June 12, 2026 17:14 ET Major central bank action was the focus this week in economic news. The European Central Bank became the first major central bank to move in response to the rising inflationary pressures in the backdrop of the conflict in the Middle East. In North America, the U.S. inflation and trade data as well as Canada’s central bank decision gained attention. The Chinese trade data was the main news in Asia.
June 19, 2026 04:52 ETItaly's construction output increased for the second successive month in April. Construction production rose 0.3 percent month-on-month in April, though slower than the 1.9 percent strong recovery in March. The annual outcome was also an expansion of 2.7 percent versus a 3.0 percent growth in the prior month.
June 18, 2026 23:11 ETAsian markets are mostly higher on Friday, following the positive cues from Wall Street overnight, with China, Hong Kong and Taiwan closed for holidays, on optimism about the end of the Middle East war amid the inking of an interim peace agreement and the opening of the Strait of Hormuz. These were partially offset by concerns about a possible interest rate hike by the US Fed later this year.
June 18, 2026 14:39 ETReversing the gains from yesterday's session, crude oil prices have edged lower on Thursday following the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and the resumption of the free flow of oil from the gulf. Concerns related to early restoration of output in Arab nations restricted the downside movement.
June 18, 2026 08:07 ETSentiment in global markets remains mixed as an easing in geopolitical tensions attributed to the peace deal signed between the U.S. and Iran as well as renewed worries about interest rates going up, both impacted market sentiment.