Consumer sentiment in the U.S. rebounded by less than previously estimates in the month of December, according to revised data released by the University of Michigan on Friday. The University of Michigan said its consumer sentiment index for December was downwardly revised to 52.9 from a preliminary reading of 53.3. Economists had expected the index to be upwardly revised to 53.4.
The euro area current account surplus rose to a three-month high in October, figures from the European Central Bank showed on Friday. The current account surplus rose to EUR 25.7 billion in October from EUR 23.6 billion in September. The surplus hit the highest since July, when it was EUR 28.8 billion....
The Bank of Japan raised its benchmark rate by a quarter-point on Thursday as inflation remains stubbornly above the target. The policy board decided to hike the uncollateralized overnight call rate to "around 0.75 percent" from "around 0.5 percent." Previously, the BoJ had lifted the benchmark...
A report released by the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia on Thursday unexpectedly showed a notable decrease by its reading on regional manufacturing activity in the month of December. The Philly Fed said its diffusion index for current general activity slumped to a negative 10.2 in December from a negative 1.7 in November, with a negative reading indicating contraction.
Existing home sales in the U.S. saw a modest increase in the month of November, the National Association of Realtors revealed in a report released on Friday. NAR said existing home sales rose by 0.5 percent to an annual rate of 4.13 million in November after jumping by 1.5 percent to an upwardly revised rate of 4.10 million in October.
December 19, 2025 15:10 ET U.S. inflation data and interest rate decisions by major central banks were the highlights of this busy week for economics news flow. Employment data and survey results on the housing markets also gained attention in the U.S. In Europe, the European Central Bank and Bank of England announced their policy decisions and macroeconomic projections.
The declining trend in German producer prices deepened in November. Producer prices dropped 2.3 percent year-on-year in November, faster than the 1.8 percent fall in the prior month. Moreover, this was the quickest decline since April 2024, when prices decreased 3.3 percent. A 9.0 percent plunge in energy prices largely drove the decline amid cheaper costs for natural gas and electricity.
Russia's central bank cut its interest rate by 50 basis points on Friday but reiterated that it will maintain policy tight to bring inflation back to the target. The Board of Directors, led by Governor Elvira Nabiullina, decided to cut the key rate to 16.00 percent from 16.50 percent. The decision matched market expectations. The bank has lowered the interest rate by 400 basis points since Jun
France's producer prices increased for the first time in four months in November. Producer prices in the domestic market rose 1.1 percent on a monthly basis, following a flat change in October. Further, this was the fastest growth in one year. On a yearly basis, producer prices in the home market decreased at a faster pace of 3.3 percent in November versus a 0.8 percent decline in October.
The Bank of Japan raised its benchmark rate by a quarter-point to the highest level in three decades as inflation continued to remain above the target and hinted at further hikes. The policy board, headed by Ueda Kazuo decided, by a unanimous vote, to hike the uncollateralized overnight call rate to "around 0.75 percent" from "around 0.5 percent."
The major U.S. index futures are currently pointing to a slightly higher open on Friday, with stocks likely to see further upside following the notable rebound seen in the previous session. Early buying interest may be generated in reaction to a sharp increase by shares of Oracle (ORCL), as the software...
Canadian stocks climbed sharply on Friday as increases in the price of precious metals and oil pushed up commodity-linked stocks that aided the rise in the index.
Stocks showed a strong move to the upside during trading on Friday, extending the significant rebound seen over the course of Thursday's session. With the upward move, the major averages further offset the weakness seen earlier in the week. The tech-heavy Nasdaq reached new highs for the session going...
After some positive moments till about an hour after the opening bell Friday morning, and a subsequent long spell in negative territory, the Swiss market climbed higher in the final hour to close on a firm note.
European stocks closed higher on Friday, and several markets in the region climbed to fresh highs, with investors reacting to the interest rate decisions by major central banks. Expectations of more monetary easing by the Federal Reserve contributed as well to the positive mood in the markets.
Italy's current account surplus rose to EUR 3.5 billion in October from EUR 3.3 billion corresponding month last year. The capital account surplus rose to EUR 585 million in October from EUR 479 million. Data showed that the financial account surplus rose notably to EUR 11.3 billion from EUR 1.5 billion in October 2024.
Italy's consumer confidence showed some resilience at the end of the year, while composite business confidence improved further to the highest level in nearly two years. Consumer sentiment rose to 96.6 in December from 95.0 in the previous month. The composite business confidence index climbed to 96.5 in December from 96.1 in November, driven by the market services sector.
The UK budget deficit hit the lowest for the month of November in four years, the Office for National Statistics reported Friday. Public sector net borrowing decreased to GBP 11.7 billion in November from GBP 13.6 billion in the previous year. This was the lowest November borrowing since 2021. In...