The Reserve Bank of Australia will on Tuesday release the minutes from its August 11 monetary policy meeting, highlighting a busy day for Asia-Pacific economic activity. At the meeting, the RBA kept its benchmark lending rate steady at 4.35 percent following 25 basis point hikes in February, March...
Taiwan's hseasonally adjusted unemployment rate came in at 3.33 percent in July, the same as in the previous month. On an unadjusted basis, the jobless rate rose to a 1-year high of 3.39 percent in July from 3.34 percent in the previous month. Unemployment increased by 9,000 from the previous month to 409,000.
Poland's retail sales growth moderated more than expected in July. At constant prices, retail sales advanced 3.9 percent annually in July, much slower than the 6.2 percent rise in June, which was the fastest growth in three months. The slower growth in July was mainly due to a 1.7 percent fall in sales of textiles, clothing, and footwear, followed by
The Czech economy's confidence remained slightly less positive in August, and consumers also showed a less optimistic attitude. The economic sentiment index dropped to 100.5 in August from 101.1 in July. Nonetheless, a score above 100 indicates an optimistic outlook. The consumer confidence index declined to a 13-month low of 102.3 from 105.6 in July.
Finland's producer price inflation accelerated somewhat in July after easing in the previous month. The producer price index climbed 6.9 percent year-on-year in July, faster than the 6.7 percent rise in June. Prices have been rising since January. The rise in the producer prices was particularly caused by higher prices of refined petroleum products and basic metals.
Singapore's consumer price inflation increased for the second straight month in July to the highest level in nearly two years. The consumer price index, or CPI, climbed 2.2 percent year-over-year in July, faster than the 1.9 percent rise in June. MAS core inflation also accelerated to 2.0 percent in July from 1.6 percent in June, led by higher costs for utilities and food.
The volume of retail sales in New Zealand was down a seasonally adjusted 0.5 percent on quarter in the second quarter of 2026, Statistics New Zealand reported on Monday - coming in at NZ$26 billion. That missed forecasts for an increase of 0.1 percent and was down from 0.9 percent in the previous...
New Zealand will on Monday release Q2 figures for retail sales, highlighting a light day for Asia-Pacific economic activity. Retail sales are expected to slip 0.5 percent on quarter after rising 0.9 percent in the previous three months. Core retail sales are tipped to sink 0.6 percent on quarter after...
Slovenia's producer price inflation accelerated further in July to the highest level in three years. Industrial producer prices climbed 3.4 percent year-on-year in July, faster than the 2.4 percent increase in June. Prices have been rising since August 2025. Mining and quarrying prices surged 7.4 percent from last year, and those in the manufacturing sector rose by 2.0 percent.
The UK service sector grew at the fastest pace in six months in August, offsetting a slowdown in manufacturing output, flash purchasing managers' survey data from S&P Global showed Friday. The flash services Purchasing Managers' Index advanced unexpectedly to 52.8 from 52.1 in the previous month.
The euro area private sector expanded the most in nine months in August driven by strong growth in manufacturing, flash survey data from S&P Global revealed Friday. The composite output index climbed unexpectedly to 52.1 in August from 52.0 in July. The reading was seen at 51.7. Manufacturing production increased at the fastest pace in four-and-a-half years.
Ireland's wholesale price inflation accelerated in July to the highest level in nearly four years. Output prices in the manufacturing industry climbed 7.3 percent year-over-year in July, faster than the 3.5 percent increase in June. Factory gate prices for chemicals and chemical products grew 16.5 percent from last year, and those for food products rose by 2.7 percent.
Germany's private sector expanded in August as continued upturn in manufacturing production offset subdued performance across the services economy, flash survey results from S&P Global showed Friday. At 51.0, the composite output index was down from 51.3 in July. The score was expected to remain stable at 51.3.
Households in Turkey remained less pessimistic in August, and the confidence rose further to the highest level in more than three years. The consumer confidence index rose to 90.8 in August from 89.8 in July. Moreover, this was the highest reading since May 2023, when it was 91.1. The financial situation expectation of households over the next year improved.
France's private sector contracted further in August due to the downturn in services activity, survey data from S&P Global showed Friday. The headline composite output index fell to 48.8 in August from 49.4 in July. A score below 50.0 indicates contraction and it was also below forecast of 49.5. The downturn in overall activity was entirely driven by services companies.
August 21, 2026 14:42 ET The minutes of the latest policy meeting of the Federal Reserve, housing market data and manufacturing sector survey results were the main news for the U.S. economy this week. In Europe, inflation data from the U.K. was the highlight, while consumer price data from Japan drew attention in Asia.