economy News

Americans are expected to wager $3.3 billion on March Madness 2023, reflecting a 50% increase over the past three years. A New York Federal Reserve report indicates that credit delinquency rates rose by 0.3% in states where sports betting is legal, with a more than 10% spike among the 3% of the population who engaged in betting.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has recommended that the Bank of Japan (BOJ) continue increasing interest rates despite new economic risks stemming from the ongoing war in the Middle East. The IMF's suggestion follows market expectations that the BOJ may raise rates as early as April, driven by inflationary pressures from rising oil prices and increased import costs due to a weakened yen.

In March, U.S. employers added 178,000 jobs, significantly exceeding forecasts of 60,000 payroll gains, according to the Department of Labor.

The U.S. job market is projected to have added 60,000 jobs in March 2026, rebounding from a loss of 92,000 jobs in February.

The state pension age in the UK is set to rise to 67 starting from Monday, impacting those born between April 6 and May 5, 1960, who will face a one-month delay in receiving their pensions. The increase is part of a phased approach that will be completed over the next two years, aiming to save the Treasury approximately £10 billion annually by 2030.

Former President Donald Trump's statements and actions are creating volatility in financial markets, with investors reacting to his unpredictable narratives. Market analysts note that Trump's influence remains significant, as seen in fluctuations tied to his comments.

U.S. stock futures fell sharply with June S&P 500 E-Mini futures down 1.27% and June Nasdaq 100 E-Mini futures down 1.65% after President Trump's address on April 1, 2026, where he stated the U.S.

In 2026, the price of silver has experienced significant volatility, starting at $71.59 per ounce on January 1 and reaching a peak of $111.36 by January 27, marking a 56% increase. However, by February 2, it fell back under $80, and as of April 3, it was priced at $73.05 per ounce, just 2% higher than three months prior.

The iShares MSCI Global Silver and Metals Miners ETF (SLVP) and VanEck Gold Miners ETF (GDX) provide different exposures to mining, with SLVP focusing on silver and GDX on gold. As of April 2, 2026, SLVP has a 1-year return of 150.6% and a lower expense ratio of 0.39%, while GDX has a 1-year return of 108.2% and an expense ratio of 0.51%.

A jobs report scheduled for April 7, 2026, is anticipated to reveal that U.S. employers added 59,000 jobs in March, following a loss of 92,000 jobs in February.