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.
Singapore's non-oil domestic export growth quickened sharply in May. Non-oil domestic exports grew 38.4 percent year-over-year in April, faster than the 24.4 percent rise in the previous month. Exports of electronic products grew 94.8 percent in May from last year, driven by robust AI-related demand.
UK consumer price inflation remained stable in May, the Office for National Statistics said Wednesday. Consumer prices registered an annual increase of 2.8 percent, the same rate as seen in April. Prices were expected to climb 3.0 percent. Meanwhile, core inflation rose to 2.6 percent from 2.5...
Consumer and producer prices data from the UK is top economic news due on Wednesday. At 2.00 am ET, the Office for National Statistics releases UK consumer and producer prices for May. Inflation is expected to rise to 3.0 percent from 2.8 percent in April. Output price inflation is seen unchanged at 4.0 percent in May.
Australia's leading index signalled sluggish and below-trend growth in May, Westpac said Wednesday. The six-month annualized growth rate in the Westpac-Melbourne Institute Leading Index, which indicates the likely pace of economic activity relative to trend three to nine months into the future, rose...
The value of core machinery orders in Japan was up a seasonally adjusted 8.7 percent on month in April, the Cabinet Office said on Wednesday - coming in at 1,098.5 billion yen. That exceeded expectations for an increase of 1.2 percent following the 9.4 percent drop in March. On a yearly basis,...
Japan posted a merchandise trade deficit of 378.673 billion yen in May, the Ministry of Finance said on Wednesday. That beat expectations for a shortfall of 564.6 billion yen following the downwardly revised 299.3 billion yen surplus in April (originally 301.9 billion). Exports climbed 17.0 percent...
New Zealand posted a seasonally adjusted current account deficit of NZ$4.6 billion in the first quarter (NZ$1.01 billion unadjusted), Statistics New Zealand said on Wednesday. The current account deficit for the year ended March 2026 narrowed to NZ$16.3 billion (3.6 percent of GDP) compared with a...
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.