After reporting a sharp increase in new home sales in the U.S. in the previous month, the Commerce Department released a report on Thursday showing new home sales pulled back by much more than expected in the month of April. The Commerce Department said new home sales plunged by 6.2 percent to an annual rate of 622,000 in April after surging by 3.4 percent to a revised rate of 663,000 in March.
Revised data released by the Commerce Department on Thursday showed the U.S. economy grew by less than previously estimated in the first quarter of 2026. The report said real gross domestic product shot up by 1.6 percent in the first quarter, reflecting a downward revision from the previously reported 2.0 percent surge.
A report released by the Commerce Department on Thursday showed new orders for U.S. manufactured durable goods soared by much more than expected in the month of April. The Commerce Department said durable goods orders spiked by 7.9 percent in April after jumping by an upwardly revised 1.3 percent in March.
The Commerce Department released a report on Thursday showing consumer prices in the U.S. increased by slightly less than expected in the month of April. The report said the personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index rose by 0.4 percent in April after climbing by 0.7 percent in March. Economists had expected prices to increase by 0.5 percent.
A report released by the Labor Department on Thursday showed first-time claims for U.S. unemployment benefits rose by slightly more than expected in the week ended May 23rd. The Labor Department said initial jobless claims climbed to 215,000, an increase of 5,000 from the previous week's revised level of 210,000. Economists had expected jobless claims to rise to 213,000.
The Swiss franc weakened against other major currencies in the European session on Thursday, as the Swiss central bank has indicated a stronger willingness to intervene against excessive franc strength. Investors are focusing on the release of the Swiss ZEW Survey and the U.S. PCE inflation report....
Eurozone economic confidence improved unexpectedly in May on rising sentiment among consumers and service providers, survey results from the European Commission showed Thursday. The economic sentiment index rose to 93.5 in May from 93.2 in the previous month. The score was expected to fall to 92.8.
The Bank of Korea left its interest rate unchanged on Thursday but kept the door open for rate hikes as both inflation and economic growth forecasts exceed previous projections. At the first meeting of Shin Hyun Song as governor, the policy board decided to hold the base rate at 2.50 percent.
The U.S. Dollar value inched higher amid a fall in crude oil prices due to increasing expectations of a U.S.-Iran peace deal despite U.S. President Donald Trump continuing to demonstrate a hard stance.
French consumer confidence fell to the lowest in more than three years in May, survey data from the statistical office INSEE showed Wednesday. The consumer sentiment index dropped more-than-expected to 82 in May from 84 in the previous month. This was the lowest since March 2023. The survey showed that the proportion of households believing it is a good time to make major purchases fell sharply.
The euro strengthened against other major currencies in the European session on Wednesday, as European stock markets traded higher on improved prospects of a U.S.-Iran deal. Hours after the U.S. struck Iranian naval facilities, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said a potential deal to end the...
Europe's new car registrations grew at a slower pace in April amid heightened geopolitical risks, data from the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association, or ACEA, showed Wednesday. New car registrations grew 5.1 percent year-on-year in April, slower than the 12.5 percent increase in March.
The New Zealand dollar strengthened against other major currencies in the Asian session on Wednesday, after the Reserve Bank of New Zealand maintained its benchmark interest rate and signaled rate hikes at coming meetings. The Monetary Policy Committee, governed by Anna Breman, voted to hold the Official...
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand maintained its benchmark interest rate on Wednesday and signalled rate hikes at coming meetings. The Monetary Policy Committee, governed by Anna Breman, voted to hold the Official Cash Rate at 2.25 percent. The bank has lowered its benchmark rate by 325 basis points since August 2024, bringing it to the lowest since mid-2022.
The U.S. Dollar value moved higher as U.S.-Iran peace deal continues to remain elusive while U.S. conducted "self-defense" strikes on Iran renewing Middle East tensions.
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.