European stocks are seen opening sharply lower on Monday after data showed Chinese industrial production for January and February shrank 13.5 percent, marking the first contraction in around 30 years amid a widespread shutdown of manufacturing operations.
Retail sales, a key metric of consumption in the world's second largest economy, fell by 20.5 percent, marking the first decline on record. Fixed asset investment was down 24.5 percent versus a 5.4 percent rise in January to December 2019.
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Market Analysis
April 17, 2026 15:29 ET The ongoing conflict in the Middle East continues to raise concerns for policymakers who worry about the impact of the supply shock and high energy prices on the real economy. Producer price data and various survey results on the housing market were the main news from the U.S. this week. In Europe, industrial production data for the euro area gained attention. GDP figures out of China and the policy move by the Singapore central bank were in focus in Asia.