Global Economic Trends and Market Analysis 2025

The Economist's finance and economics section features various articles discussing market trends, labor market analysis, and global economic issues. Key topics include the biggest market developments of 2025, interpreting pain at the edge of America's labor market, and the impact of crypto on banks. Other articles cover American investors in Congo, concentrated market returns, and short-selling strategies. The section also touches on Germany's bureaucratic issues, China's economy, and the potential for bank mergers.

The article discusses the current state of America's labour market, with some economists warning of a potential downturn and others disagreeing. The debate centres on whether the current weakness at the edge of the labour market is a sign of wider economic weakness or an isolated issue. The article examines the arguments on both sides and the implications for the Federal Reserve's monetary policy.

The article discusses how President Donald Trump's tariffs disrupted the global supply chain of toys in 2025, affecting toymakers and their ability to stock shelves in America by autumn. The Economist spent a year talking to toymakers to understand how they coped with the tariffs, which were imposed throughout the year. The article highlights the complexity and delicacy of the toy supply chain, likening it to building a Death Star out of Lego.