A report released by the University of Michigan on Friday showed consumer sentiment in the U.S. deteriorated by much more than previously estimated in the month of May. The University of Michigan said its consumer sentiment index for May was downwardly revised to 44.8 from a preliminary reading of 48.2. Economists had expected the index to be unrevised.
The UK government's borrowing exceeded the official estimate and also hit the highest level for April since the COVID-19 pandemic, the Office for National Statistics reported Friday. The public sector borrowed GBP 24.3 billion in April compared to GBP 19.5 billion borrowing in the previous year. The...
A report released by the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia on Thursday showed regional manufacturing activity unexpectedly weakened in the month of May. The Philly Fed said its diffusion index for current general activity plummeted to a negative 0.4 in May from a positive 26.7 in April, with a negative reading indicating contraction.
Australia's unemployment rate rose to the highest since 2021 in April, data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed Thursday. The unemployment rate rose to 4.5 percent in April from 4.3 percent in March. This was the highest since November 2021, when the rate was 4.6 percent. The number...
A reading on leading U.S. economic indicators unexpectedly edged slightly higher in the month of April, according to a report released by the Conference Board on Friday. The Conference Board said its leading economic index crept up by 0.1 percent in April after falling by 0.6 percent. Economists had expected the index to dip by 0.3 percent.
May 15, 2026 15:25 ET Apart from the confirmation of Kevin Warsh as the next Fed chair, the main news on the economics front this week included key price data from the U.S. and the first quarter economic growth figures from major economies. Both consumer prices and producer costs have started to reflect the effect of supply shocks due to the Middle East conflict. In Europe, GDP data was in focus, while inflation data from China dominated the news flow in Asia.
Latvia's unemployment rate increased in the first quarter of 2025 after falling in the previous quarter. The jobless rate rose to 7.1 percent in the first quarter from 6.7 percent in the third quarter. The number of unemployed people increased to 66,400 in the March quarter from 63,800 in the preceding three-month period.
Poland's manufacturers expressed a less pessimistic attitude in May. The manufacturing confidence index rose to -4.1 in May from -4.4 in April. The indicator also improved from -9.2 in the corresponding month last year. Among other business climate indicators, the most significant upturn was noted in the accommodation and food service activities section.
The German economy expanded at a slightly faster pace in the first quarter, underpinned by consumption and exports, defying the adverse impact of the conflict in the Middle East. Germany's gross domestic product grew 0.3 percent from a quarter ago, unrevised from the previous estimate and followed the fourth quarter's 0.2 percent expansion, detailed data from Destatis showed Friday.
The unemployment rate in Taiwan decreased marginally in April. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate came in at 3.34 percent in July, down from 3.35 percent from a month ago. In the same period last year, the rate was also 3.35 percent. There were 402,000 unemployed people in April compared to 403,000 a month ago.
The major U.S. index futures are currently pointing to a higher open on Friday, with stocks likely to see further upside after recovering from an initial pullback to end the previous session modestly higher. Stocks may continue to benefit from optimism about an end to the U.S.-Iran war even as crude...
Stocks have moved mostly higher during trading on Friday, adding to the modest gains posted in the previous session. The major averages have all moved to the upside, with the Dow reaching a new record intraday high. Currently, the major averages are off their highs of the session but still in positive territory.
Canadian shares may open with a positive bias on Friday amid reports indicating "slight progress" in U.S.-Iran talks. However, with Tehran reportedly insisting on keeping enriched uranium in Iran, the mood in the market is unlikely to be any significantly bullish.
After recovering from an early pullback to end the previous session modestly higher, stocks may see further upside in early trading on Friday. The major index futures are currently pointing to a higher open for the markets, with the S&P 500 futures up by 0.4 percent. Stocks may continue to benefit...
Renewed optimism about U.S.-Iran talks and rising hopes for a diplomatic resolution to the Middle East conflict may lift investor sentiment on Friday. The dollar was higher in Asian trading session. Brent crude prices jumped nearly 3 percent toward $106 a barrel. Gold prices traded lower, while...
French manufacturing confidence improved further in May and remained above its long-term average. The manufacturing confidence index rose to 102.0 in May from 100.0 in April. The score was forecast to remain stable at 100.0. The increase in May mainly came from the further marked improvement in the balance of opinion on past production.
Ireland's wholesale prices increased for the first time in more than a year in April amid higher costs for energy fuels. Output prices in the manufacturing industry rose 1.4 percent year-over-year in April, reversing a 0.2 percent drop in March. All energy fuels were 42.3 percent higher compared to last year, the data highlighted.
German business sentiment improved in May after falling for two straight months but the index remained at a low level as energy shock triggered by the near closure of the Strait of Hormuz weigh on manufacturing, survey results from the ifo Institute showed Friday. The business climate index posted 84.9 in May, up from 84.5 in April. The reading was also above economists' forecast of 84.2.