Indonesia's economy grew at the fastest pace in more than three years in the first quarter as government stimulus measures supported the nation amid the adverse effects of the war in the Middle East. Gross domestic product logged an annual growth of 5.61 percent in the first quarter, surpassing the 5.39 percent expansion registered in the fourth quarter, Statistics Indonesia said Tuesday.
Hong Kong's economy expanded at a faster pace in the first quarter. Gross domestic product advanced 5.9 percent year-over-year in the first quarter, faster than the 4.0 percent growth in the fourth quarter. The expenditure breakdown showed that private consumption expenditure grew 5.0 percent from last year, and government consumption was 2.9 percent higher.
The Philippines' consumer price inflation accelerated further in April to the highest level in just over three years. The consumer price index surged 7.2 percent on a yearly basis in April, faster than March's increase of 4.1 percent. The annual price growth in food and non-alcoholic beverages accelerated to 6.0 percent from 2.9 percent.
Spain unemployment declined sharply in April and unemployment among young people logged a historic low, the labor ministry reported Tuesday. The number of unemployed declined 62,668 in April from the previous month to 2.36 million.
Switzerland's consumer price inflation accelerated for the second straight month in April to the highest level in more than a year. The consumer price index climbed 0.6 percent on a yearly basis in April, faster than March's increase of 0.3 percent. Moreover, a similar inflation rate was last seen in December 2024. Costs for housing and energy were 1.5 percent higher compared to last year.
Singapore's retail sales expanded for the second straight month in March. Retail sales climbed 4.8 percent year-on-year in March, though slower than the sharp 8.3 percent rebound in February. Sales of recreational goods alone grew 13.1 percent annually in March, and those of motor vehicles, parts, and accessories were 12.9 percent higher.
Australia's household spending increased at a faster pace in March, driven by higher fuel prices, the Australian Bureau of Statistics said Tuesday. Household spending increased 1.6 percent on a monthly basis, faster than the 0.3 percent rise posted in February. A similar faster growth was last seen...
Corrects first para The Reserve Bank of Australia raised its key interest rate by a quarter-point on Tuesday as risks to inflation remain tilted to the upside. The policy board, governed by Michele Bullock, decided to lift the cash rate target by 25 basis points to 4.35 percent. This decision...
The services sector in Australia swung sharply into expansion territory in April, the latest survey from S&P Global revealed on Tuesday with a services PMI score of 50.7. That's up from 46.3 in March and it moves above the boom-or-bust line of 50 that separates expansion from contraction. Sustained...
The Reserve Bank of Australia will wrap up its monetary policy meeting on Tuesday and then announce its decision on interest rates, highlighting a modest day for Asia-Pacific economic activity. The RBA is widely expected to hike its benchmark lending rate by 25 basis points, to 4.35 percent from 4.10...
The Brazilian manufacturing activity expanded at the quickest pace in over a year in April amid a rebound in international sales growth. The purchasing managers' index, or PMI, for the manufacturing sector climbed to 52.6 in April from 49.0 in March. Production volumes increased for the first time in a year and to the greatest extent since March 2025.
New orders for U.S. manufactured goods increased by much more than expected in the month of March, according to a report released by the Commerce Department on Monday. The Commerce Department said factory orders jumped by 1.5 percent in March after rising by an upwardly revised 0.3 percent in February.
Portugal's industrial production expanded strongly after a renewed decline in the previous month. Industrial production advanced 3.2 percent year-on-year in March, reversing a 3.9 percent fall in February. Moreover, this was the quickest growth in seven months. Production of capital goods recovered sharply by 6.4 percent from last year
Greece's manufacturing growth moderated to a 7-month low in April amid softer expansions in output and new orders. The manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index dropped to 52.4 in April from 54.5 in the previous month. The growth in new orders eased substantially as demand was weighed by widespread uncertainty among customers and pressure from higher costs.
Czech factory activity logged further robust expansion in April despite marked supply-chain disruption caused by the Middle East war. The purchasing managers' index, or PMI, for the manufacturing sector rose slightly to 52.9 in April from 52.8 in March. The strong growth was supported by expansions in output and new orders, as domestic and external client demand was sustained.
May 01, 2026 15:54 ET Central banks dominated the economics news flow this week with almost all major ones announcing their latest policy decisions and many boosted expectations for a rate hike in June. In other news, several countries released the preliminary data for first quarter economic growth. In the U.S., comments by Fed Chair Jerome Powell were also in focus as his term ends this month.