U.S. Economic Resilience in February

U.S. personal income and consumer spending both increased in February, driven by wage gains and transfer payments. Consumer spending rose 0.4%, indicating steady demand despite inflation. Manufacturing wages and services sector wages also saw growth. The data suggests economic resilience despite gloomy consumer confidence surveys.

U.S. Employment Report for January

Employers in the U.S. added 143,000 workers to payrolls in January, with the unemployment rate slipping to 4.0%. Economists had expected 168,000 jobs. Wage gains were stronger than expected, with average hourly earnings rising by 0.5%.

U.S. Employment Data for April

In April, U.S. employers added 175,000 workers to payrolls, with the unemployment rate rising to 3.9%. The weaker-than-expected figure may lead to hopes for rate cuts. Wage gains moderated, and the goods-producing and services sectors saw changes in employment. The Federal Reserve's rate cut projections have fluctuated based on economic data.

Japan's Central Bank Raises Interest Rates

Japan's central bank raised interest rates for the first time since 2007, ending the negative rates regime due to robust wage gains. The bank also announced changes to its policies on bond purchases and quantitative easing.