Belgium's consumer price inflation accelerated in May to the highest level in nearly one-and-a-half years amid higher energy costs. The consumer price index climbed 4.08 percent year-over-year in May, faster than the 4.01 percent rise in April. Inflation based on energy quickened to 11.2 percent from 10.6 percent in April. Fuel costs were 27.3 percent more expensive.
Ireland's retail sales decreased for the first time in thirteen months in April. The volume of retail sales dropped a seasonally adjusted 0.5 percent year-on-year in April, reversing a 0.9 percent increase in the previous month. The largest annual volume of decline was recorded in furniture and lighting, which fell by 10.3 percent.
Croatia's economy grew at the slowest pace in just over five years in the first quarter of this year amid a slower growth in consumption and investments as well as the slump in exports and imports, preliminary data from the Croatian Bureau of Statistics showed on Thursday. Gross domestic product rose...
Consumer price inflation in Iceland moderated slightly in May to the lowest level in five months. The consumer price index rose 5.1 percent year-on-year in May, slightly slower than the 5.2 percent rise in April. The CPI excluding housing costs was 4.6 percent higher than a year ago. The annual price growth for food and non-alcoholic beverages softened to 4.2 percent from 4.9percent.
Hungary's unemployment rate decreased during the February to April period. The unemployment rate stood at 4.5 percent in February to April, down from 4.7 percent in the January to March period. In the corresponding period last year, the jobless rate was 4.4 percent. The number of unemployed people was 218,500 compared to 226,400 in the previous three-month period.
Sweden's economic sentiment increased marginally in May, and consumers expressed a slightly less pessimistic outlook. The economic tendency index rose to 99.3 in May from 99.2 in April. However, the index remained fractionally below the normal level of 100. Confidence among consumers remained less pessimistic in May, with the respective index rising to 92.4 from 91.7 in April.
Italy's producer price inflation quickened further in April amid soaring energy costs. The producer price index climbed 6.8 percent year-over-year in April, faster than the 4.2 percent increase in March. The upward trend was driven by 22.8 percent higher costs for energy. On a monthly basis, producer prices increased 0.3 percent, slower than the 4.4 percent rebound in March.
Corrects headline and intro France's producer prices declined in April after a rebound in March, the statistical office INSEE said Thursday. Producer prices declined 2.1 percent on a monthly basis in April, following a 1.9 percent rise in March. Prices for mining and quarrying products, energy...
Spain's retail sales grew at the slowest pace since late 2024, the statistical office INE said Thursday. Retail sales increased 0.8 percent on a yearly basis in April, weaker than the 4.1 percent rise in March. This was the weakest growth since November 2024. On an unadjusted basis, retail sales...
Eurozone economic confidence improved unexpectedly in May on rising sentiment among consumers and service providers, survey results from the European Commission showed Thursday. The economic sentiment index rose to 93.5 in May from 93.2 in the previous month. The score was expected to fall to 92.8.
Cofidence among Italian households remaind less pessimistic in May, while business confidence decreased to the lowest level in eight months. Consumer sentiment rose to 93.4 in May from 90.8 in the previous month. However, a score below 100 indicates a pessimistic outlook. The composite business confidence indicator worsened to an 8-month low of 94.1 in May from 95.1 a month ago.
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.
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...
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.