Latvia's economic growth eased in the first quarter of the year amid a decline in public spending but strong gains in investment offset the impact, and retail sales grew in April on higher demand for non-food products and automotive fuel, separate reports from the Central Statistical Bureau showed on Friday.
Portugal's economy grew at a faster pace in the first quarter of the year underpinned by domestic demand, and inflation remained broadly unchanged in April, separate reports from Statistics Portugal showed on Friday. Gross domestic product grew 2.3 percent year-on-year following a 1.9 percent increase in the previous quarter. This was in line with the flash estimate released on April 30.
Poland's consumer price inflation eased slightly in May from a 10-month high in the previous month. The consumer price index climbed 3.1 percent year-over-year in May, slower than the 3.2 percent increase in April. Cost for fuels and lubricants for personal transport equipment were 12.3 percent more expensive compared to last year.
Germany's inflation slowed in May but core price pressures accelerated on higher service costs, and unemployment declined unexpectedly in April after a notable increase, official data showed Friday. Reflecting the slowdown in energy price growth, consumer price inflation weakened to 2.6 percent in May, preliminary estimate from Destatis revealed. Inflation rate was forecast to stay steady at 2.9
Belgium's economy grew at a slightly faster pace in the first quarter of 2026, as estimated initially. Gross domestic product grew seasonally and calendar-adjusted 0.2 percent sequentially in the first quarter, following a 0.1 percent increase in the fourth quarter. Private consumption advanced 0.6 percent, while general government expenditure dropped 0.5 percent.
A measure signaling future turning points in the Swiss economy increased marginally in May, though the outlook remains muted. The economic barometer rose to 98.0 in May from a revised 97.8 in April. However, it continued to stay below its medium-term average of 100. The indicators for manufacturing especially remained under pressure.
Germany's inflation unexpectedly softened in May largely reflecting the slowdown in energy price growth, preliminary data from Destatis showed Friday. Consumer price inflation weakened to 2.6 percent in May. Inflation was forecast to stay steady at 2.9 percent, which was the highest since December...
Italy's economy expanded at a steady rate in the first quarter and at a faster pace than seen in the flash estimate. Gross domestic product advanced 0.3 percent sequentially, the same pace as in the fourth quarter. In the flash report, the rate of increase was 0.2 percent. On the demand side, investments, final consumption, and net foreign demand contributed positively to the GDP.
The Czech Republic's economy grew at a slower pace as initially estimated in the first quarter. Gross domestic product rose 0.2 per cent sequentially, though slower than the 0.7 per cent expansion in the fourth quarter. The expenditure breakdown showed that household consumption rose 0.6 per cent, while general government consumption decreased by 0.3 per cent.
The French economy contracted unexpectedly in the first quarter due to the fall in exports and investment and consumer price inflation accelerated to the highest level in more than two years in May driven by the increase in energy prices, official data showed Friday. Gross domestic product shrank 0.1 percent in the first quarter from the preceding period.
Consumer price inflation in Italy accelerated further in May to the highest level in more than two-and-a-half years, while the unemployment rate dropped to a series record low in April. Consumer price inflation accelerated to 3.2 percent in May from April's 2.7 percent, flash figures said. The unemployment rate dropped to 5.1 percent in April from 5.2 percent in March.
Sweden's economy contracted as initially estimated in the first quarter amid weaker developments in investment and government spending. Gross domestic product fell 0.2 percent sequentially in the first quarter, reversing an upwardly revised 0.8 percent rise in the fourth quarter. General government consumption decreased 7.6 percent, and gross fixed capital formation declined 2.3 percent.
Finland's economy expanded at an accelerated pace as initially estimated in the first quarter. Gross domestic product rose a seasonally and working-day-adjusted 0.9 percent sequentially in the March quarter, after a 0.3 percent expansion in the previous quarter. During the March quarter, demand was boosted by growth in investments, exports and private consumption.
Germany's import prices increased at the fastest pace since early 2023 in April due to the sharp increases in energy and intermediate goods prices amid the war in the Middle East, data from Destatis showed on Friday. Import prices grew 5.3 percent year-on-year in April after rising 2.3 percent in...
Belgium's consumer price inflation accelerated in May to the highest level in nearly one-and-a-half years amid higher energy costs. The consumer price index climbed 4.08 percent year-over-year in May, faster than the 4.01 percent rise in April. Inflation based on energy quickened to 11.2 percent from 10.6 percent in April. Fuel costs were 27.3 percent more expensive.
May 22, 2026 14:46 ET Minutes of the latest Fed policy session was the highlight of the week along with survey data on the U.S. housing market. In Europe, survey data signaled the trends in the euro area private sector. Further, consumer price inflation data from the U.K. was in focus. In Asia, various economic indicators from China drew attention to the health of the economy.