Slovakia's industrial production decreased for the second straight month in March. Industrial production fell 0.9 percent year-on-year in March, slower than the 2.9 percent decline in February. The overall industrial performance was most significantly affected by lower manufacture of motor vehicles and a marked decline in manufacture of petroleum products.
Portugal's foreign trade shortfall increased in March from a year ago as imports grew faster than exports. The trade deficit rose to EUR 2.9 billion in March from EUR 2.5 billion in the same month last year. Exports climbed 10.6 percent year-over-year in March, and imports were 11.6 percent higher.
Spain industrial output rebounded in March despite the fall in energy production, the statistical office INE said Friday. Industrial production grew 1.8 percent year-on-year in March, in contrast to the 0.9 percent decline in February. On an unadjusted basis, industrial production registered an...
Lithuania's foreign trade deficit decreased in March from a year ago as exports grew amid a fall in imports. The trade deficit dropped to EUR 548.3 million in March from EUR 737.0 million in the corresponding month last year. In February, the shortfall was EUR 496.3 million. On a yearly basis, exports climbed 2.7 percent in March, while imports dropped by 2.5 percent.
Austria's production index expanded for the first time in three months in March. The production index, which combines both industry and construction, advanced 1.7 percent year-over-year in March, after remaining stagnant in the prior month. Industrial production grew 2.8 percent from last year, while construction output logged a decline of 3.0 percent.
Germany's exports grew unexpectedly in March but the overall increase remained weak and imports registered its fastest growth in nearly three years. Exports grew 0.5 percent, following February's 3.6 percent increase, Destatis reported. Shipments were forecast to fall 1.9 percent. At the same time,...
Turkey's industrial production contracted in April after recovering in the previous month. Industrial output dropped 1.1 percent on a yearly basis in March, reversing a 2.2 percent rise in February. Among sectors, mining and quarrying output contracted the most by 5.6 percent, and manufacturing production dropped 1.3 percent.
Hungary's consumer price inflation increased more than expected in April to the highest level in three months. Consumer prices climbed 2.1 percent year-on-year in April, faster than the 1.8 percent rise in March. The expected inflation rate was 2.0 percent. Food inflation rose 1.5 percent annually in April after remaining flat in March.
Consumers in Switzerland remained slightly less negative at the start of the second quarter. The consumer sentiment index rose to -40.0 in April from -43.0 in the previous month. Further, the index also improved from the previous year's reading of -42.0. Among components, the sub-indices for expected economic development and past financial situation were above their previous year's levels.
Sweden's industrial production growth moderated in March after accelerating in the previous month. Industrial production rose 3.0 percent yearly in March, slower than the 6.2 percent growth in February. The slowdown in overall industrial output growth was influenced by renewed falls of 6.8 percent and 3.8 percent, respectively, in the mining and quarrying and utility sectors.
UK house prices dropped for the second straight month in April as geopolitical tensions drive inflation higher and trigger interest rate hike concerns, data published by the mortgage lender Halifax showed Friday. House prices dropped 0.1 percent on a monthly basis in April but slower than the 0.5 percent decrease in March.
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.
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.