ECB’s Philip Lane Warns Middle East Conflict Could Keep Inflation Elevated 
Tokyo Inflation Cools in May, Supporting BOJ’s Cautious Rate Hike Path 
Dollar Gains Slightly as U.S.-Iran Tensions Keep Forex Markets on Edge 
Gold Prices Hold Near Record Levels as Inflation Concerns Offset Middle East Ceasefire Hopes 
UK Grocery Inflation Slows to 3.1% as Supermarket Price Pressures Ease in May 2026 
Canada and Germany Advance Major LNG Supply Partnership 
Asian Stocks Rally as AI Boom and Iran Ceasefire Progress Lift Market Sentiment 
US Imposes Fresh Iran Oil Sanctions Despite Progress on Ceasefire Talks 
S&P 500 Hits Record High as Tech Rally Slows Amid Iran Peace Uncertainty 
Iran-U.S. Nuclear Talks Remain Unresolved as Strait of Hormuz Risks Keep Markets on Edge 
Asian Currencies Steady as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Extension Hopes Weigh on Dollar 
New World Screwworm Found Near U.S. Border Raises Threat to Cattle Industry and Beef Prices 
South Korea Central Bank Holds Interest Rates Steady Amid Inflation Concerns 
European EV Sales Surge in April 2026 as Tesla and Chinese Automakers Gain Ground 
U.S. Launches New Strikes on Iran as Trump Signals Peace Deal Uncertainty 
Wall Street Reaches New Record Highs as AI Boom and Iran Ceasefire Hopes Boost Markets 
Oil Prices Jump After New U.S. Strikes on Iran Raise Supply Concerns 
In January 2025, the U.S. economy added 143,000 jobs, which was below the expected 169,000. The unemployment rate declined by a small percentage to 4.0%. Health care, retail, and social assistance gained jobs, but the mining and oil industries lost jobs. Job numbers for November and December were revised to be better than reported. The average workweek of all workers fell by 0.1 hour to 34.1 hours, while earnings per hour were up by 3.9% since a year ago.
Canada, however, created 76,000 jobs in January, much better than anticipated. The unemployment rate fell to 6.6%. The country saw more young people at work, more jobs for women, and more men aged 25 to 54. Manufacturing jobs were added most, 33,000, and average hourly wages grew 3.5% to $35.99. Total hours worked rose too.
The University of Michigan's February report showed an inflation expectation rise where 1-year expectations reached a record high since November 2023 to 4.3% compared to 3.3%. Five-year expectations, however, rose very slightly from 3.2% to 3.3%. Meanwhile, consumer sentiment hit its lowest point since July, after it went down to 67.8, while economists targeted an increase of 74 from January 71.1.
Markets look for US inflation, GDP, and Powell's testimony for further direction next week.
