Economics, as it happens

2 Oct 2026 · United States

U.S. nonfarm payrolls rose by 29,000 in September, while the unemployment rate was 4.2%.

1 Oct 2026 · Japan

The Bank of Japan's 1 October 2026 Summary of Opinions says Japan's economy is expected to keep growing moderately, while policymakers continue to watch upside risks to inflation and the case for further policy adjustment.

30 Sept 2026 · United States

U.S. light-duty electric vehicles used 8% more electricity in the first half of 2026 than in the second half of 2025, well below the 13–24% six-month growth rates seen in recent years.

30 Sept 2026 · United States

U.S. real GDP grew at an annualised rate of 2.2% in the second quarter of 2026, 0.7 percentage points above the second estimate but below revised 2.5% growth in Q1.

30 Sept 2026 · United States

U.S. personal consumption expenditures rose 0.9% in August 2026 and real spending increased 0.6%, while the PCE price index was 3.4% higher than a year earlier.

30 Sept 2026 · United Kingdom

The UK underlying current-account deficit, excluding precious metals, narrowed to £11.3 billion in Q2 2026, equal to 1.4% of GDP, from £14.3 billion in Q1.

30 Sept 2026 · United Kingdom

UK real GDP grew by 0.5% in Quarter 2 2026, revised up from the first estimate of 0.4%, after growth of 0.6% in Quarter 1.

28 Sept 2026 · Japan

Minutes from the Bank of Japan's 30–31 July 2026 meeting show members agreed that further policy-rate increases would be appropriate if economic activity and prices develop in line with the Bank's outlook.

25 Sept 2026 · United States

The Henry Hub natural gas spot price averaged $2.93 per million British thermal units from June to August 2026, 6% below the same period in 2025 despite exceptionally hot weather.

24 Sept 2026 · United States

The U.S. current-account deficit widened by $33.4 billion, or 15.7%, to $246.0 billion in Q2 2026, equal to 3.0% of current-dollar GDP compared with 2.7% in Q1.

22 Sept 2026 · United Kingdom

UK public sector borrowing was £18.3 billion in August 2026, while net debt was equivalent to 93.8% of GDP.

17 Sept 2026 · United Kingdom

The Bank of England kept Bank Rate at 3.75%, setting the latest stance of UK monetary policy.