Category: World
World Growth to Continue at Steady Pace if Oil Price Shock Short-Lived
Global economic growth should be steady this year provided the current oil price shock is not prolonged, Fitch Ratings says in its latest March 2026 Global Economic Outlook (GEO). The world economy has held up well despite a succession of geopolitical and US policy shocks. World growth was 2.7% last year, close to its long-run […]
Iran Conflict Raises New Credit Risks for Emerging Market Sovereigns: Fitch Ratings
The Iran conflict could raise additional challenges for some emerging market sovereigns, through such channels as energy imports, remittances, fiscal subsidies, exchange rates and access to international finance, Fitch Ratings says. Hydrocarbon exporters could see positive effects. Under our baseline, in which the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz lasts less than a month […]
Risks of Middle East Aviation Disruption Rise the Longer It Lasts
The duration of the aviation disruption following the attacks launched by Israel and the US on Iran on 28 February and Iran’s subsequent attacks on countries in the region, will be fundamental to determining the implications for affected sectors, including airlines, airports, lodging, insurance and lessors, Fitch Ratings says. Our baseline expectation that the conflict […]
US ETR Falls to 9.4% as Blanket 10% Tariff Replaces IEEPA Levies: Fitch Ratings
The 10% blanket reciprocal tariff imposed by the U.S. on most trading partners lowers the U.S. effective tariff rate (ETR) to 9.4% from 12.7%, Fitch Ratings says. If the Trump administration imposes a 15% levy, the U.S. ETR would rise to 11.3%. President Trump acted swiftly to reinstate tariffs following the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling […]
World GDP Forecasts Raised, but Evidence of US Slowdown Accumulates: Fitch Ratings
Fitch Ratings has raised its world growth forecasts for 2025 moderately since the June Global Economic Outlook (GEO) on better-than-expected incoming data for 2Q25. But there is now evidence of an underlying US slowdown in ‘hard’ economic data and positive surprises on eurozone growth have partly reflected US tariff front-running. Fitch still expects world GDP […]
Fitch Ratings: Developed Economies’ Potential Growth Revised Up to 1.6-pct
Fitch Ratings has updated its five-year projections for supply-side potential GDP growth for the 10 developed economies (‘DM10’) covered in its Global Economic Outlook. The GDP-weighted average DM10 potential growth projection has been raised to 1.6% a year from 1.4% in the previous report in August 2023. This reflects more optimistic projections for the US, revised […]
Sri Lanka expresses deep concern over the decision of Israel
Sri Lanka expresses deep concern over the decision by Israel to seize control of Gaza, which will lead to further escalation of violence and suffering of the people of Gaza. Sri Lanka calls for an immediate ceasefire and urges all parties to resolve differences through diplomatic dialogue in order to establish sustainable peace. Ministry of […]
US Effective Tariff Rate from all trading partners settles at 17-pct with July 31 duties: Fitch Ratings
Fitch Ratings has updated the U.S. Effective Tariff Rate (ETR) Monitor, its interactive tariff tool, reflecting the July 27 and July 31 announcements that set new reciprocal tariff rates for most trading partners. The U.S. effective tariff rate is now 17% — about 8 percentage points lower than our April 3, 2025, estimate when higher […]
US Dollar Shows Signs of Stabilisation on Easing Policy Uncertainty: Fitch Ratings
The US dollar has shown early signs of stabilisation against other currencies in the past few weeks, as US policy uncertainty has eased from record highs, Fitch Ratings says in its latest FX Market Monitor. The DXY Dollar Index (a weighted-average of six bilateral exchange rates with developed market countries with reserve currencies) remains about […]
‘s New Stablecoin Law Mandates Full Reserve Backing, Monthly Disclosures
President Donald Trump has signed the GENIUS Act into law, making it the first U.S. federal legislation to regulate stablecoins. The law requires full reserve backing, monthly reserve disclosures, and strict rules to prevent misleading marketing. The move triggered a rally in digital assets, with Bitcoin surpassing $123,000 during the debate in the House, and […]
VIDEO: Why China Is Building Ships in the Desert
In the middle of the Chinese desert, miles from any ocean, lie massive naval ships. In this video, we explore why China built them in the sand and what they’re used for.
India to Facilitate Flights for Sri Lankans Leaving Iran
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism informs all Sri Lankans in the Islamic Republic of Iran that the Government of Sri Lanka has made arrangements with the Government of India to assist Sri Lankans who wish to leave Iran by accommodating them in their flights. Accordingly, any Sri Lankans who wish to […]