By TOI World Desk
The Federal Reserve is poised to lower its benchmark interest rate by a quarter point this week, marking the first in what could be a series of cuts designed to support economic growth amid shifting political and market conditions. Economists expect further reductions in October and December, while updated Fed projections will reveal how new Trump administration policies and leadership changes are shaping monetary policy. Financial markets are already responding with lower Treasury yields and mixed equity performance as investors weigh the benefits of easier borrowing against ongoing global and political uncertainty. The outcome of the Fed’s decision will be closely watched for its influence on consumer confidence, business investment, and the broader U.S. economy heading into 2026.
The Federal Reserve is poised to lower its benchmark interest rate by a quarter point this week, marking the first in what could be a series of cuts designed to support economic growth amid shifting political and market conditions. Economists expect further reductions in October and December, while updated Fed projections will reveal how new Trump administration policies and leadership changes are shaping monetary policy. Financial markets are already responding with lower Treasury yields and mixed equity performance as investors weigh the benefits of easier borrowing against ongoing global and political uncertainty. The outcome of the Fed’s decision will be closely watched for its influence on consumer confidence, business investment, and the broader U.S. economy heading into 2026.
By TOI World Desk
U.S. single-family housing construction slowed sharply in August, dropping 7% to the weakest pace in more than two years. Government data showed both starts and permits declined, reflecting oversupply and weakening demand in the housing market despite easing mortgage rates. Analysts say high costs, affordability challenges, and shifting demographics are dampening activity, with builders cautious after past overbuilding. While some remain hopeful that upcoming Federal Reserve rate cuts could revive demand in early 2026, most agree the market is transitioning to a slower, more sustainable pace of growth.
U.S. single-family housing construction slowed sharply in August, dropping 7% to the weakest pace in more than two years. Government data showed both starts and permits declined, reflecting oversupply and weakening demand in the housing market despite easing mortgage rates. Analysts say high costs, affordability challenges, and shifting demographics are dampening activity, with builders cautious after past overbuilding. While some remain hopeful that upcoming Federal Reserve rate cuts could revive demand in early 2026, most agree the market is transitioning to a slower, more sustainable pace of growth.
By TOI World Desk
Wall Street finished mixed as investors awaited the Federal Reserve’s upcoming decision on interest rate cuts. The Dow Jones was supported by financial stocks, while the Nasdaq lagged behind amid weakness in technology shares. Nvidia tumbled after reports that Chinese regulators instructed tech companies to stop buying its AI chips, heightening trade and regulatory concerns. The uncertainty ahead of the Fed’s move kept markets cautious, with investors balancing optimism about easing rates against ongoing geopolitical and tech sector pressures.
Wall Street finished mixed as investors awaited the Federal Reserve’s upcoming decision on interest rate cuts. The Dow Jones was supported by financial stocks, while the Nasdaq lagged behind amid weakness in technology shares. Nvidia tumbled after reports that Chinese regulators instructed tech companies to stop buying its AI chips, heightening trade and regulatory concerns. The uncertainty ahead of the Fed’s move kept markets cautious, with investors balancing optimism about easing rates against ongoing geopolitical and tech sector pressures.
By TOI World Desk
Workday, Inc. has announced a definitive agreement to acquire AI startup Sana, known for its AI-powered search, digital agents, and learning tools. The acquisition will strengthen Workday’s AI-first strategy by integrating Sana’s flagship products — Sana Learn and Sana Agents — into its enterprise cloud platform. Analysts view the move as part of a broader trend in enterprise software, with major players like Microsoft and Salesforce also investing heavily in AI assistants. The deal, which remains subject to closing conditions, reflects Workday’s goal of enhancing productivity, employee engagement, and decision-making through advanced AI capabilities.
Workday, Inc. has announced a definitive agreement to acquire AI startup Sana, known for its AI-powered search, digital agents, and learning tools. The acquisition will strengthen Workday’s AI-first strategy by integrating Sana’s flagship products — Sana Learn and Sana Agents — into its enterprise cloud platform. Analysts view the move as part of a broader trend in enterprise software, with major players like Microsoft and Salesforce also investing heavily in AI assistants. The deal, which remains subject to closing conditions, reflects Workday’s goal of enhancing productivity, employee engagement, and decision-making through advanced AI capabilities.
By TOI World Desk
A fresh debate over U.S. corporate transparency has reignited after President Donald Trump renewed his call to end quarterly earnings reporting. The proposal, now a priority for the Securities and Exchange Commission, would shift companies to a semiannual cycle. Supporters argue it would cut costs and curb short-termism, pointing to examples in Singapore and Europe. Critics, including institutional investors and market watchdogs, warn that fewer disclosures could weaken accountability and reduce market efficiency. The decision could reshape U.S. capital markets, altering how investors and companies interact.
A fresh debate over U.S. corporate transparency has reignited after President Donald Trump renewed his call to end quarterly earnings reporting. The proposal, now a priority for the Securities and Exchange Commission, would shift companies to a semiannual cycle. Supporters argue it would cut costs and curb short-termism, pointing to examples in Singapore and Europe. Critics, including institutional investors and market watchdogs, warn that fewer disclosures could weaken accountability and reduce market efficiency. The decision could reshape U.S. capital markets, altering how investors and companies interact.
By TOI World Desk
U.S. companies in China are reporting their lowest confidence levels in over 25 years, according to the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai’s latest survey. Only 41 percent of businesses expressed optimism about their five-year outlook, marking a record low. While profitability improved in 2024, with more than 70 percent of firms reporting positive earnings, concerns about U.S.-China trade tensions, tariffs, and rising competition from local firms are driving long-term pessimism. Many companies are shifting investments to Southeast Asia as they adopt a “China plus one” strategy. The report underscores how Washington-Beijing frictions, President Donald Trump’s tariffs, and China’s slowing economy are reshaping corporate strategy.
U.S. companies in China are reporting their lowest confidence levels in over 25 years, according to the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai’s latest survey. Only 41 percent of businesses expressed optimism about their five-year outlook, marking a record low. While profitability improved in 2024, with more than 70 percent of firms reporting positive earnings, concerns about U.S.-China trade tensions, tariffs, and rising competition from local firms are driving long-term pessimism. Many companies are shifting investments to Southeast Asia as they adopt a “China plus one” strategy. The report underscores how Washington-Beijing frictions, President Donald Trump’s tariffs, and China’s slowing economy are reshaping corporate strategy.
By TOI World Desk
Tesla shares surged more than 6% after CEO Elon Musk disclosed the purchase of nearly $1 billion in company stock, boosting confidence just as Tesla’s board pushes for a record $1 trillion pay package to secure his leadership. The buy strengthens Musk’s stake and signals confidence ahead of a critical November shareholder vote. Analysts see the move as both strategic and symbolic, tying into Musk’s push for greater control over Tesla’s AI and robotics future.
Tesla shares surged more than 6% after CEO Elon Musk disclosed the purchase of nearly $1 billion in company stock, boosting confidence just as Tesla’s board pushes for a record $1 trillion pay package to secure his leadership. The buy strengthens Musk’s stake and signals confidence ahead of a critical November shareholder vote. Analysts see the move as both strategic and symbolic, tying into Musk’s push for greater control over Tesla’s AI and robotics future.
By TOI World Desk
The Federal Reserve is poised to cut interest rates for the first time in 2025 as the job market weakens and inflation remains above target. Economists expect a quarter-point reduction this week, but divisions remain over how far and fast the Fed should move. The Federal Reserve is preparing to cut interest rates this week for the first time in 2025, a decision that reflects growing concern over a weakening U.S. labor market. After keeping its benchmark rate unchanged for nine months, the Fed is expected to deliver at least a quarter-point reduction during its September 16–17 meeting, with the possibility of further cuts later in the year. The move comes as unemployment rises to its highest level since 2021, and recent revisions indicate that the economy actually lost jobs in June, signaling a troubling slowdown in hiring.At the same time, inflation remains elevated at 2.9% overall and 3.1% on a core basis, above the Fed’s 2% target. This tension highlights the Fed’s dual challenge: protecting jobs while preventing inflation from spiraling out of control. Chair Jerome Powell has acknowledged that tariffs and trade disputes are raising prices, but has warned that labor market risks are becoming more urgent.
The Federal Reserve is poised to cut interest rates for the first time in 2025 as the job market weakens and inflation remains above target. Economists expect a quarter-point reduction this week, but divisions remain over how far and fast the Fed should move. The Federal Reserve is preparing to cut interest rates this week for the first time in 2025, a decision that reflects growing concern over a weakening U.S. labor market. After keeping its benchmark rate unchanged for nine months, the Fed is expected to deliver at least a quarter-point reduction during its September 16–17 meeting, with the possibility of further cuts later in the year. The move comes as unemployment rises to its highest level since 2021, and recent revisions indicate that the economy actually lost jobs in June, signaling a troubling slowdown in hiring.At the same time, inflation remains elevated at 2.9% overall and 3.1% on a core basis, above the Fed’s 2% target. This tension highlights the Fed’s dual challenge: protecting jobs while preventing inflation from spiraling out of control. Chair Jerome Powell has acknowledged that tariffs and trade disputes are raising prices, but has warned that labor market risks are becoming more urgent.
By TOI World Desk
The European Central Bank held interest rates steady at 2 percent on Thursday, citing stable inflation and modest growth in the eurozone despite U.S. tariffs. ECB President Christine Lagarde said policy will be decided “meeting by meeting.” Inflation stood at 2.1 percent in August, aligning with the bank’s target. While trade tensions eased after a tariff cap agreement with Washington, France’s widening deficit and political gridlock have raised concerns over potential market instability.
The European Central Bank held interest rates steady at 2 percent on Thursday, citing stable inflation and modest growth in the eurozone despite U.S. tariffs. ECB President Christine Lagarde said policy will be decided “meeting by meeting.” Inflation stood at 2.1 percent in August, aligning with the bank’s target. While trade tensions eased after a tariff cap agreement with Washington, France’s widening deficit and political gridlock have raised concerns over potential market instability.
By TOI World Desk
Unemployment claims in the U.S. rose to 263,000 last week, the highest level since 2021, signaling labor market weakness. The increase strengthens expectations that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates next week, though elevated inflation complicates policy decisions.
Unemployment claims in the U.S. rose to 263,000 last week, the highest level since 2021, signaling labor market weakness. The increase strengthens expectations that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates next week, though elevated inflation complicates policy decisions.
