Norway's economy expanded in the first quarter after a renewed contraction in the previous quarter. Gross domestic product rose 0.4 percent sequentially in the first quarter, reversing a 0.6 percent decrease in the fourth quarter. Mainland Norway logged a stable quarterly growth of 0.2 percent versus an expected increase of 0.3 percent.
Sweden's foreign trade balance swung to a deficit in April from a surplus in the previous year as imports grew faster than exports. The trade balance showed a shortfall of SEK 7.3 billion in April versus a surplus of SEK 5.3 billion in the corresponding month last year. The value of exports rose 8.0 percent annually in April, and imports were 16.0 percent higher.
Estonia's retail sales growth moderated in April after accelerating in the previous month. The volume of retail sales rose 1.6 percent annually in April, much slower than the 6.9 percent increase in March. In February, sales growth was 4.8 percent. Sales of automotive fuel in specialized stores grew at a slower pace of 2.7 percent versus a 14.8 percent surge in March.
The Bank of Korea left its interest rate unchanged on Thursday but kept the door open for rate hikes as both inflation and economic growth forecasts exceed previous projections. At the first meeting of Shin Hyun Song as governor, the policy board decided to hold the base rate at 2.50 percent.
The Bank of Korea will wrap up its monetary policy meeting on Thursday and then announce its decision on interest rates, highlighting a modest day for Asia-Pacific economic activity. The BoK is expected to keep its benchmark lending rate unchanged at 2.50 percent. Australia will release Q1 data for...
The Treasury Department continued this week's series of announcements of the results of its long-term securities auctions on Wednesday, revealing this month's sale of $70 billion worth of five-year notes attracted average demand. The five-year note auction drew a high yield of 4.182 percent and a...
Austria's manufacturing activity expanded at a slightly faster pace in May, survey data from S&P Global showed Wednesday. The UniCredit Bank Austria manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index rose to 51.7 in May from 51.2 in the previous month. A score above 50.0 indicates expansion. The uptick in...
French consumer confidence fell to the lowest in more than three years in May, survey data from the statistical office INSEE showed Wednesday. The consumer sentiment index dropped more-than-expected to 82 in May from 84 in the previous month. This was the lowest since March 2023. The survey showed that the proportion of households believing it is a good time to make major purchases fell sharply.
Europe's new car registrations grew at a slower pace in April amid heightened geopolitical risks, data from the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association, or ACEA, showed Wednesday. New car registrations grew 5.1 percent year-on-year in April, slower than the 12.5 percent increase in March.
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand maintained its benchmark interest rate on Wednesday and signalled rate hikes at coming meetings. The Monetary Policy Committee, governed by Anna Breman, voted to hold the Official Cash Rate at 2.25 percent. The bank has lowered its benchmark rate by 325 basis points since August 2024, bringing it to the lowest since mid-2022.
Producer prices in Japan were up 3.0 percent on year in April, the Bank of Japan said on Wednesday - beneath expectations for 3.3 percent, which would have been unchanged from the March reading. On a monthly basis, producer prices were up 0.5 percent - slowing from 1.3 percent in the previous month. Excluding...
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand will wrap up its monetary policy meeting on Wednesday and then announce its decision on interest rates, highlighting a modest day for Asia-Pacific economic activity. The RBNZ is expected to keep its Official Cash Rate steady at 2.25 percent. Australia will release Q1...
The European Central Bank "will do what is necessary" to bring inflation back to the 2 percent target, ECB policymaker and Bank of France Governor Villeroy de Galhau said in an interview to the broadcaster CNBC on Tuesday. "The data so far are telling that it's mainly a first-round effect, but we should be extremely vigilant about possible second-round effect," the policymaker said.
Consumer confidence in the U.S. saw a modest deterioration in the month of May, according to a report released by the Conference Board on Tuesday. The Conference Board said its consumer confidence index dipped to 93.1 in May from an upwardly revised 93.8 in April. Economists had expected the consumer confidence index to edge down to 92.0 from the 92.8 originally reported for the previous month.
The Hungarian central bank left its key interest rates unchanged for a third policy session in a row on Tuesday, in line with expectations. The Monetary Council decided to hold the central bank base rate steady at 6.25 percent and the deposit interest rate at 5.25 percent, the Magyar Nemzeti Bank said in a statement. The lending rate was kept unchanged at 7.25 percent.
May 22, 2026 14:46 ET Minutes of the latest Fed policy session was the highlight of the week along with survey data on the U.S. housing market. In Europe, survey data signaled the trends in the euro area private sector. Further, consumer price inflation data from the U.K. was in focus. In Asia, various economic indicators from China drew attention to the health of the economy.