Revised data released by the University of Michigan on Friday showed consumer sentiment in the U.S. deteriorated by less than previously estimated in April but still hit a record low. The University of Michigan said its consumer sentiment index for April was upwardly revised to 49.8 from the preliminary reading of 47.6. Economists had expected the index to be unrevised.
French consumer sentiment weakened to a three-year low in April, a monthly survey from the statistical office INSEE showed Friday. The consumer confidence index dropped to 84 in April from 89 in the previous month. This was the lowest score since April 2023.
Slovenia's economic sentiment turned more negative in April to the lowest level in over two-and-a-half years. The seasonally adjusted economic sentiment dropped to -5.3 in April from -2.5 in the previous month. Among components, the morale for the retail sector eased notably to 1.0 from 14.0. The index for the manufacturing sector worsened to a 10-month low of -9 from -8.
Confidence among Brazilian consumers improved further in April to the highest level in four months. The seasonally adjusted FGV IBRE consumer confidence index rose to 89.1 in April from 88.1 in March. However, any score below 100 indicates a pessimistic outlook. The rise in confidence was mainly attributed to the current conditions index, rising to 85.3 from 83.2 in March.
Russia's central bank reduced its benchmark rate for the eighth consecutive time to contain rising inflation. The Board of Directors of the Bank of Russia decided to cut its interest rate by 50 basis points to 14.50 percent. The bank said it will assess the need for further key rate cuts at its upcoming meetings depending on sustainability of inflation slowdown.
Spain's producer prices increased for the first time in five months in March amid higher energy costs. Producer prices climbed 3.4 percent year-on-year in March, reversing February's 6.9 percent decline, which was the biggest fall since March 2024. The annual increase was driven by a 7.9 percent renewed surge in energy prices versus a 22.1 percent plunge in February.
The Czech economic confidence eased in April from a 5-month high in the previous month. The economic sentiment index dropped to 101.3 in April from 102.1 in March, which was the highest score since October last year, when it was 104.0. construction confidence strengthened to 115.5 from 113.8, while the morale for the selected services improved from 100.3 to 102.9.
UK retail sales grew unexpectedly in March largely due to a rise in fuel sales as motorists stocked up on fuel amid the war in the Middle East, the Office for National Statistics reported Friday. Retail sales increased 0.7 percent on a monthly basis in March, reversing a 0.6 percent fall in February. The increase also exceeded economists' expectations of flat growth.
The unemployment rate in Poland held steady in March after rising to the highest level in nearly four-and-a-half years in February. The unemployment rate came in at 6.1 percent in March, the same as in the previous month, which was the highest rate since September 2021. There were 949,800 unemployed people in March compared to 954,900 in the previous month.
Hungary's unemployment rate decreased during the January-March period. The unemployment rate stood at 4.7 percent in January-March, down from 4.9 percent in the December to February period. The number of unemployed people was 226,400 compared to 235,700 in the previous three-month period. Data showed that the employment rate rose to 65.0 percent from 64.8 percent.
German business confidence declined to its lowest level in nearly six years in April, driven by the supply chain disruptions and energy shocks caused by the war in the Middle East, survey data from the ifo Institute revealed Friday. The business climate index dropped to 84.4 in April from 86.3 in March. The reading hit the lowest since May 2020 but remained above economists' forecast of 85.7.
Producer prices in Sweden increased for the first time in five months in March and at the quickest pace in just over a year amid soaring energy costs. The producer price index climbed 2.0 percent year-on-year in March, reversing a 1.7 percent decrease in February. Prices for energy-related products alone grew 15.8 percent from last year.
Finland's producer price inflation moderated in March after accelerating sharply in the previous month. The producer price index climbed 2.6 percent year-on-year in March, slower than the 3.8 percent rise in February, which was the fastest increase in nearly three years. The increase in prices was curbed especially by the decrease in prices of electricity and paper and paper products.
Japan consumer price inflation accelerated in March despite measures taken by government to curb oil prices, data from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications showed Friday. Core inflation, which strips out fresh food prices, increased to 1.8 percent from 1.6 percent in the prior month....
Japan will on Friday release March figures for consumer and producer prices, highlighting a light day for Asia-Pacific economic activity. In February, overall inflation was down 0.2 percent on month and up 1.3 percent on year, while core CPI rose an annual 1.6 percent. Producer prices are expected...
April 17, 2026 15:29 ET The ongoing conflict in the Middle East continues to raise concerns for policymakers who worry about the impact of the supply shock and high energy prices on the real economy. Producer price data and various survey results on the housing market were the main news from the U.S. this week. In Europe, industrial production data for the euro area gained attention. GDP figures out of China and the policy move by the Singapore central bank were in focus in Asia.