Canadian stocks inched lower on Friday as investors weighed the U.S.-Iran Memorandum of Understanding signed on Wednesday against the sudden cancellation of today's planned first round of U.S.-Iran talks in Switzerland amid fresh Israel-Hezbollah attacks.
The Bank of Russia reduced its benchmark interest rate by a quarter basis points on Friday, marking the ninth consecutive cut as inflation stays above the target. The Board of Directors decided to cut the key rate to 14.25 percent from 14.50 percent, the Russian central bank said. Markets had anticipated a 50 basis-point reduction.
The British pound strengthened against other major currencies in the European session on Friday, after the release of strong retail sales figure in May and the political stability indicated by Andy Burnham's victory in the Makerfield by-election. Investors considered the possibility of further political...
UK retail sales rebounded in May as promotions and the hot weather drove consumer spending data, from the Office for National Statistics showed Friday. Retail sales grew by more-than-expected 1.2 percent on a monthly basis in May, in contrast to April's 1.0 percent fall. Sales were forecast to climb 0.5 percent. Excluding auto fuel sales, retail sales moved up 1.2 percent.
Retail sales and public sector finances from the UK and monetary policy decision from Russia are due on Friday. At 2.00 am ET, the Office for National Statistics releases UK retail sales and public sector net borrowing figures.
The U.S. Dollar value edges higher following the projections by the Federal Open Market Committee which indicated a higher interest regime for the rest of the year. Concerns over oil output restoration despite the resumption of shipping traffic across the Strait of Hormuz added support to the dollar.
A report released by the Conference Board on Thursday showed its reading on leading U.S. economic indicators edged higher for the second straight month in May. The Conference Board said its leading economic index inched up by 0.1 percent in May after rising by 0.2 percent in April. The uptick matched economist estimates.
Philadelphia-area manufacturing activity expanded overall in the month of June, according to a report released by the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia on Thursday. The Philly Fed said its diffusion index for current general activity shot up to a positive 10.3 in June from a negative 0.4 in May, with a positive reading indicating growth.
The Bank of England left its key interest rate unchanged on Thursday as inflation slowed unexpectedly and unemployment declined, and the US-Iran peace deal lowered the upside risks to inflation. The Monetary Policy Committee, led by Governor Andrew Bailey, voted 7-2 to hold the bank rate at 3.75 percent, which is the lowest rate since June 2023.
A report released by the Labor Department on Thursday showed a modest pullback in first-time claims for U.S. unemployment benefits in the week ended June 13th. The Labor Department said initial jobless claims dipped to 226,000, a decrease of 4,000 from the previous week's revised level of 230,000. Economists had expected jobless claims to edge down to 225,000.
The Swiss National Bank left its policy rate unchanged on Thursday as inflation continues to remain well within the target. The central bank left its policy rate at zero percent, in line with market expectations. The SNB had lowered the key rate by 175 basis points since March 2024.
The British pound weakened against other major currencies in the European session on Thursday, as traders await the Bank of England (BOE) monetary policy decision due later in the day. The BoE is set to announce its monetary policy decision later today. Markets anticipate the BoE to maintain its...
The Philippine central bank lifted its key interest rates by 25 basis points on Thursday to control inflation expectations and mitigate the risk of second-round effects. The Monetary Board of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas decided to lift the reverse repurchase rate by 25 basis points to 4.75 percent. The interest rates on the overnight deposit and lending facilities were adjusted.
The UK unemployment rate dropped in the three months to April and wages grew more than expected, official data revealed Thursday. The jobless rate fell to 4.9 percent in the three months to April from 5.0 percent in the three months to March, the Office for National Statistics said. The rate was expected to remain unchanged at 5.0 percent.
The Bank of England and Swiss National Bank announce monetary policy decisions on Thursday, headlining a hectic day for the European economic news. At 2.00 am ET, the Office for National Statistics releases UK unemployment data. The jobless rate is seen unchanged at 5.0 percent in the three months to April.
June 19, 2026 16:46 ET Major central banks continued to dominate the economic news flow this week too, led by the Federal Reserve, as they announced their latest policy decisions. The Federal Reserve policy session was in focus as it was the first to be led by the new chief Kevin Warsh. In Europe, central banks of the U.K. and Switzerland announced their rate decisions. In Asia, the Bank of Japan drew attention for its policy moves, while data out of China threw some light on the state of the economy.