Managers in Germany are expected to express more optimism about the overall business environment as Washington and Tehran continue to discuss an end to the war in the Middle East.

An economists’ poll said the headline business climate index for Germany due Wednesday from the country’s Ifo economics institute was forecast to climb to 85.6 points from May’s reading of 84.9, a slight improvement on April’s result, which was the lowest in nearly six years.

The expectations measure of the index for the coming six months is projected to rise to 85.0 points from 83.8, and June’s current assessment reading is set to tick higher to 86.4 from 86.1 in the previous month. (LS – Continue Reading)

Bank of Japan policymakers debated mounting inflation risks, with some calling for faster interest rate increases to raise borrowing costs nearer levels deemed neutral to the economy, a summary of the lastest policy review showed on Wednesday.

At the June 15 to 16 meeting, the BoJ raised rates to a 31-year high of 1% in a landmark step in its policy normalisation, signalling readiness to tighten further as it focuses on taming price pressures from the Iran-war-induced energy shock.

Most of the opinions warned of mounting price pressures as firms actively passed on rising costs from the weak yen and the Middle East conflict, the summary showed. (RTRS – Continue Reading)

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent signaled confidence in newly installed Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh during remarks Tuesday, and predicted that inflation will retreat as the Iran conflict subsides.

“I am confident that the Fed chair will optimize the path for both inflation and economic growth,” Bessent said in answering questions after a speech at the Economic Club of New York. (BBG – Continue Reading)

With rare bipartisan support, the House passed a housing bill Tuesday evening that aims to address the shortage of affordable homes in the US.

The bill, the Road to Housing Act, shows that the housing crisis is something both parties actually agree needs to be addressed, even as it is unlikely to bring much short-term relief for homebuyers.

The bill, which passed in a 358-32 vote, mainly aims to relax local regulations and encourage building. It now heads to President Trump, who is expected to sign it. (Axios – Continue Reading)