Germany's private sector contracted for the first time in almost a year in April, reflecting the effects of the war in the Middle East, flash survey data from S&P Global revealed Thursday. The composite output index dropped to a 16-month low of 48.3 in April from 51.9 in the previous month. The...
France's private sector shrank the most since early 2025 in April reflecting deterioration in the service sector as manufacturing output grew at the strongest pace in over four years, data from S&P Global showed Thursday. The flash composite output index fell to a 14-month low of 47.6 in April from...
Poland's retail sales growth accelerated in March to the strongest level in nearly four years. At constant prices, retail sales advanced 8.7 percent annually in March, faster than the 5.0 percent increase in February. Sales of solid, liquid, and gaseous fuels grew the most, by 16.2 percent from last year, followed by textiles, clothing, and footwear, with an increase of 13.6 percent.
Singapore's consumer price inflation accelerated in March to the highest level in one-and-a-half years amid higher private transport costs. The consumer price index, or CPI, climbed 1.8 percent year-over-year in March, faster than February's increase of 1.2 percent. MAS core inflation increased to 1.7 percent in March from 1.4 percent in February.
Europe's new car registrations logged strong growth in March driven by the surge in demand for battery electric vehicles, the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association, or ACEA, said Thursday. Car sales increased 12.5 percent from a year ago to 1.158 million units in March, with electric and hybrid vehicles accounting for the majority of growth.
India's private sector growth accelerated in April after receded in March due to the Middle East war. The HSBC flash composite output index climbed to 58.3 in April from 57.0 in March. A score above 50 indicates expansion in the sector. The upturn in business activity was supported by capacity expansion, better demand conditions, rising intakes of new work, and tech investment.
The UK budget deficit narrowed in March, reaching its lowest level for the month since 2022, the Office for National Statistics reported Thursday. Public sector net borrowing fell by GBP 1.4 billion to GBP 12.6 billion in March. This was the lowest March borrowing since 2022. In March, central...
Japan's private sector growth moderated in April as the slower rise in services activity offset a rebound in manufacturing output, flash survey data from S&P Global showed Thursday. The flash composite output index fell to 52.4 in April from 53.0 in March. Overall private sector activity expanded...
South Korea's gross domestic product was up a seasonally adjusted 1.7 percent on quarter in the first quarter of 2026, the Bank of Korea said in Thursday's preliminary reading. That beat forecasts for an increase of 0.9 percent following the 0.2 percent contraction in the previous three months. Real...
The manufacturing sector in Australia bounced back up into expansion territory, the latest survey from S&P Global showed on Thursday with a manufacturing PMI score of 51.0. That's up from 49.8 in March and it moves above the boom-or-bust line of 50 that separates expansion from contraction. Total...
South Korea will on Thursday release preliminary Q1 figures for gross domestic product, highlighting a busy day for Asia-Pacific economic activity. GDP is expected to rise 0.9 percent on quarter and 2.7 percent on year after slipping 0.2 percent on quarter and expanding 1.6 percent on year in the three...
The Treasury Department announced the results of this month's auction of $13 billion worth of twenty-year bonds on Wednesday, revealing the sale attracted slightly above average demand. The twenty-year bond auction drew a high yield of 4.883 percent and a bid-to-cover ratio of 2.68. Last month,...
Crude oil inventories in the U.S. unexpectedly increased in the week ended April 17th, according to a report released by the Energy Information Administration on Wednesday. The EIA said crude oil inventories climbed by 1.9 million barrels last week after slipping by 0.9 million barrels in the previous...
Iceland's industrial producer price inflation increased in March to the highest level in just over a year. The industrial producer price index rose 8.6 percent yearly in March, faster than the 5.5 percent increase in the previous month. The annual price growth for marine products accelerated to 21.1 percent from 17.5 percent. On a monthly basis, producer prices increased 1.9 percent.
Consumers in Denmark remained more pessimistic in April. The consumer confidence index dropped to -18.6 in April from -18.6 in the previous month. Moreover, this was the lowest reading since November 2025. Consumers expect prices to rise almost the same pace over the next year, and they also expect a rising trend for unemployment.
April 17, 2026 15:29 ET The ongoing conflict in the Middle East continues to raise concerns for policymakers who worry about the impact of the supply shock and high energy prices on the real economy. Producer price data and various survey results on the housing market were the main news from the U.S. this week. In Europe, industrial production data for the euro area gained attention. GDP figures out of China and the policy move by the Singapore central bank were in focus in Asia.