Norway's foreign trade surplus increased sharply in May from a year ago as exports grew faster than imports. The trade surplus rose to NOK 62.6 billion in May from NOK 44.1 billion in the same month last year. Meanwhile, the surplus decreased from NOK 83.6 billion in April. Exports surged 15.2 percent annually in May, while imports were 2.6 percent higher.
India's wholesale price inflation accelerated further in May, largely driven by higher costs for crude oil caused by the impact of the Middle East war. The wholesale price index climbed 9.68 percent year-over-year in May, faster than the 8.26 percent rise in April, according to the revised series of WPI with a new base year 2022-23.
The euro area trade balance shifted to a deficit in April due to the surge in imports, according to official data released Monday. The trade balance showed a shortfall of EUR 1.0 billion compared to a surplus of EUR 4.9 billion in March. In the same period last year, the trade surplus totalled EUR 8.7 billion.
Eurozone industrial production logged a marginal expansion in April, with consumer and intermediate goods offsetting declines in capital and energy sectors, official data showed Monday. Industrial output rose 0.1 percent from March, when production advanced 0.4 percent, Eurostat reported. Output was expected to climb 0.2 percent. Nonetheless, this was the third consecutive rise in production.
Italy's foreign trade surplus increased in April from a year ago as exports grew faster than imports. The trade surplus rose to EUR 4.3 billion in April from EUR 2.5 billion in the corresponding month last year. Exports climbed 8.8 percent annually in April, and imports were 5.5 percent higher. The export growth was sustained and involved most sectors, with the exception of pharmaceuticals.
Finland's consumer price inflation accelerated in May to the highest level in more than two years, driven primarily by higher transport charges amid rising fuel prices. The consumer price index rose 2.1 percent year-over-year in May, faster than the 1.5 percent increase in April. Further, this was the highest inflation rate since March 2024, when prices climbed 2.2 percent.
Japan's tertiary activity index increased for the first time in three months in April. The seasonally adjusted tertiary activity index rose 1.3 percent on a monthly basis, reversing a 0.6 percent decrease in March. Among industries, finance and insurance, information and communications, wholesale trade, living and amusement-related services increased.
Germany's wholesale price inflation eased in May largely due to the reduction in the energy tax on mineral oil products, data from Destatis showed Monday. Wholesale prices increased 5.9 percent year-on-year in May after rising 6.3 percent in April. Destatis said the war in the Middle East pushed...
Industrial production and foreign trade from the euro area and wholesale prices from Germany are due on Monday. At 2.00 am ET, Destatis is slated to issue Germany's wholesale prices for May. Wholesale prices are forecast to grow 0.8 percent on a monthly basis, following a 2.0 percent rise in April.
South Korea is on Monday scheduled to release May numbers for imports, exports and trade balance, highlighting a modest day for Asia-Pacific economic activity. In April, imports were up 20.8 percent on year and exports rose an annual 53.2 percent for a trade surplus of $26.95 billion. New Zealand...
With consumers experiencing some relief due to the early-month easing in gasoline prices, the University of Michigan released a report on Friday showing a bigger than expected rebound in U.S. consumer sentiment in the month of June. The University of Michigan said its consumer sentiment index jumped to 48.9 in June after slumping to 44.8 in May. Economists had expected the index to rise to 46.0.
The persisting conflict in the Middle East and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz are expected to keep the global energy prices elevated this year with a 36 percent increase in the Brent crude oil prices, a new report from the World Bank said.
India's consumer price inflation accelerated less than expected in May to the highest level in sixteen months amid higher food costs. The consumer price index registered an increase of 3.93 percent on a yearly basis in May, faster than the 3.48 percent rise in April. Food inflation quickened to 4.78 percent from 4.20 percent. Charges for transport services for goods surged 7.63 percent.
The U.K. economy contracted for the first time since August last year as the U.S.-Iran war has started to take its toll on business activity, official data showed Friday. Real gross domestic product decreased 0.1 percent in April, in contrast to a 0.3 percent expansion in March, the Office for National Statistics reported. This was the first monthly fall since August 2025.
Hong Kong's industrial production expanded at a slower pace in the first quarter of 2026. The index of industrial production for manufacturing industries as a whole climbed 3.1 percent annually in the first quarter, following a 5.8 percent rebound in the fourth quarter. Production of textiles and wearing apparel fell at a stable pace of 4.7 percent.
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.