The German market is down sharply on Monday amid an escalation in the Middle East conflict, and data showing an unexpected drop in German industrial production in the month of January. A sharp drop in factory orders, and fears of inflation due to higher oil prices weigh as well on sentiment.
Tensions in the Gulf escalated following reports of explosions at Al Udeid Air Base, the largest United States military installation in the Middle East.
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May 01, 2026 15:54 ET Central banks dominated the economics news flow this week with almost all major ones announcing their latest policy decisions and many boosted expectations for a rate hike in June. In other news, several countries released the preliminary data for first quarter economic growth. In the U.S., comments by Fed Chair Jerome Powell were also in focus as his term ends this month.