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...
The Treasury Department on Thursday announced the details of this month's auctions of two-year, five-year and seven-year notes. The Treasury revealed plans to sell $69 billion worth of two-year notes, $70 billion worth of five-year notes and $44 billion worth of seven-year notes. The results of...
Slovenian consumers remained more pessimistic in April. The consumer sentiment index dropped markedly to -32 in April from -22 in February. Moreover, a similar reading was last seen in November 2024. Unemployment fears among households increased, and they also expect a rising trend for consumer prices over the next twelve months.
First-time claims for U.S. unemployment benefits rose by slightly more than expected in the week ended April 18th, according to a report released by the Labor Department on Thursday. The report said initial jobless claims climbed to 214,000, an increase of 6,000 from the previous week's revised level of 208,000.
Taiwan's industrial production growth rebounded strongly at the end of the first quarter, while retail sales increased for the second straight month. Industrial production surged 28.68 percent year-on-year in March, much faster than the 16.63 percent growth in February. Retail sales climbed 3.2 percent yearly in March, though slower than the 7.7 percent rebound in February.
The UK private sector economy gained momentum in April after posting the weakest growth in six months in March, supported by moderate upturns in both manufacturing production and service sector output, survey data from S&P Global showed Thursday. The composite output index posted 52.0 in April, up from 50.3 in March. A score above 50.0 indicates expansion.
Hong Kong's consumer price inflation held steady in March after rising to a 9-month high in the prior month. The consumer price index, or CPI, climbed 1.7 percent year-over-year in March, the same as in February. Food inflation remained steady at 0.9 percent, while utility costs grew at a faster pace of 3.9 percent versus a 3.5 percent increase in February.
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.