The Commerce Department released a report on Friday showing a sharp increase in U.S. wholesale inventories in the month of March. The report said wholesale inventories shot up by 1.3 percent in March after climbing by an upwardly revised 0.9 percent in February.
Slovakia's industrial production decreased for the second straight month in March. Industrial production fell 0.9 percent year-on-year in March, slower than the 2.9 percent decline in February. The overall industrial performance was most significantly affected by lower manufacture of motor vehicles and a marked decline in manufacture of petroleum products.
Consumer sentiment in the U.S. has deteriorated by more than anticipated in the month of May, according to preliminary data released by the University of Michigan on Friday. The University of Michigan said its consumer sentiment index fell to 48.2 in May from 49.8 in April. Economists had expected the index to edge down to 49.3.
A closely watched report released by the Labor Department on Friday showed much stronger than expected U.S. job growth in the month of April. The Labor Department said non-farm payroll employment shot up by 115,000 jobs in April after surging by an upwardly revised 185,000 jobs in March. Economists had expected employment to climb by 63,000 jobs.
Portugal's foreign trade shortfall increased in March from a year ago as imports grew faster than exports. The trade deficit rose to EUR 2.9 billion in March from EUR 2.5 billion in the same month last year. Exports climbed 10.6 percent year-over-year in March, and imports were 11.6 percent higher.
A closely watched report released by the Labor Department on Friday showed employment in the U.S. increased by much more than expected in the month of April. The Labor Department said non-farm payroll employment shot up by 115,000 jobs in April after surging by an upwardly revised 185,000 jobs in...
Spain industrial output rebounded in March despite the fall in energy production, the statistical office INE said Friday. Industrial production grew 1.8 percent year-on-year in March, in contrast to the 0.9 percent decline in February. On an unadjusted basis, industrial production registered an...
Lithuania's foreign trade deficit decreased in March from a year ago as exports grew amid a fall in imports. The trade deficit dropped to EUR 548.3 million in March from EUR 737.0 million in the corresponding month last year. In February, the shortfall was EUR 496.3 million. On a yearly basis, exports climbed 2.7 percent in March, while imports dropped by 2.5 percent.
Austria's production index expanded for the first time in three months in March. The production index, which combines both industry and construction, advanced 1.7 percent year-over-year in March, after remaining stagnant in the prior month. Industrial production grew 2.8 percent from last year, while construction output logged a decline of 3.0 percent.
Taiwan's foreign trade surplus increased notably in April from a year ago as exports grew much faster than imports. The trade surplus rose to $14.4 billion in April from $7.4 billion in the corresponding month last year. Exports surged 39.0 percent year-on-year in April, and imports were 29.2 percent higher.
Germany's exports grew unexpectedly in March but the overall increase remained weak and imports registered its fastest growth in nearly three years. Exports grew 0.5 percent, following February's 3.6 percent increase, Destatis reported. Shipments were forecast to fall 1.9 percent. At the same time,...
Turkey's industrial production contracted in April after recovering in the previous month. Industrial output dropped 1.1 percent on a yearly basis in March, reversing a 2.2 percent rise in February. Among sectors, mining and quarrying output contracted the most by 5.6 percent, and manufacturing production dropped 1.3 percent.
Hungary's consumer price inflation increased more than expected in April to the highest level in three months. Consumer prices climbed 2.1 percent year-on-year in April, faster than the 1.8 percent rise in March. The expected inflation rate was 2.0 percent. Food inflation rose 1.5 percent annually in April after remaining flat in March.
Consumers in Switzerland remained slightly less negative at the start of the second quarter. The consumer sentiment index rose to -40.0 in April from -43.0 in the previous month. Further, the index also improved from the previous year's reading of -42.0. Among components, the sub-indices for expected economic development and past financial situation were above their previous year's levels.
Sweden's industrial production growth moderated in March after accelerating in the previous month. Industrial production rose 3.0 percent yearly in March, slower than the 6.2 percent growth in February. The slowdown in overall industrial output growth was influenced by renewed falls of 6.8 percent and 3.8 percent, respectively, in the mining and quarrying and utility sectors.
May 08, 2026 15:50 ET Manufacturing and services sector survey results and labor market data from main economies were the highlight on the economics news front this week. Factory orders and jobs report dominated the news flow in the U.S. Similarly, industrial production data from German garnered attention in Europe. In Asia, purchasing managers’ survey results from China and the central bank decision from Australia were in focus.