INDEX

1558 ENTRIES · UPDATED 2026.09.29

1297 Major Currencies Diverge as Economic Data Drives Shifting Market Sentiment | 20th August, 2026Major currency markets moved in different directions as investors responded to a fresh round of domestic and regional economic signals. The Australian Dollar weakened after disappointing labor data showed unemployment rising to 4.5%, while the Japanese Yen remained under pressure 2026.08.20 1298 Hong Kong conglomerate seeks $1.5 billion in damages from Panama for takeover of canal portsHong Kong conglomerate CK Hutchison said Thursday it was seeking more than $1.5 billion in damages from Panama after the country seized two canal ports caught in the crosshairs of U.S.-China tensions. CK Hutchison said in the statement that it had begun new arbitration proceeding 2026.08.20 1299 Pound Rallies As UK Inflation Jumps AgainGBPUSD is pushing higher today with the pair now back at its highest level since May. The move comes amidst a weakening in the US Dollar this week ahead of tonight’s FOMC minutes and UK data today showing that inflation remains elevated. UK CPI Rises Again Focusing on the UK data 2026.08.20 1300 EUR/USD breakout puts dollar pressure valve in focusThe dollar was absolutely hammered on Wednesday as the US Treasury stepped in to support the long end of the bond market, announcing it will double planned buyback sizes for 10 to 30-year debt to at least $4 billion per operation. While the increase is slated to run through to ea 2026.08.20 1301 Australia jobless rate hits near 5-year high of 4.5% in JulyAustralian employment unexpectedly fell in July and the jobless rate hit its highest point since late 2021, data showed on Thursday, adding to signs of a cooling labour market and easing pressure for another interest rate hike. The report sent the Australian dollar down 0.2% to $ 2026.08.20 1302 How did U.S. debt hit $40 trillion? Here's what to knowTotal public debt hit $40 trillion Wednesday, faster than expected. There is a lot to unpack about the national debt, which is easily misunderstood. Here's a starter guide to what's happening with the national debt right now. There are many ways to measure the national debt. This 2026.08.20 1303 Counterintuitive Labor Market Shifts Constrain Measured U.S. Wage GainsThe headline U.S. unemployment rate has been falling for several months, but a closer look at who is leaving the workforce – and who isn’t entering or returning to it – reveals why average wages are stagnating, and why labor markets aren’t a source of inflationary pressure. In la 2026.08.20 1304 Trump announces ‘most crushing economic operation ever’ against IranUS President Donald Trump has again threatened Iran with unprecedented economic action, accusing Tehran of failing to seize an opportunity to reach a deal as talks aimed at ending the more than five-month conflict between the two countries remain deadlocked. In a post on Truth So 2026.08.20 1305 Gold, silver surge as Treasury fans embers of dollar debasement tradeYesterday, I argued that the US dollar was likely to be the key variable in determining whether the breakouts seen in gold and silver earlier this month would extend further or reverse. Less than 24 hours later, we got our answer. The dollar was absolutely shellacked on Wednesday 2026.08.20 1306 Labour Force, Australia, July 2026In seasonally adjusted terms, in July 2026: • the employment-to-population ratio decreased 0.2ppt to 63.9%. • the unemployment rate was 4.5%. In trend terms, in July 2026: • the employment-to-population ratio remained at 63.9%. • the unemployment rate was 4.5%. tables For the Jun 2026.08.20 1307 Japan exports beat estimates in July as robust chip shipments power fifth straight month of gainsSemiconductor shipments continued to power Japan’s exports in July, helping clock the fastest growth since October 2022, beating expectations. Exports growth accelerated for a fifth straight month, coming in at 23.2%. Economists polled by Reuters had estimated growth at 19.9%. Sh 2026.08.20 1308 Fed minutes lean hawkish, but we don’t expect a hikeThe minutes to the July Federal Reserve FOMC policy meeting lean a touch hawkishly, but that was to be expected given three officials had dissented. Beth Hammack, Lorie Logan and Neel Kashkari had all voted for an immediate 25bp interest rate increase, while nine other committee 2026.08.20