Turkey's manufacturing capacity utilization rate increased further in June to the highest level in one year, while factory confidence remained more positive. The capacity utilization rate rose to 74.5 percent in June from 74.2 percent in the previous month. Moreover, this was the highest level since June 2025. The manufacturing confidence rose to a 4-month high of 103.5 in June from 103.3 in May.
Consumers in Slovenia remained less pessimistic in May, and the confidence strengthened to the highest level more than four-and-a-half years. The consumer sentiment index rose to -20 in May from -27 in April. Moreover, a similar reading was last seen in August 2021. Expectations regarding the general economic situation of the country over the next year strengthened notably to -20 from -35.
Greece's current account deficit decreased in April from a year ago, mainly due to improvements in the balance of goods and the secondary income account. The current account showed a deficit of EUR 1.4 billion in April, down from 2.3 billion in the corresponding month last year. The goods trade deficit narrowed to EUR 2.3 billion from EUR 2.9 billion as exports grew faster than imports.
Germany's producer prices increased at the fastest pace in three years in May, Destatis reported Friday. Producer prices grew 2.2 percent year-on-year in May, faster than the 1.7 percent rise seen in April. Prices grew the most since May 2023. Nonetheless, the pace of increase was slower than forecast...
UK retail sales rebounded in May as promotions and the hot weather drove consumer spending data, from the Office for National Statistics showed Friday. Retail sales grew by more-than-expected 1.2 percent on a monthly basis in May, in contrast to April's 1.0 percent fall. Sales were forecast to climb 0.5 percent. Excluding auto fuel sales, retail sales moved up 1.2 percent.
Italy'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.
Poland's industrial production growth rebounded unexpectedly in May. Industrial production advanced 4.1 percent year-over-year in May, faster than the revised 2.9 percent growth in the prior month. The upturn in May was mainly supported by a 32.6 percent growth in mining and quarrying output and a 13.7 percent expansion in the utility segment.
The Malaysian foreign trade surplus increased notably in May from a year ago as exports grew much faster than imports. The trade surplus climbed to MYR 40.4 billion in May from MYR 0.8 billion in the same month last year. The surplus also increased from MYR 29.2 billion in April. Exports jumped 45.3 percent year-on-year in May, reaching a record high for a single month.
Malaysia's consumer price inflation rose further in May to the highest level in nearly two years. The consumer price index posted an annual increase of 2.0 percent after rising 1.9 percent in April. Inflation based on food and beverages accelerated to 1.4 percent from 1.2 percent, and that on information and communication rose to 2.1 percent from 2.0 percent.
The UK budget deficit widened more than officially estimated in May, data published by the Office for National Statistics showed Friday. Public sector net borrowing rose to GBP 23.3 billion from GBP 17.9 billion in the previous month. This was the second highest borrowing in any May on record....
Retail sales and public sector finances from the UK and monetary policy decision from Russia are due on Friday. At 2.00 am ET, the Office for National Statistics releases UK retail sales and public sector net borrowing figures.
Japan inflation remained unchanged in May as government measures helped to bring down energy prices, data from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications showed Friday. Core consumer prices, excluding fresh food, registered a steady growth of 1.4 percent in May. The rate also matched expectations....
New Zealand posted a seasonally adjusted merchandise trade surplus of NZ$800 Million in May, Statistics New Zealand revealed on Friday. That missed forecasts for a surplus of NZ$875 million and was down from the downwardly revised NZ$1.598 billion surplus in April (originally NZ$1.920 billion). Exports...
The Bank of Japan will on Friday release the minutes from its April 27-28 monetary policy meeting, highlighting a modest day for Asia-Pacific economic activity. At the meeting, the BoJ voted 6-3 to retain its key interest rate around 0.75 percent and upgraded its inflation outlook citing higher global...
Norway's central bank left its key interest rate unchanged on Thursday but hinted at a rate hike in one of the future sessions to bring the high inflation back to target. The Monetary Policy and Financial Stability Committee decided to keep the policy rate unchanged at 4.25 percent at its meeting on June 17, the Norges Bank said in a statement.
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.