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.
The euro area private sector contracted in April as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East deepened the economic woes, flash survey results from S&P Global revealed Thursday. The composite output index fell to a 17-month low of 48.6 in April from 50.7 in March. The index fell below the 50.0 no change mark for the first time in 16 months in April.
French manufacturing confidence rebounded slightly in April and returned to its long-term average. The manufacturing confidence index rose to 100.0 in April from 99.0 in March. The score was forecast to remain stable at 99.0. The increase in April was driven by the rebound of the balances on past production and on global order books. Evolution of workforce size, both past and expected, weakened.
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.
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.
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...
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.
Households in Belgium expressed a more pessimistic attitude in April amid unemployment concerns. The consumer sentiment index dropped to -9.0 in April from -6.0 in the previous month. The expected financial situation of households over the next twelve months weakened further in April, with the corresponding index falling to -5 from -3 in March.
Households in Turkey remained slightly less pessimistic in April. The consumer confidence index rose to 85.5 in April from 85.0 in March. Nonetheless, a score below 100 indicates a pessimistic outlook. The financial situation expectation of households over the next year improved, with the corresponding index rising to 87.5 from 85.6.
Sweden's jobless rate increased for the fourth straight month in March to the highest level in nearly a year. The unadjusted unemployment rate rose to 9.7 percent in March from 8.8 percent in February. Moreover, a similar inflation rate was last seen in May 2025. There were 564,900 unemployed people in March, up from 507,100 in the previous month.
Finland's unemployment rate increased further in March to the highest level in nearly eleven years. The unemployment rate in Finland rose to 11.1 percent in March from 10.9 percent in February. In the corresponding month last year, the jobless rate was 10.1 percent. here were 315,000 unemployed people in March, up from 312,000 in the previous month.
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.