Business inventories in the U.S. increased in line with economist estimates in the month of April, according to a report released by the Commerce Department on Wednesday. The Commerce Department business inventories climbed by 0.5 percent in April after jumping by an upwardly revised 1.0 percent in March.
A report released by the National Association of Realtors on Wednesday showed a substantial increase in pending home sales in the U.S. in the month of May. NAR said its pending home sales spiked by 3.8 percent to 76.8 in May after rising by 0.3 percent to a downwardly revised 74.0 in April. Economists had expected pending home sales to advance by 0.9 percent.
A report released by the Energy Information Administration on Wednesday showed crude oil inventories in the U.S. tumbled by much more than expected in the week ended June 12th. The EIA said crude oil inventories plunged by 8.3 million barrels last week after slumping by 7.2 million barrels in the...
Malta's EU measure of inflation moderated in May to the lowest level in more than a year. The harmonized index of consumer prices, or HICP, climbed 2.1 percent year-on-year in May, slower than the 2.5 percent increase in the previous month. The annual price growth in food and non-alcoholic beverages eased to 2.0 percent in May from 3.8 percent in April.
Retail sales in the U.S. increased by much more than expected in the month of May, according to a report released by the Commerce Department on Wednesday. The Commerce Department said retail sales grew by 0.9 percent in May after rising by a downwardly revised 0.4 percent in April. Economists had expected retail sales to climb by 0.5 percent.
Retail sales in the U.S. increased by much more than expected in the month of May, according to a report released by the Commerce Department on Wednesday. The Commerce Department said retail sales grew by 0.9 percent in May after rising by a downwardly revised 0.4 percent in April. Economists had...
Sweden's central bank left its interest rate unchanged on Wednesday but the bank hinted at raising the rate later this year. The Executive Board of Riksbank decided to hold the policy rate at 1.75 percent. "… it is well-balanced to leave the policy rate unchanged at 1.75 percent now, but the...
South Africa's retail sales growth moderated to the lowest level in just over one and a half years. Retail sales registered an annual increase of 1.3 percent in April, slower than the 2.5 percent rise in March. The slowdown in growth was largely due to a 0.7 percent fall in sales of textiles, clothing, and footwear and leather goods.
Ireland's foreign trade surplus decreased in May from a year ago as exports plunged amid a surge in imports. On an unadjusted basis, the trade surplus declined to EUR 5.3 billion in May from EUR 10.5 billion in the corresponding month last year. Exports logged an annual fall of 13.2 percent in May, while imports jumped by 22.0 percent. Exports to the US declined 45.1 percent.
Eurozone inflation matched the flash estimate in May, while core inflation accelerated beyond expectations, official data showed Wednesday. Inflation advanced to 3.2 percent, the strongest since September 2023, and remained unchanged from the estimate published on June 2. This followed April's 3.0 percent increase.
Despite transport cost pressures, UK consumer price inflation remained stable in May, ahead of the Bank of England's policy announcement on Thursday. Consumer prices registered an annual increase of 2.8 percent, the same rate as seen in April, the Office for National Statistics said Wednesday. Prices were expected to climb 3.0 percent.
Hungary's average gross earnings growth eased to the lowest level in four months. Average gross earnings grew 9.0 percent annually in April, slower than the 9.2 percent growth in March. The average gross earnings were HUF 772,165 in April compared to HUF 779,752 in the previous month. Net earnings increased by 11.2 percent, and real earnings were 8.9 percent higher than a year earlier.
South Africa's consumer price inflation accelerated in April to the highest level in nearly two years amid higher fuel costs. The consumer price index, or CPI, climbed 4.5 percent year-on-year in May, faster than the 4.0 percent rise in the previous month. Inflation based on transportation quickened to 9.4 percent from 4.9 percent amid a 28.7 percent surge in fuel costs.
Slovakia's EU measure of inflation eased marginally in May as expected. The EU measure of the harmonized index of consumer prices, or HICP, rose 4.0 percent year-on-year in May, slower than the 4.1 percent increase in April. The annual price growth in food and non-alcoholic beverages softened to 0.3 percent from 1.0 percent, and that in health slowed to 4.4 percent from 4.8 percent.
Austria's consumer price inflation increased as estimated initially in May to the highest level in five months. The consumer price index climbed 3.7 percent year-over-year in May, faster than the 3.4 percent increase in April. Inflation based on transportation accelerated to 8.8 percent from 7.7 percent due to a 26.5 percent surge in fuel costs.
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.