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US Fed cuts rate by 25 bps; economic outlook uncertainty high: FOMC

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US Fed cuts rate by 25 bps; economic outlook uncertainty high: FOMC



The US Federal Reserve’s (Fed) Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) yesterday cut the key benchmark rate by 25 basis points to the 3.75- 4-per cent range.

This is the second rate cut in a row, aimed at safeguarding against rising uncertainties in the job market amid evident disagreements within the committee.

The US Fed’s Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) has cut the key benchmark rate by 25 basis points to the 3.75- 4-per cent range—the second rate cut in a row, aimed at safeguarding against rising uncertainties in the job market.
“Uncertainty about the economic outlook remains elevated,” FOMC said.
Indicators suggest economic activity has been moderately expanding, Fed chairman Jerome Powell noted.

“Uncertainty about the economic outlook remains elevated,” the FOMC statement said.

“Available indicators suggest that economic activity has been expanding at a moderate pace. Job gains have slowed this year, and the unemployment rate has edged up but remained low through August; more recent indicators are consistent with these developments. Inflation has moved up since earlier in the year and remains somewhat elevated,” it observed.

“In considering additional adjustments to the target range for the federal funds rate, the Committee will carefully assess incoming data, the evolving outlook, and the balance of risks. The Committee decided to conclude the reduction of its aggregate securities holdings on December 1,” it said.

“The Committee is strongly committed to supporting maximum employment and returning inflation to its 2-per cent objective,” the statement added.

Committee members voted 10-2 to reduce the central bank’s primary lending rate. Fed governor Stephen Miran dissented, advocating for a larger 0.5-percentage point reduction, whilst Kansas City Fed president Jeff Schmid “preferred no change to the target range for the federal funds rate at this meeting,” according to the Fed statement.

Fed chairman Jerome Powell said though some key federal government data have been delayed due to the government shutdown, available public and private sector data suggest the outlook for employment and inflation has not changed much since the Fed meeting in September.

Available indicators suggest economic activity has been expanding at a moderate pace. GDP rose at 1.6 per cent in the first half this year, down from 2.4 per cent last year. Tariffs are pushing up prices in some categories of goods resulting in higher overall inflation. A further reduction in the policy rate at the December meeting is not a foregone conclusion, Powell added.

While the Fed has indicated potential additional rate reductions in December, the current lack of economic data creates additional uncertainty regarding their forthcoming decisions.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)



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PET prices decline after April peak amid weak polyester operating rate

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PET prices decline after April peak amid weak polyester operating rate



The Indian PET resin market witnessed significant week-on-week fluctuations during March-May ****. During the first week of March, Asia domestic India PET bottle flakes prices were assessed near $*.** per kg and remained largely stable on a weekly basis. However, during the second week of March, prices sharply increased to around $*.** per kg, reflecting a week-on-week rise of nearly ** per cent amid tight domestic supply conditions and reduced producer operating rates. In the third and fourth weeks of March, prices increased further to nearly $*.** per kg, marking an additional weekly gain of around * per cent. The bullish momentum continued into the first week of April, when prices touched nearly $*.** per kg, reflecting another week-on-week increase of approximately * per cent.

From mid-April onward, the market entered a correction phase as downstream polyester demand remained weak, and buyers shifted towards cautious procurement activity. During the second and third weeks of April, prices eased gradually towards $*.** per kg, indicating a weekly decline of around ** per cent. The softer trend continued through late April and early May, with prices declining towards $*.** per kg and later $*.** per kg due to subdued polyester operating rates and sufficient domestic availability. By May **, ****, Asia domestic India PET bottle flakes prices were assessed around $*.*** per kg, reflecting an overall decline of nearly * per cent from the April peak, while Asia FOB India PET Bottle Flakes prices were reported near $*.*** per kg during the same period.



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Georgia’s apparel imports expand as post-war spending strengthens

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Georgia’s apparel imports expand as post-war spending strengthens



The country imported apparel worth $**.*** million during January-March ****, up **.* per cent from $**.*** million in the corresponding period of ****. The latest figures indicate that inbound apparel shipments have remained on a steady growth path since ****, according to *fashion.com/market-intelligence/texpro-textile-and-apparel/” target=”_blank”>sourcing intelligence tool TexPro.

The Russia-Ukraine war has had a significant economic impact on Georgia. The conflict triggered a large influx of Russian and Ukrainian migrants, which initially acted as an economic boon for the country. It fuelled rapid growth, lifted consumer spending, and increased demand for housing, services, textiles, and apparel. However, the war also deepened geopolitical polarisation and accelerated Georgia’s economic and energy reliance on Moscow.



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US Upland cotton sales rebound after steep decline: USDA

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US Upland cotton sales rebound after steep decline: USDA



US cotton export sales rebounded strongly in the week ended May 14, 2026, with Upland cotton sales rising noticeably from the previous week’s marketing-year low, according to the US Department of Agriculture weekly export sales report.

Net sales of Upland cotton for the 2025–26 marketing year totalled 131,800 RB (running bales, each weighing 226.8 kg), up sharply from 47,700 RB in the previous week and 16 per cent higher than the prior four-week average. The recovery followed a steep decline in the week ending May 7 when sales had fallen 61 per cent week-on-week and 66 per cent below the four-week average.

US Upland cotton export sales rebounded to 131,800 RB in the week ending May 14, 2026, after the previous week’s sharp fall.
Pakistan led buying, followed by Vietnam and Turkiye, while new-crop sales surged to 216,000 RB.
Shipments stayed below the recent average.
Pima sales improved slightly but remained weak, with India the top buyer and destination.

Pakistan emerged as the largest buyer during the latest reporting week with purchases of 65,300 RB, including reductions of 200 RB. Vietnam followed with 26,100 RB, including 4,500 RB switched from China, 900 RB switched from South Korea, 100 RB switched from Japan, and reductions of 4,400 RB. Turkiye booked 20,100 RB, including reductions of 100 RB, while Malaysia purchased 5,300 RB and China 3,400 RB. These gains were partly offset by reductions of 1,100 RB for Peru and 900 RB for South Korea.

New crop Upland sales for the 2026–27 marketing year rose sharply to 216,000 RB, compared with 29,700 RB in the previous week. Pakistan accounted for the bulk of new crop sales with 206,100 RB, followed by Indonesia and Turkiye at 4,500 RB each, and Mexico at 900 RB.

Upland export shipments remained broadly steady during the week. Exports totalled 289,400 RB, unchanged from the previous week but 11 per cent below the prior four-week average. Vietnam remained the leading destination with 110,800 RB, followed by Turkiye at 28,700 RB, Pakistan at 26,000 RB, Mexico at 22,100 RB, and Bangladesh at 21,200 RB.

Pima cotton sales showed a marginal weekly improvement but remained well below recent average levels. Net sales for the 2025–26 marketing year totalled 9,500 RB, up 2 per cent from the previous week but 52 per cent below the prior four-week average. India remained the largest buyer with 7,600 RB, followed by Pakistan at 1,100 RB, Peru at 500 RB, Thailand at 200 RB, and Vietnam at 100 RB.

New crop Pima sales for the 2026–27 marketing year stood at 7,700 RB, slightly below 7,900 RB in the previous week. Sales were reported for Peru at 4,000 RB and India at 3,700 RB.

Pima export shipments declined further during the week. Exports totalled 9,900 RB, down 18 per cent from the previous week and 19 per cent below the prior four-week average. India was the top destination with 4,600 RB, followed by China at 3,200 RB, Costa Rica at 1,700 RB, Pakistan at 300 RB, and Mexico at 100 RB.

Overall, the latest USDA data indicate a recovery in US Upland cotton export sales after the previous week’s sharp fall, supported mainly by strong buying from Pakistan, Vietnam, and Turkiye. However, export shipments remained below the recent average, while Pima demand continued to show weakness despite India’s sustained buying interest.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KUL)



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