Cyprus' consumer price inflation accelerated in April to the highest level in nearly two years. The consumer price index climbed 2.8 percent year-on-year in April, faster than the 1.2 percent increase in March. Housing and utility costs rebounded 2.7 percent annually after falling 1.9 percent a month ago. On a monthly basis, consumer prices increased 1.7 percent.
Slovakia's foreign trade surplus increased in March from a year ago as exports rose amid a fall in imports. The trade balance showed a surplus of EUR 591.5 million in March, up from EUR 386.5 million in the corresponding month last year. Exports increased 0.5 percent, while imports continued to fall by 1.6 percent.
The UK construction sector logged a faster contraction in April amid rapid acceleration in cost inflation. The construction Purchasing Managers' Index declined to 39.7 in April from 45.6 in March. New business fell at the fastest pace since November 2025 due to subdued demand conditions and a subsequent lack of new work to replace completed projects.
Germany's construction activity contracted at the sharpest pace in 13 months in March as Middle East tensions impact overall industry performance, survey data from S&P Global showed Thursday. The construction Purchasing Managers' Index fell to 42.1 in April from 48.0 in March. The score was the lowest...
Ireland's unemployment rate decreased in April after remaining stable in the previous two months. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dropped to 4.8 percent in April from March's stable rate of 5.0 percent. In the corresponding month last year, the rate was 4.6 percent. There were 140,300 unemployed people in April compared to 146,200 in the previous month.
France's foreign trade deficit increased in March as imports grew faster than exports. The trade gap widened to EUR 6.9 billion in March from EUR 5.5 billion in February. The expected deficit was EUR 5.6 billion. Exports posted a monthly increase of 1.0 percent in March, while imports climbed at a comparatively faster pace of 3.2 percent.
Norway's central bank raised its benchmark rate unexpectedly by a quarter-point on Thursday as the war in the Middle East pushed up inflation and raised substantial uncertainty about the economic outlook. The Monetary Policy and Financial Stability Committee of Norges Bank decided to raise the policy rate to 4.25 percent from 4.0 percent.
Hungary's retail sales expanded at the quickest pace in nearly four years in March. Retail sales climbed a calendar-adjusted 8.2 percent yearly in March, faster than the 3.8 percent growth in the prior month. The acceleration in growth was mainly driven by a 20.6 percent jump in sales of automotive fuel. The annual sales growth in non-food products quickened to 8.4 percent from 5.0 percent.
Eurozone retail sales dropped marginally in March as reduced food and auto fuel sales were partially offset by the increased non-food product sales, official data revealed Thursday. Retail sales dropped 0.1 percent on a monthly basis in March, marking the third consecutive fall, Eurostat reported....
The Czech Republic's industrial output growth moderated further in March to the lowest level in six months. Industrial production rose a working-day-adjusted 0.9 percent year-on-year in March, slower than the 1.3 percent increase in February. The trade surplus rose to 31.9 billion in March from CZK 28.1 billion in the corresponding month last year.
Switzerland's unemployment rate decreased further in April to the lowest level in five months. The unadjusted unemployment rate dropped to 3.0 percent in April from 3.1 percent in March. In the corresponding month last year, the jobless rate was 2.8 percent. There were 146,902 unemployed people in April compared to 146,255 in the prior month.
Denmark's industrial production expanded strongly after falling in the previous month. Industrial production advanced a seasonally adjusted 8.6 percent month-on-month in March, reversing a 4.5 percent decline in February. The pharmaceutical industry grew 15.0 percent compared to February, and output produced in the electronics industry jumped by 37.0 percent.
German factory orders grew at a faster pace in March as manufacturers rushed to secure raw materials ahead of potential future price increases and supply shortages. Factory orders increased 5.0 percent in March compared to February's revised growth of 1.4 percent, Destatis reported Thursday. The monthly increase significantly outpaced the 1.0 percent forecast.
Romania's retail sales declined for the eighth straight month in March. Retail sales fell by a working-day-adjusted 3.2 percent year-on-year in March, slower than the 5.9 percent decrease in February. Sales have been falling since August 2025. Sales of non-food products alone contracted 7.4 percent annually in March, and those of food products dropped 3.0 percent.
Consumer price inflation in Luxembourg accelerated further in April to the highest level in four months. The consumer price index rose 3.1 percent year-on-year in April, faster than the 2.4 percent increase in March. Energy prices surged by 17.7 percent annually as the repercussions of the war in Iran continue to exert significant pressure on costs.
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.