Portugal's producer prices logged a renewed increase in April at the fastest pace in just over three years amid a surge in energy costs. The producer price index climbed 3.8 percent, following a flat change in March, ending a 14-month period of decline. Moreover, the latest growth rate was the quickest since March 2023, when prices rose 4.6 percent.
Labour productivity in the United Kingdom increased in the first quarter after falling in the previous quarter. The labor productivity, which is measured by output per hour worked, rose 0.9 percent quarterly in the three months ending March, reversing a 0.5 percent decrease in the fourth quarter of 2025. Based on output per worker, productivity also increased 0.2 percent.
Hong Kong's unemployment rate held steady in the three months ending in April. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate came in at 3.7 percent in February to April, the same as in the January to March period. Without adjustment, the unemployment rate edged higher to 3.7 percent from 3.6 percent. The number of unemployed people was 139,200 compared to 136,600 in the January to March period.
Spain's foreign trade deficit decreased in March from a year ago, as exports grew faster than imports. The trade deficit dropped to EUR 4.4 billion in March from EUR 5.5 billion in the corresponding month last year. In February, there was a shortfall of EUR 3.3 billion. Exports climbed 5.1 percent annually in March, while imports grew at a comparatively slower pace of 1.6 percent.
Malaysia's consumer price inflation rose further in April to the highest level in one-and-half years. The consumer price index posted an annual increase of 1.9 percent after rising 1.7 percent in March. That was in line with expectations. Inflation based on transportation quickened to 4.1 percent from 1.6 percent, and that on information and communication rose to 2.0 percent from 1.4 percent.
The UK unemployment rate increased slightly in the three months to March. The jobless rate stood at 5.0 percent in the January to March period, up from 4.9 percent in the previous three-month period. The rate was expected to remain stable at 4.9 percent. The number of unemployed people totalled 1.806 million compared to 1.780 million in the December to February period.
Japan's industrial output decreased slightly less than initially estimated at the end of the first quarter. Industrial production dropped 0.4 percent monthly in March, slower than the 2.0 percent fall in February. In the flash estimate, the rate of decrease was 0.5 percent. Shipments fell 0.9 percent, and inventories and inventory ratios declined by 1.8 percent and 0.7 percent, respectively.
Japan's gross domestic product expanded a seasonally adjusted 0.5 percent on quarter in the first quarter of 2026, the Cabinet Office said in Tuesday's preliminary reading. That beat expectations for a gain of 0.4 percent and was up from the downwardly revised 0.2 percent increase in the three months...
Japan will on Tuesday release preliminary Q1 figures for gross domestic product, highlighting a busy day for Asia-Pacific economic activity. GDP is expected to add 0.4 percent on quarter and 1.7 percent on year, up from 0.3 percent on quarter and 1.3 percent on year in the three months prior. New...
After reporting a notable deterioration in U.S. homebuilder confidence in the previous month, the National Association of Home Builders released a report on Monday showing an unexpected improvement in homebuilder confidence in the month of May. The report said the NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index climbed to 37 in May after slumping to a seven-month low of 34 in April.
China's industrial production and retail sales logged weaker-than-expected growth in April, and investment shrunk signaling an economic slowdown in the second quarter as the ongoing Middle East conflict strain supply chains and push energy prices higher, official data revealed Monday. Industrial production rose 4.1 percent year-on-year in April, the National Bureau of Statistics reported.
Switzerland's economy grew at a faster pace in the first quarter, flash estimate from the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs, or SECO, showed Monday. Gross domestic product expanded 0.5 percent in the first quarter from the previous quarter. This was faster than the 0.2 percent growth posted...
Italy's foreign trade surplus stayed unchanged at the end of the first quarter. The trade balance showed a surplus of EUR 4.71 billion in March, the same as in the corresponding month last year. The surplus decreased from EUR 4.98 billion in February. Exports climbed 7.4 percent annually in March, and imports were 8.0 percent higher.
Households in Turkey remained slightly less pessimistic in May. The consumer confidence index rose to 85.8 in May from 85.5 in April. Nonetheless, a score below 100 indicates a pessimistic outlook. The financial situation expectation of households over the next year improved, with the corresponding index rising to 87.9 from 87.5.
Thailand's economy grew more than expected in the first quarter, underpinned by resilient domestic demand and strong exports, while regional peers reported weaker growth due to the impact of the war in the Middle East. Gross domestic product logged an annual growth of 2.8 percent in the first quarter, the National Economic and Social Development Council said Monday.
May 15, 2026 15:25 ET Apart from the confirmation of Kevin Warsh as the next Fed chair, the main news on the economics front this week included key price data from the U.S. and the first quarter economic growth figures from major economies. Both consumer prices and producer costs have started to reflect the effect of supply shocks due to the Middle East conflict. In Europe, GDP data was in focus, while inflation data from China dominated the news flow in Asia.