latest news in economy
Lazard Forecasts Rising US Inflation in Early 2026 Amid Economic Wild Cards
New York, Saturday, 17 January 2026.
Lazard projects rising inflation for early 2026, warning that unforeseen ‘wild cards’ necessitate urgent updates to corporate risk management and investment strategies in a volatile landscape.
Morningstar Identifies Deep Value in Lagging Sectors After Historic Market Rally
Chicago, Saturday, 17 January 2026.
Despite the S&P 500’s 39% surge since April 2025, Morningstar analysts pinpoint ten five-star stocks trading at steep discounts—some like Bath & Body Works at just 42% of fair value—offering a strategic hedge against overvaluation.
Transaction Monitoring and PaaS Markets Skyrocket by 2033
Washington, Saturday, 17 January 2026.
Transaction monitoring is expected to reach $47.60 billion, while PaaS will exceed $335.15 billion by 2033. PaaS growth is driven by AI & Machine Learning Workloads which are the fastest-growing segment with a CAGR of 24.3%.
Inflation and Federal Policies Trigger Spike in Missed Small Business Payrolls
Washington, Friday, 16 January 2026.
Data from January 15, 2026, shows rising payroll failures among U.S. small businesses. This financial stress point historically precipitates an 8-10% workforce reduction within six months.
New AI Model Quantifies Investor Sentiment to Reveal Hidden Market Risks
New York, Friday, 16 January 2026.
Researchers utilizing AI have identified “emotional vulnerability” as a key pricing factor. Analysis confirms that emotionally stable stocks consistently outperform vulnerable ones, offering a powerful new metric for risk assessment.
Global Investors Push US Debt Holdings to Record $9.3 Trillion
Washington D.C., Friday, 16 January 2026.
Global confidence in U.S. financial stability has staged a remarkable recovery following the historic 43-day government shutdown. New data reveals that foreign holdings of U.S. Treasuries surged to an unprecedented $9.355 trillion in November 2025. This influx contributed to a robust $212 billion net capital inflow, signaling that international investors are largely looking past Washington’s recent fiscal volatility. However, a distinct divergence in strategy has emerged among major economic powers. While Japan, the United Kingdom, and Canada aggressively increased their portfolios—with Japan cementing its status as the largest holder at $1.2 trillion—China continued its strategic retreat. Beijing reduced its exposure to $682.6 billion, the lowest level since 2008, highlighting a deepening geopolitical rift in financial markets even as broader global sentiment rallies around the U.S. dollar.
New York City Economic Recovery Stalls as Business Closures Reach Post-Pandemic High
New York, Friday, 16 January 2026.
A staggering 8,400 businesses shuttered in one quarter, erasing New York City’s post-2022 start-up gains and signaling a critical contraction in the metropolitan economic landscape.
US Power Generation Hits Record Growth Amidst Rising Data Center Demand
Washington, Thursday, 15 January 2026.
United States utility electricity generation climbed 3% in 2025, marking the beginning of the strongest four-year demand growth period in a quarter-century. Driven largely by the explosive energy needs of data centers and artificial intelligence, this surge has reshaped the grid’s composition, triggering a 13% rebound in coal consumption and a 2.4% rise in emissions. As the EIA forecasts continued expansion through 2027, the sector faces a pivotal moment where soaring technological demand collides with shifting federal policies and significant infrastructure constraints.