KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) -The Southeast Asian bloc ASEAN on Tuesday announced an ambitious strategic plan that includes harmonising trade standards and greater financial integration in an effort to collectively become the world's fourth-largest economy.  The five-year, 41-page plan for the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations, released during a leaders' summit in Malaysia, calls for increased regional trade, freer movement...

10:41 AM EDT, 05/27/2025 (MT Newswires) -- The Dallas Fed's monthly manufacturing index rose to a reading of minus 15.3 in May from minus 35.8 in April, compared with expectations for a smaller increase to a reading of minus 23.1. The index still indicates contraction, which is in line with all the regional manufacturing sector readings released to this point,...

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. consumer confidence improved in May after deteriorating for five straight months amid a truce in the trade war between Washington and China, though households continued to worry about tariffs raising prices and hurting the economy. The Conference Board said on Tuesday its consumer confidence index increased 12.3 points to 98.0 this month. Economists polled by Reuters had...

After five straight months of erosion, U.S. consumer confidence posted a strong rebound in May, fueled by a recovering stock market, hopes tied to easing U.S.-China trade tensions, and signs of moderating inflation—yet many consumers remain cautious and are increasing savings. The Conference Board's Consumer Confidence Index rose sharply by 12.3 points to 98 in May, recovering from April's 13-year...