The U.S. Dollar value ended roughly flat as investors focused on intensifying Pakistani mediation in achieving a U.S.-Iran peace deal amid concerns of an approaching crude oil inventory shortage.
A reading on leading U.S. economic indicators unexpectedly edged slightly higher in the month of April, according to a report released by the Conference Board on Friday. The Conference Board said its leading economic index crept up by 0.1 percent in April after falling by 0.6 percent. Economists had expected the index to dip by 0.3 percent.
A report released by the University of Michigan on Friday showed consumer sentiment in the U.S. deteriorated by much more than previously estimated in the month of May. The University of Michigan said its consumer sentiment index for May was downwardly revised to 44.8 from a preliminary reading of 48.2. Economists had expected the index to be unrevised.
The German economy expanded at a slightly faster pace in the first quarter, underpinned by consumption and exports, defying the adverse impact of the conflict in the Middle East. Germany's gross domestic product grew 0.3 percent from a quarter ago, unrevised from the previous estimate and followed the fourth quarter's 0.2 percent expansion, detailed data from Destatis showed Friday.
German business sentiment improved in May after falling for two straight months but the index remained at a low level as energy shock triggered by the near closure of the Strait of Hormuz weigh on manufacturing, survey results from the ifo Institute showed Friday. The business climate index posted 84.9 in May, up from 84.5 in April. The reading was also above economists' forecast of 84.2.
UK retail sales declined at the fastest pace in nearly a year in April as consumers reduced fuel purchases after the outbreak of the conflict in the Middle East. A private survey today showed that British consumer sentiment improved in May but rising inflation and continued uncertainty around the interest rate raised concerns about the sustainability of this improvement.
German consumer sentiment is set to improve in June driven by rising income expectations and willingness to buy but the war in the Middle East continues to cloud the outlook, latest results of the NIM Consumer Climate powered by GfK showed Friday. The consumer confidence index rose unexpectedly to -29.8 points in June from -33.1 points in May. The score was expected to fall to -33.7.
Quarterly national accounts, business and consumer sentiment survey results from Germany and retail sales and public finance from the UK are the top economic news due on Friday. At 2.00 am ET, Destatis releases Germany's GDP data for the first quarter. The preliminary estimate showed that the largest euro area economy expanded 0.3 percent after rising 0.2 percent in the fourth quarter.
The U.S. Dollar value moved a little changed after Iranian media reports citing Al-Arabiya indicated that a final draft of U.S.-Iran agreement is underway which could lead to restoring free movement of shipping via the Strait of Hormuz.
A report released by the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia on Thursday showed regional manufacturing activity unexpectedly weakened in the month of May. The Philly Fed said its diffusion index for current general activity plummeted to a negative 0.4 in May from a positive 26.7 in April, with a negative reading indicating contraction.
New residential construction in the U.S. pulled back sharply in April but still came in well above economist estimates, according to a report released by the Commerce Department on Thursday. The Commerce Department said housing starts slumped by 2.8 percent to an annual rate of 1.465 million in April after soaring by 12 percent to an upwardly revised rate of 1.507 million in March.
The Labor Department released a report on Thursday showing first time-claims for U.S. unemployment benefits unexpectedly edged lower in the week ended May 16th. The report said initial jobless claims dipped to 209,000, a decrease of 3,000 from the previous week's revised level of 212,000. Economists had expected jobless claims to inch up to 213,000.
The European Commission downgraded its growth outlook for the euro area economy citing the unprecedented disruption to global energy markets due to the conflict in the Middle East. In the Spring Economic Forecast, the commission said the currency bloc is set to grow 0.9 percent this year, slower than the 1.2 percent projected earlier. The forecast for next year was trimmed to 1.2 percent from 1.
The euro area private sector registered a renewed contraction in April as the war in the Middle East took its toll on business activity, flash survey data from S&P Global showed Thursday. The flash composite output index logged 47.5 in May, down from 48.8 in the previous month. The score was expected to remain stable at 48.8.
The New Zealand dollar strengthened against other major currencies in the Asian session on Thursday, as Asian stock markets traded higher amid renewed optimism about a potential peace deal between the U.S. and Iran after U.S. President Trump said the U.S. was in the final stages of negotiations with...
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.