Belgium's business confidence improved more than economists expected in May after staying virtually unchanged in the previous month, data released by the National Bank of Belgium showed Friday.
The business confidence index dropped to -12.4 in May from -14.7 in April. Economists had forecast a reading...
World trade increased at a steady pace in the first quarter, in a sign that the economy is expanding modestly, a report released by the Netherlands Bureau of Economic Policy Analysis, or the CPB, showed Friday.
The volume of international trade increased 0.7 percent sequentially in the first three...
Sentiment among German companies strengthened in May for the first time since February due to an improvement in current conditions, indicating that the economy remains on track despite a challenging environment. Moreover, the GfK survey forecast German optimism to reach its highest level in more than five years.
The renewed improvement in Germany's economic sentiment indicates that the economy is set to record stronger growth in the second quarter, Capital Economics Senior European Economist Jennifer McKeown said Friday.
Capital Economics said that the faster-than-expected rise in business sentiment, as revealed...
Bank of England policymaker Paul Fisher said Friday that his vote at the monetary policy committee for extra bond purchases in the past few months was driven by the need to continue supporting the ongoing balance-sheet adjustments across the economy.
"My policy vote has been driven by the need to...
Foreign tourist arrivals in Turkey increased at a notably slower pace in April, preliminary data released by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism showed Friday.
The number of foreign tourists visiting the country increased 13.02 percent from last year to around 2.45 million in April, which was markedly...
Contractual hourly wages in Italy increased at a steady pace in April, data from statistical office Istat showed Friday.
Wages increased 0.3 percent month-on-month in April following no change in March. Year-on-year, wages rose 1.4 percent, at the same pace as in February and March.
Wages recorded...
Mortgage approvals in the UK increased less than expected in April, the latest figures from the British Bankers' Association (BBA) showed Friday.
The number of loans approved for house purchase rose to 32,153 in April from 31,401 in March. Economists expected it to rise to 32,800.
Net mortgage...
A rebound in consumer spending helped the German economy thwart recession in the first quarter of 2013, detailed data from the Federal Statistical Office revealed Friday. However, the continued fall in firms' fixed asset investment and extreme weather conditions stifled the recovery. Market research group GfK predicts further increase in consumer confidence in June.
Germany's business sentiment improved to 105.7 in May from 104.4 in April, reports said citing a survey from the Ifo institute on Friday. The reading was forecast to remain unchanged at 104.4.
The assessment of current conditions rose to 110, from 107.3 a month ago. The reading was above the expected...
Confidence among Italian consumers declined unexpectedly in May, the latest report from statistical office Istat showed Friday.
The consumer confidence index fell to 85.9 in May from 86.3 in April. Economists expected an increase in the index score to 86.9.
The economic climate index dropped to...
Poland's retail sales decreased from last year in April, defying economists' forecast for an increase, latest data showed Friday.
Retail sales, at current prices, decreased 0.2 percent year-on-year in April, reversing the 0.1 percent gain seen in March, the statistical office said. Economists had...
Austria's industrial production decreased from last year in March, data released by Statistics Austria showed Friday.
Industrial production declined a working-day adjusted 1.7 percent year-on-year in March. Production, excluding the construction sector, was lower by 1.4 percent than a year earlier....
Sweden's economic confidence deteriorated for the second successive month in May, contrary to economists' forecast for an improvement, indicating that growth in the Swedish economy is much weaker than normal, latest data showed Friday.
The headline economic confidence index dropped to 91.9 in May...
Spain's producer prices declined in April from a year ago for the first time since 2009, data from the statistical office INE showed Friday.
Producer prices fell 0.5 percent annually after staying flat in March. This was the first decline since November 2009, when it was down 1.8 percent.
On a...