Consumer price inflation in Iceland moderated for the first time in five months in April. The consumer price index rose 5.2 percent year-on-year in April, slightly slower than the 5.4 percent rise in March. Inflation based on housing and utilities moderated to 6.7 percent from 6.9 percent. On a monthly basis, consumer prices climbed 0.8 percent.
Bulgaria's consumer price inflation accelerated in April to the highest level in more than two-and-a-half years. The consumer price index, or CPI, climbed 7.1 percent yearly in April, faster than the 4.1 percent rise in March. The rise in inflation was largely driven by a 20.3 percent jump in transportation costs amid higher oil and natural gas costs caused by the impact of the Middle East war.
German inflation accelerated in April fueled by higher energy prices, yet remained below expectations, flash estimate published by Destatis showed Wednesday. Consumer price inflation rose to 2.9 percent in April from 2.7 percent in March. Inflation was expected to rise to 3.0 percent. EU harmonized...
Sweden's economic sentiment weakened in April to the lowest level in seven months, while consumers expressed a more pessimistic outlook. The economic tendency index fell to 99.0 in April from 99.6 in March. Among components, sentiment is at a normal level across all sectors of the business sector, with the exception of retail trade.
Eurozone private sector credit logged a faster growth in March, the European Central Bank said Wednesday. Adjusted loans to the private sector increased 3.5 percent on a yearly basis in March, faster than the 3.3 percent rise in February. Within the non-financial private sector, loans to households...
Turkey's economic sentiment weakened further in April to the lowest level in nine months. The economic sentiment index dropped to 96.4 in April from 97.9 in March. Any reading below 100 indicates a pessimistic outlook. Among components, morale for the manufacturing weakened to 98.6 from 100.0, and services confidence eased to 109.7 from 113.2.
Euro area economic confidence deteriorated to the lowest level since November 2020, underscoring the rising concern about the strength of economic activity amid the intensifying price pressures and supply chain disruptions. The economic sentiment index dropped more-than-expected to 93.0 in April from 96.2 in the prior month, results of a monthly survey by the European Commission showed on Wednes
Belgium's economy grew at a slightly faster pace in the first quarter of 2026. Gross domestic product grew seasonally and calendar-adjusted 0.2 percent sequentially in the first quarter, following a 0.1 percent increase in the fourth quarter. The annual economic growth moderated to 0.8 percent in the first quarter from 0.9 percent in the final quarter of 2025.
Ireland's economy contracted for the second straight quarter in the three months ending in March. Gross domestic product fell a seasonally adjusted 2.0 percent sequentially in the first quarter, slower than the 3.8 percent expansion in the fourth quarter. The result was driven mainly by a fall in the multinational-dominated sector of industry.
Italy's consumer confidence decreased for the second straight month in April to the lowest level in more than three years. Consumer sentiment dropped to 90.8 in April from 92.6 in the previous month. A score below 100 indicates a pessimistic outlook. The composite business confidence indicator worsened to a 6-month low of 95.2 in April from 97.3 a month ago.
Spain's harmonized inflation accelerated in April due to higher energy prices amid the Iran war, flash data from the statistical office INE revealed Wednesday. The harmonized index of consumer prices posted an annual increase of 3.5 percent, which was faster than the 3.4 percent rise seen in March....
Norway's retail sales decreased for the second straight month in March, though marginally. The volume of retail dropped a seasonally adjusted 0.1 percent month-on-month in March, slower than the 1.1 percent decrease in February. The overall decrease was mainly driven by 8.8 percent lower sales in automotive fuel.
Estonia's retail sales growth rebounded at the end of the first quarter. The volume of retail sales climbed 6.9 percent annually in March, faster than the 4.8 percent increase in February. In January, sales growth was 8.2 percent. Retail sales of non-food products surged 10.1 percent from last year, and those of automotive fuel in specialized stores were 14.8 percent higher.
Sweden's economy contracted unexpectedly in the first quarter of 2026. Gross domestic product fell 0.2 percent sequentially in the first quarter, reversing a 0.5 percent rise in the fourth quarter. Further, this was the first decline since the second quarter of 2025. Retail sales grew at a faster pace of 6.2 percent annually in March, after a 2.2 percent gain in February.
Flash inflation from Germany and economic sentiment from the euro area are the top economic news due on Wednesday. At 3.00 am ET, Spain's statistical office INE publishes flash inflation data for April. Consumer price inflation is forecast to edge up to 3.5 percent from 3.4 percent in March.
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.