Goods trade growth set to moderate as barometer index dips
you are currently viewing:Goods trade growth set to moderate as barometer index dipsNovember 28, 2025-Goods trade growth appears to have slowed in the second half of 2025 following a surge in the first half driven by frontloading of imports ahead of expected tariff hikes and by rising demand for AI-related products, according to the latest WTO Goods Trade Barometer. The overall barometer index fell to 101.8 for the month of September, down from 102.2 in June and below the quarterly trade volume index representing actual merchandise trade developments through Q2. The barometer, which typically predicts trade developments two to three months ahead, also remains above its baseline value of 100, which suggests that trade volume is likely to grow more slowly in the fourth quarter but remain above trend. The Goods Trade Barometer is a composite leading indicator for world trade, providing real-time information on the trajectory of merchandise trade relative to recent trends. Barometer values greater than 100 are associated with above-trend trade volumes while barometer values less than 100 suggest that goods trade has either fallen below trend or will do so soon.view filing Source: World Trade Organization (WTO) |
December 15, 2025-Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth showed a mixed picture across the 16 G20* countries for which data was available1 in the third quarter of 2025. Growth picked up in seven countries compared with Q2 2025, fell in another seven countries, and two countries recorded a contraction.
December 15, 2025-Global value chains (GVCs) have been resilient in the face of rising geopolitical tensions,financial uncertainty,climate pressures and the COVID-19 pandemic according to the GVC Development Report 2025 launched at the WTO on 15 December.
December 5, 2025-Bybit, the world's second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume has released its latest Crypto Derivatives Analytics Report in collaboration with Block Scholes, revealing cautiously optimistic signals in cryptocurrency markets following a volatile start to December.
December 3, 2025-Interest rates are a key monetary policy tool used by central banks around the world to encourage changes in economic activity.
But as the global population continues to skew older, traditional monetary policy tools such as rate-setting may become less effective.
Central banks need to find ways to keep interest rates relevant, but also develop alternative tools to navigate an uncertain global economy.
December 3, 2025-Despite challenges, there are ample reasons for broad optimism, including AI-driven cost savings
Despite an outlook that is complicated by contradictions in the U.S. economy and an evolving geopolitical order, Global X Management Company LLC ("Global X"), the New York-based provider of exchange-traded funds (ETFs), believes there are ample reasons for broad optimism on the U.S. economy as well as certain international markets heading into the new year.
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December 2, 2025-The value of global goods imports affected by new tariffs and other import measures increased more than fourfold from mid-October 2024 to mid-October 2025 compared to the prior 12-month period,marking the highest coverage in over 15 years of WTO trade monitoring,according to the WTO Director-General's latest annual overview of developments in the international trading environment.
November 28, 2025-The global economy faces three potential financial bubbles related to cryptocurrencies, artificial intelligence and debt.
All three are interconnected.
Bubbles tend to cause serious short-term pain when they burst-but they can also fundamentally reshape economies with lasting benefits.
It's not exactly reassuring when so many people start scanning the past for a read on what's happening in the present.