A report released by the Conference Board on Thursday showed its reading on leading U.S. economic indicators edged higher for the second straight month in May. The Conference Board said its leading economic index inched up by 0.1 percent in May after rising by 0.2 percent in April. The uptick matched economist estimates.
Philadelphia-area manufacturing activity expanded overall in the month of June, according to a report released by the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia on Thursday. The Philly Fed said its diffusion index for current general activity shot up to a positive 10.3 in June from a negative 0.4 in May, with a positive reading indicating growth.
The Bank of England left its key interest rate unchanged on Thursday as inflation slowed unexpectedly and unemployment declined, and the US-Iran peace deal lowered the upside risks to inflation. The Monetary Policy Committee, led by Governor Andrew Bailey, voted 7-2 to hold the bank rate at 3.75 percent, which is the lowest rate since June 2023.
A report released by the Labor Department on Thursday showed a modest pullback in first-time claims for U.S. unemployment benefits in the week ended June 13th. The Labor Department said initial jobless claims dipped to 226,000, a decrease of 4,000 from the previous week's revised level of 230,000. Economists had expected jobless claims to edge down to 225,000.
Philadelphia-area manufacturing activity expanded overall in the month of June, according to a report released by the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia on Thursday. The Philly Fed said its diffusion index for current general activity shot up to a positive 10.3 in June from a negative 0.4 in May,...
A report released by the Labor Department on Thursday showed a modest pullback in first-time claims for U.S. unemployment benefits in the week ended June 13th. The Labor Department said initial jobless claims dipped to 226,000, a decrease of 4,000 from the previous week's revised level of 230,000. Economists...
The Swiss National Bank left its policy rate unchanged on Thursday as inflation continues to remain well within the target. The central bank left its policy rate at zero percent, in line with market expectations. The SNB had lowered the key rate by 175 basis points since March 2024.
The Bank of England left its key interest rate unchanged, as widely expected, on Thursday. The Monetary Policy Committee governed by Andrew Bailey, voted 7-2 to hold the bank rate at 3.75 percent. The current rate remains the lowest since June 2023. Previously, the central bank had reduced the...
Switzerland's foreign trade surplus grew in April as exports grew faster than imports. The trade surplus rose to CHF 5.64 billion in May from CHF 3.28 billion in April. In nominal terms, exports expanded sharply by 13.4 percent monthly in May, while imports were only 3.4 percent higher. Exports of chemicals and pharmaceutical products advanced 25.7 percent.
Portugal's producer price inflation accelerated further in May to the highest level in more than three years amid soaring energy costs. The producer price index climbed 5.1 percent yearly in May, faster than the 3.8 percent renewed increase in April. Energy prices jumped 19.5 percent annually in May due to the impact of the Middle East war, which pushed up oil prices.
The Philippine central bank lifted its key interest rates by 25 basis points on Thursday to control inflation expectations and mitigate the risk of second-round effects. The Monetary Board of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas decided to lift the reverse repurchase rate by 25 basis points to 4.75 percent. The interest rates on the overnight deposit and lending facilities were adjusted.
Italy's current account surplus increased in April from the previous year. The current account surplus rose to EUR 2.3 billion in April from EUR 1.1 billion in the corresponding month last year. The goods trade surplus climbed to EUR 5.0 billion from EUR 3.3 billion, while the secondary income shortfall was EUR 0.94 billion versus EUR 1.1 billion last year.
The Swiss National Bank left its policy rate unchanged on Thursday, despite rising inflation. The central bank left its policy rate at zero percent, in line with market expectations. The SNB had lowered the key rate by 175 basis points since March 2024. The bank exited its negative rate in 2022...
The UK unemployment rate dropped in the three months to April and wages grew more than expected, official data revealed Thursday. The jobless rate fell to 4.9 percent in the three months to April from 5.0 percent in the three months to March, the Office for National Statistics said. The rate was expected to remain unchanged at 5.0 percent.
The Netherlands' unemployment held steady in May after falling to an 8-month low in April. The seasonally adjusted ILO jobless rate stood at 3.9 percent in May, the same as in the previous month. There were 399,000 unemployed people in May compared to 397,000 in the previous month. A year ago, it was 385,000.
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.