Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
BOJ Rate Decision in Focus as Yen Weakness and Inflation Shape Market Outlook 
India–U.S. Interim Trade Pact Cuts Auto Tariffs but Leaves Tesla Out 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
Bank of Japan Signals Cautious Path Toward Further Rate Hikes Amid Yen Weakness 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
U.S. economy may be continuing its growth and remains still a bit far away from recession, but sections of the economy remain well into contraction. Many of the indicators like real gross domestic Private investments are pointing towards looming recessionary possibilities. Another such is Total Business Sales, released from U.S. Bureau of the Census.
Since January 2015, the year on year growth rate in Total Business Sales has remained in the negative, which means it is in the negative for 18 months, which would be six quarters. Last time the business sales growth was negative dates back to the great recession of 2008/09 when the contraction lasted for 13 months but the contraction was much steeper than the current. Before that, the growth was negative in 2001, which was followed by recession and the contraction in business sales lasted for 12-13 months.
Some of the Fed officials like Jerome Powell is worried on secular stagnation. Maybe he is right in doing so.
