Estonia's consumer price inflation moderated slightly in April after rising in the previous month. Consumer prices climbed 3.4 percent yearly in April, slower than the 3.6 percent rise in March. The overall increase in consumer prices was due to the continued rapid rise in diesel fuel and petrol costs caused by the armed conflicts in the Middle East.
Germany's industrial production declined unexpectedly in March as the war in the Middle East started to take its toll on industrial activity, official data revealed Friday. Industrial output dropped 0.7 percent in March, marking the second consecutive monthly decline, Destatis reported.
Finland's industrial production expanded at the fastest pace in more than three-and-a-half years. Industrial output climbed 7.3 percent year-over-year in March, following a 5.3 percent rebound in February. Output produced in the mining and quarrying sector logged a strong growth of 12.8 percent, and manufacturing production recorded an increase of 5.9 percent.
Industrial production and foreign trade from Germany and house prices from the UK are the top economic news due on Friday. At 2.00 am ET, Destatis releases Germany's industrial output and foreign trade figures. Economists forecast industrial output to grow 0.4 percent on a monthly basis in March, in contrast to the 0.3 percent fall in February.
The service sector in Japan continued to expand in April, albeit at a slower pace, the latest survey from S&P Global revealed on Friday with a services PMI score of 51.0. That's down from 53.4 in March, although it remains above the boom-or-bust line of 50 that separates expansion from contraction. Where...
South Korea posted a current account surplus of $37.33 billion in March, the Bank of Korea said on Friday - up from $23.19 billion in February. The goods account saw a $35.07 billion surplus as exports increased by 56.9 percent to $94.32 billion and as imports increased by 17.4 percent to $59.24 billion,...
Taiwan will on Friday release April figures for imports, exports and trade balance, highlighting a light day for Asia-Pacific economic activity. In March, imports were up 38.3 percent on year and exports jumped an annual 61.8 percent for a trade surplus of $21.27 billion. Malaysia will provide March...
With an increase in spending on private construction more than offsetting a dip in spending on public construction, the Commerce Department released a report on Thursday showing U.S. construction spending rose by more than expected in the month of March.
Cyprus' consumer price inflation accelerated in April to the highest level in nearly two years. The consumer price index climbed 2.8 percent year-on-year in April, faster than the 1.2 percent increase in March. Housing and utility costs rebounded 2.7 percent annually after falling 1.9 percent a month ago. On a monthly basis, consumer prices increased 1.7 percent.
Labor productivity in the U.S. increased by much less than expected in the first quarter of 2026, according to preliminary data released by the Labor Department on Thursday. The report said labor productivity climbed by 0.8 percent in the first quarter after jumping by a downwardly revised 1.6 percent in the fourth quarter of 2025.
A report released by the Labor Department on Thursday showed first-time claims for U.S. unemployment benefits rebounded by less than expected in the week ended May 2nd. The Labor Department said initial jobless claims rose to 200,000, an increase of 10,000 from the previous week's revised level of 190,000. Economists had expected jobless claims to climb to 205,000.
Malaysia's central bank left its interest rate unchanged for the fifth straight meeting, on Thursday. The Monetary Policy Committee of Bank Negara Malaysia maintained its Overnight Policy Rate at 2.75 percent. The previous change in the policy was a quarter-point reduction in July, which was the...
Slovakia's foreign trade surplus increased in March from a year ago as exports rose amid a fall in imports. The trade balance showed a surplus of EUR 591.5 million in March, up from EUR 386.5 million in the corresponding month last year. Exports increased 0.5 percent, while imports continued to fall by 1.6 percent.
Labor productivity in the U.S. increased by much less than expected in the first quarter of 2026, according to preliminary data released by the Labor Department on Thursday. The report said labor productivity climbed by 0.8 percent in the first quarter after jumping by a downwardly revised 1.6 percent...
The UK construction sector logged a faster contraction in April amid rapid acceleration in cost inflation. The construction Purchasing Managers' Index declined to 39.7 in April from 45.6 in March. New business fell at the fastest pace since November 2025 due to subdued demand conditions and a subsequent lack of new work to replace completed projects.
May 01, 2026 15:54 ET Central banks dominated the economics news flow this week with almost all major ones announcing their latest policy decisions and many boosted expectations for a rate hike in June. In other news, several countries released the preliminary data for first quarter economic growth. In the U.S., comments by Fed Chair Jerome Powell were also in focus as his term ends this month.