Trade Act, effective 12:01 AM EST February 24, 2026, following the Supreme Court's February 20 ruling invalidating IEEPA tariffs. IEEPA duties end at midnight EST, with Section 122 tariffs lasting 150 days unless Congress extends them; exemptions apply to certain goods in Annexes I and II.
Importers face new duties on items like Lauan plywood, with refunds possible for prior IEEPA tariffs via court.
IEEPA Tariffs Terminated, Section 122 Takes Over in Trade Policy Shift
US Customs and Border Protection will cease collecting IEEPA tariffs starting midnight EST February 24, 2026, after Trump's executive order post-SCOTUS decision. The new 15% Section 122 tariff applies broadly, with expected expansions in Sections 301 and 232 investigations across industries like steel and autos.
This maintains tariff pressures while addressing legal challenges, potentially impacting global trade flows.
US Consumer Confidence Headlines Tuesday's Economic Data Slate
Traders focus on the Conference Board Consumer Confidence report on February 24, alongside housing indicators, Fed speeches, and wholesale trade data. Multiple FOMC members including Bostic, Collins, Waller, Goolsbee, and Barkin speak, potentially signaling policy directions.
Additional releases include 2-Year Note Auction, API Crude Stocks, Dallas Fed Services Revenues, and M2 Money Supply.
Week Ahead: Flash PMIs Signal US Slowdown, Japan and UK Acceleration
February flash PMIs show US business growth at a 10-month low due to weather and tariffs, while Japan hits 33-month high and UK fastest in 22 months. US price growth remains elevated, with firms citing tariffs and affordability for weak orders; upcoming US producer prices, factory orders, and consumer confidence key.
Europe sees Q4 GDP for Germany/France and Feb CPI prelims; APAC watches Japan IP and Australia CPI for rate hike clues.
AI Hijacks Momentum Trade, Creating Historic Price-Sentiment Divergence
Price momentum gained 5.1% in January 2026 versus -0.6% for analyst sentiment, collapsing correlation from 0.86 to 0.33 amid AI/tech concentration. Nearly half of momentum returns stem from industry tilts in developed markets like US/Europe; emerging markets face headwinds from tariffs and China news.
History shows such gaps narrow within six months, but persistent AI theme could sustain or unwind sharply.
Bank of Japan Eyes Further Tightening After PMI High
Japan's expansion hit a 33-month high in February PMI, supporting BOJ policy tightening after December's 30-year rate high. Upcoming industrial production data will inform next steps amid stronger growth versus US/eurozone.
This contrasts US slowdown, influencing global rate expectations.
Australia RBA Warns of More Hikes if Q1 Inflation Worries
Reserve Bank of Australia hiked rates first since 2023 in February, signaling further moves based on upcoming CPI data. APAC inflation and policy watches include Australia's CPI alongside Japan's IP.
This comes as developed economies diverge from US pace.
Eurozone and UK Consumer Confidence Tests Rate Cut Benefits
Europe's consumer confidence data will gauge if lower UK/eurozone rates aid households; accompanies Germany/France Q4 GDP finals and Feb CPI prelims for France, Germany, Spain. UK GfK Consumer Confidence (Feb) and Nationwide Housing Prices also due Wednesday.
Germany GfK (Mar) adds to Tuesday releases.
US M2 Money Supply and Services Revenues in Focus
US M2 Money Supply (prev. 22.40T) releases at 1:00 PM ET, tracking broad household money measures. Dallas Fed Services Revenues (prev. 7.8) at 10:30 AM ET gauges sector revenue changes.
These provide insights into economic health amid Fed speeches.
Treasury 2-Year Note Auction Signals Debt Market Expectations
2-Year Note Auction at 1:00 PM ET (prev. yield 3.580%) reflects investor return views on US government debt. Comes amid heavy economic calendar influencing yields and policy bets.
API Weekly Crude Stocks at 4:30 PM ET tracks petroleum demand.
Global Economic Calendar Packed with GDP, CPI, PMI Releases
Tuesday features France Business Confidence (Feb), South Korea Consumer Confidence, China Loan Prime Rate; Wednesday includes Canada Mfg Sales, Eurozone CPI final (Jan), Sweden/TĂĽrkiye/Switzerland GDP. Austria Mfg PMI (Feb), UK housing prices also key.
These guide central bank paths amid divergent growth.