Economic & Analysis News

SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Milliman, Inc., a premier global consulting and actuarial firm, today released the latest results of its monthly Public Pension Funding Index (PPFI), which analyzes data from the nation’s 100 largest public defined benefit plans. During July, the Milliman PPFI plans saw an estimated aggregate return of -0.1%—the same performance observed during June—which reduced their funded status from 88.7% as of June 30 to 88.2% as of July 31. The plans lost $38 billion in funded s...

SCHAUMBURG, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In Q2 2026, hybrids had the lowest average monthly payment for new loans across all fuel types at $646....

OLDWICK, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Capacity for the insurance-linked securities (ILS) market continues to reach new highs, fueled along by record-breaking catastrophe bond issuances, according to a new AM Best report.The Best’s Market Segment Report, “Record-breaking Catastrophe Bond Issuance in First Half of 2026; ILS Capacity Experiences Rate Softening at Renewals,” is part of AM Best’s look at the global reinsurance industry ahead of the Rendez-Vous de Septembre in Monte Carlo. Other reports, in...

ARLINGTON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Growth in data center development is fueling an increasing share of U.S. industrial demand, according to a new report from CoStar, the leading global provider of online real estate marketplaces, information and analytics in the property markets.Nationally, data center inventory has reached roughly 69 gigawatts of existing capacity, while another 43 gigawatts are currently under construction.The increase in development activity has impacted industrial demand, with...

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--New research from Fidelity Investments and the Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority (MEFA) reveals more parents in Massachusetts than ever before are planning to cover the full cost of their children’s college education. The firm’s biennial College Savings Indicator study found 42% of parents plan to cover the full cost of their children’s college education, up from 31% in 2024. Even among parents who only plan to cover a portion of the cost, the amount they pl...

OLDWICK, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--A new AM Best report notes an increased level of reinsurance leverage by U.S. life/annuity (L/A) companies ceding out business, which is being fueled by strong annuity product growth, higher interest rates, and further offshore transactions as a result of differing capital regimes.The Best’s Market Segment Report, “Global Life/Annuity Reinsurers Remained Poised for Steady Growth,” is part of AM Best’s look at the global reinsurance industry ahead of the Rendez-Vou...

SINGAPORE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Business optimism among Singapore CFOs fell 34 percentage points year over year, from 93% in late 2025 to 59% in 2026, the largest decline across the nine markets surveyed by Kyriba. At the same time, only 16% of Singapore respondents say their organisations can quantify financial risk exposure in real time or near real time. The findings reveal a widening gap between awareness of risk and the ability to assess its financial impact quickly enough to respond. The find...

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--KBRA releases research examining how participation interest structures differ from traditional ABS structures, in which the special-purpose vehicle (SPV) holds direct legal title, as well as the incremental risks that can emerge under stress and the legal and structural protections that can mitigate those risks. In ABS sectors with high asset counts, such as small business financings and consumer loans, transferring legal title to the underlying assets can be costly,...

LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--KBRA releases the latest quarterly report highlighting our European Macro Strategist Gordon Kerr’s view on key economic indicators, as well as what he identifies as the most influential factors driving credit markets in the upcoming quarter. The report also examines credit market valuations in the context of current and future market conditions. KBRA expects the key factors driving credit market conditions in Q3 to include emerging shoots of growth despite geopolitical...

HONG KONG--(BUSINESS WIRE)--As Asia’s insurance markets become more competitive with softer market conditions, AM Best’s composite of Asia-Pacific reinsurance companies reversed a revenue decline from the previous year, posting a 4.0% increase in net insurance service revenue in 2025, driven primarily by overseas business.The Best’s Market Segment Report, “Asia in Focus: Resilience Through Transformation,” is part of AM Best’s overall look at the global reinsurance industry ahead of the Rendez-V...