German consumer sentiment is set to deteriorate sharply in May as income expectations collapsed due to rising inflation amid the war in Iran, the latest results of the NIM Consumer Climate powered by GfK showed Monday. The forward-looking consumer confidence index fell to -33.3 in May from -28.1 in April. This was the lowest score since February 2023.
Consumers in Finland expressed a more pessimistic attitude in April. The consumer confidence index dropped to -12.5 in April from -11.5 in March. Moreover, this was the weakest score since April 2024, when it was -12.6. Consumers' outlook regarding their own and Finland's economy in 12 months' time were very poor. The manufacturing confidence indicator rose to +1.0 in April from -1.0 in March.
French consumer sentiment weakened to a three-year low in April, a monthly survey from the statistical office INSEE showed Friday. The consumer confidence index dropped to 84 in April from 89 in the previous month. This was the lowest score since April 2023.
Slovenia's economic sentiment turned more negative in April to the lowest level in over two-and-a-half years. The seasonally adjusted economic sentiment dropped to -5.3 in April from -2.5 in the previous month. Among components, the morale for the retail sector eased notably to 1.0 from 14.0. The index for the manufacturing sector worsened to a 10-month low of -9 from -8.
Russia's central bank reduced its benchmark rate for the eighth consecutive time to contain rising inflation. The Board of Directors of the Bank of Russia decided to cut its interest rate by 50 basis points to 14.50 percent. The bank said it will assess the need for further key rate cuts at its upcoming meetings depending on sustainability of inflation slowdown.
Spain's producer prices increased for the first time in five months in March amid higher energy costs. Producer prices climbed 3.4 percent year-on-year in March, reversing February's 6.9 percent decline, which was the biggest fall since March 2024. The annual increase was driven by a 7.9 percent renewed surge in energy prices versus a 22.1 percent plunge in February.
The Czech economic confidence eased in April from a 5-month high in the previous month. The economic sentiment index dropped to 101.3 in April from 102.1 in March, which was the highest score since October last year, when it was 104.0. construction confidence strengthened to 115.5 from 113.8, while the morale for the selected services improved from 100.3 to 102.9.
UK retail sales grew unexpectedly in March largely due to a rise in fuel sales as motorists stocked up on fuel amid the war in the Middle East, the Office for National Statistics reported Friday. Retail sales increased 0.7 percent on a monthly basis in March, reversing a 0.6 percent fall in February. The increase also exceeded economists' expectations of flat growth.
The unemployment rate in Poland held steady in March after rising to the highest level in nearly four-and-a-half years in February. The unemployment rate came in at 6.1 percent in March, the same as in the previous month, which was the highest rate since September 2021. There were 949,800 unemployed people in March compared to 954,900 in the previous month.
Hungary's unemployment rate decreased during the January-March period. The unemployment rate stood at 4.7 percent in January-March, down from 4.9 percent in the December to February period. The number of unemployed people was 226,400 compared to 235,700 in the previous three-month period. Data showed that the employment rate rose to 65.0 percent from 64.8 percent.
German business confidence declined to its lowest level in nearly six years in April, driven by the supply chain disruptions and energy shocks caused by the war in the Middle East, survey data from the ifo Institute revealed Friday. The business climate index dropped to 84.4 in April from 86.3 in March. The reading hit the lowest since May 2020 but remained above economists' forecast of 85.7.
Producer prices in Sweden increased for the first time in five months in March and at the quickest pace in just over a year amid soaring energy costs. The producer price index climbed 2.0 percent year-on-year in March, reversing a 1.7 percent decrease in February. Prices for energy-related products alone grew 15.8 percent from last year.
Finland's producer price inflation moderated in March after accelerating sharply in the previous month. The producer price index climbed 2.6 percent year-on-year in March, slower than the 3.8 percent rise in February, which was the fastest increase in nearly three years. The increase in prices was curbed especially by the decrease in prices of electricity and paper and paper products.
Slovenian consumers remained more pessimistic in April. The consumer sentiment index dropped markedly to -32 in April from -22 in February. Moreover, a similar reading was last seen in November 2024. Unemployment fears among households increased, and they also expect a rising trend for consumer prices over the next twelve months.
The UK private sector economy gained momentum in April after posting the weakest growth in six months in March, supported by moderate upturns in both manufacturing production and service sector output, survey data from S&P Global showed Thursday. The composite output index posted 52.0 in April, up from 50.3 in March. A score above 50.0 indicates expansion.
April 24, 2026 15:15 ET Economics news flow was relatively light this week even as the conflict in the Middle East continued, raising concerns for policymakers. In the U.S., spending data, initial jobless claims and pending home sales were the highlights. Business confidence in the biggest euro area economy was in focus in Europe. Inflation data from Japan gained attention in Asia.