
AI-generated summary
The WTO regularly reviews global trade forecasts based on current economic indicators.
The World Trade Organization (WTO) has sharply and more than doubled its forecast for global merchandise trade growth in 2026. This was reported by The Globe and Mail.
The WTO expects the figure to reach 3.9 percent as booming investment in artificial intelligence offsets losses from the war in the Middle East. The revised forecast is a significant improvement on initial estimates made this spring, which called for merchandise trade growth of 1.9 percent.
Additionally, the WTO said it expects global GDP to grow 2.6 percent this year and 2.9 percent in 2027.

Alfa Investments analysts predict annual inflation in Russia at 7.0–7.5% due to rising costs, weakening of the ruble and indexation of housing and communal services tariffs. Economic growth for the year is expected to be 0.5%.

Deputy Chairman of the Board of Sberbank Taras Skvortsov said that lowering the key rate will help reduce the debt burden on businesses and the budget, without causing a sharp increase in lending due to restrictions on bank capital.

US authorities have suspended Microsoft's participation in the green card program for foreign specialists. Vice President J.D. Vance said the company abused the system by replacing 6,000 laid-off American employees with foreign workers.

Russia's international reserves fell by $9.5 billion to $733.2 billion as of October 2, 2026, primarily due to negative revaluation, according to the Bank of Russia.

Since the beginning of 2026, Russian investors have invested 1.8 trillion rubles in securities, which significantly exceeds the influx of funds into bank deposits. The head of the Moscow Exchange, Viktor Zhidkov, connects this with expectations of market growth and a reduction in geopolitical risks.

The head of Sberbank, German Gref, said that by the end of 2026 the company will pay high dividends to shareholders. He also noted the potential for growth in the value of the bank's shares, calling them the best investment option at the moment.