The U.S. Dollar value inched lower on Friday as optimism on a resolution to the U.S.-Iran crisis increased after Iran readies for next round of peace talks with the U.S.
Revised data released by the University of Michigan on Friday showed consumer sentiment in the U.S. deteriorated by less than previously estimated in April but still hit a record low. The University of Michigan said its consumer sentiment index for April was upwardly revised to 49.8 from the preliminary reading of 47.6. Economists had expected the index to be unrevised.
The euro strengthened against other major currencies in the European session on Friday, as investors await the Fed and the ECB's monetary policy announcements next week. Gediminas Simkus, a member of the European Central Bank Governing Council, dismissed the prospect of a rate increase at the meeting...
Russia's central bank reduced its benchmark rate for the eighth consecutive time to contain rising inflation. The Board of Directors of the Bank of Russia decided to cut its interest rate by 50 basis points to 14.50 percent. The bank said it will assess the need for further key rate cuts at its upcoming meetings depending on sustainability of inflation slowdown.
UK retail sales grew unexpectedly in March largely due to a rise in fuel sales as motorists stocked up on fuel amid the war in the Middle East, the Office for National Statistics reported Friday. Retail sales increased 0.7 percent on a monthly basis in March, reversing a 0.6 percent fall in February. The increase also exceeded economists' expectations of flat growth.
German business confidence declined to its lowest level in nearly six years in April, driven by the supply chain disruptions and energy shocks caused by the war in the Middle East, survey data from the ifo Institute revealed Friday. The business climate index dropped to 84.4 in April from 86.3 in March. The reading hit the lowest since May 2020 but remained above economists' forecast of 85.7.
The U.S. Dollar value inched higher as supply-disruption concerns on crude oil due to the continued blockade of Strait of Hormuz, pushed inflationary pressures higher despite U.S. extending the ceasefire on Iranian attacks.
First-time claims for U.S. unemployment benefits rose by slightly more than expected in the week ended April 18th, according to a report released by the Labor Department on Thursday. The report said initial jobless claims climbed to 214,000, an increase of 6,000 from the previous week's revised level of 208,000.
The UK private sector economy gained momentum in April after posting the weakest growth in six months in March, supported by moderate upturns in both manufacturing production and service sector output, survey data from S&P Global showed Thursday. The composite output index posted 52.0 in April, up from 50.3 in March. A score above 50.0 indicates expansion.
The euro area private sector contracted in April as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East deepened the economic woes, flash survey results from S&P Global revealed Thursday. The composite output index fell to a 17-month low of 48.6 in April from 50.7 in March. The index fell below the 50.0 no change mark for the first time in 16 months in April.
The euro weakened against other major currencies in the European session on Thursday, as Eurozone business activity unexpectedly slipped into contraction in April as a result of rising energy prices and falling services demand. The ongoing closure of the critical Strait of Hormuz, also led to the downturn...
The antipodean currencies such as the Australia and the New Zealand dollars weakened against their major currencies in the Asian session on Thursday, as Asian markets traded lower, with traders remaining cautious as the blockade of all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports and the Strait...
Europe's new car registrations logged strong growth in March driven by the surge in demand for battery electric vehicles, the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association, or ACEA, said Thursday. Car sales increased 12.5 percent from a year ago to 1.158 million units in March, with electric and hybrid vehicles accounting for the majority of growth.
The U.S. Dollar value moved higher after U.S. President Donald Trump announced an indefinite extension of the ceasefire set to lapse on April 22, which boosted the stock markets. However, the blockade on Strait of Hormuz and Iran's seizure of two ships in the strait kept the tensions alive and limited the dollar's slide.
The British pound strengthened against other major currencies in the European session on Wednesday, after the British consumer price inflation increased in March to the highest level in three months, driven mainly by higher transport costs. Data published by the Office for National Statistics showed...
April 24, 2026 15:15 ET Economics news flow was relatively light this week even as the conflict in the Middle East continued, raising concerns for policymakers. In the U.S., spending data, initial jobless claims and pending home sales were the highlights. Business confidence in the biggest euro area economy was in focus in Europe. Inflation data from Japan gained attention in Asia.