The World Trade Organization (WTO) has dramatically revised its forecast for global merchandise trade in 2025, predicting a 0.2% decline instead of the 3.0% expansion projected last October. The downgrade reflects renewed U.S. tariffs, spillover effects from the U.S.–China trade war, and heightened policy uncertainty. With developing economies bearing the brunt of any downturn, the […]

Fitch Ratings has delivered a significant boost to Pakistan’s economic outlook by upgrading the country’s long-term foreign-currency issuer default rating from ‘CCC+’ to ‘B-’. This decision comes on the back of enhanced fiscal consolidation, a stabilising external position, and more robust macroeconomic policy management. The outlook remains stable, reflecting growing investor confidence in Pakistan’s commitment […]

A new chapter in the volatile saga of global financial markets has opened. In its latest analysis, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) warned that major geopolitical risk events—including rising trade tensions, military conflicts, and sweeping tariff measures—can trigger severe corrections in stock prices. The findings, detailed in a chapter of the forthcoming Global Financial Stability […]

Amid mounting economic uncertainty and the lingering spectre of U.S. tariff threats, UK companies are increasingly shifting their focus to cashflow improvement, cost-cutting, and reduced borrowing, according to Deloitte’s latest quarterly survey of chief financial officers (CFOs) at major British firms. In a climate of cautious optimism about long-term prospects tempered by short-term defensive maneuvers, […]