Barclays lifts euro area 2025 inflation forecast to 2.1% on food, energy costs Investing.com -- Barclays has raised its forecast for euro area inflation in 2025, now expecting headline consumer prices to average 2.1% compared with the 2% projection it published in July, in a note dated Thursday. The revision reflects firmer outcomes for food and energy costs in recent data, while the bank kept its core inflation estimate unchanged at 2.3% for the year. The latest figures from Eurostat showed euro area HICP inflation at 2% year over year in July, with core inflation steady at 2.3%. Barclays noted that the modest acceleration in headline inflation was driven by higher food, alcohol and tobacco prices, along with a slower decline in energy costs. Core inflation remained stable as softer services prices were offset by an increase in core goods inflation, which the bank attributed largely to seasonal factors such as weaker summer sales for clothing and footwear. In its updated outlook, Barclays said it expects energy to stay in deflation territory through much of the forecast horizon, despite temporary increases in July from fuel and electricity prices. Food and tobacco inflation, however, are projected to remain above 3% for some time, supported by upstream food price trends and survey-based indicators of selling price expectations. Services inflation is seen as broadly stable before easing slightly in 2026. For 2026, Barclays left its headline inflation forecast unchanged at 1.7% and core inflation at 1.8%. The bank’s projections remain lower than market pricing for most of 2025 but above expectations by the end of the year. It now anticipates euro area HICP inflation excluding tobacco to stand at 1.99% in August 2025, 1.87% in December 2025 and 1.72% in December 2026. With valuations skyrocketing in 2024, many investors are uneasy putting more money into stocks. Unsure where to invest next? Get access to our proven portfolios and discover high-potential opportunities. In 2024 alone, ProPicks AI identified 2 stocks that surged over 150%, 4 additional stocks that leaped over 30%, and 3 more that climbed over 25%. That's an impressive track record. With portfolios tailored for Dow stocks, S&P stocks, Tech stocks, and Mid Cap stocks, you can explore various wealth-building strategies.

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Romania’s central bank raises inflation forecast for 2025 Investing.com -- Romania’s central bank has raised its annual inflation forecast for 2025, citing tax increases and higher electricity prices as key drivers, Governor Mugur Isarescu announced on Tuesday. The bank now expects inflation to reach 8.8% in December, a significant increase from its previous forecast of 4.6%. According to Isarescu, inflation is projected to peak at 9.6%-9.7% in September. Despite the upward revision for this year, the central bank anticipates inflation will return to within its target range in 2026, with a forecast of 3.0% by the end of that year. This represents a slight improvement from the previous projection of 3.4% for end-2026. This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.

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BOJ keeps rates steady, revises up inflation forecast TOKYO (Reuters) -The Bank of Japan kept interest rates steady on Thursday and raised its inflation forecast for the current fiscal year, signalling cautious optimism that Japan’s trade deal with the U.S. would help the economy avert a steep downturn. As widely expected, the central bank maintained short-term interest rates at 0.5% by a unanimous vote at the two-day policy meeting that ended on Thursday. BOJ Governor Kazuo Ueda will hold a news conference to explain the decision at 3:30 p.m. (0630 GMT). Don't miss out on the next big opportunity! Stay ahead of the curve with ProPicks AI – 6 model portfolios fueled by AI stock picks with a stellar performance this year... In 2024 alone, ProPicks AI identified 2 stocks that surged over 150%, 4 additional stocks that leaped over 30%, and 3 more that climbed over 25%. That's an impressive track record. With portfolios tailored for Dow stocks, S&P stocks, Tech Stocks, and Mid Cap stocks, you can explore various wealth-building strategies. So if 8301 is on your watchlist, it could be very wise to know whether or not it made the ProPicks AI lists.

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IMF raises Brazil’s economic growth and inflation forecast for 2025 Investing.com -- The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has updated its economic growth projection for Brazil in 2025, predicting a 2.3% increase, as announced on Tuesday. This revision comes after an earlier forecast in April, which estimated a growth of 2%. This update was released following the IMF’s 2025 Article IV visit to Brazil. Alongside the growth forecast, the IMF also revised its inflation prediction for the country. The fund now expects inflation to hit 5.2% this year, a slight decrease from the previously estimated 5.3%. The IMF also provided a longer-term forecast, stating that inflation in Brazil will gradually converge to the target of 3% by the end of 2027. This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.

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