Slovenia's industrial sentiment remained less negative in May. The manufacturing confidence rose to a 4-month high of -6 in May from -8 in the previous month. Among the components, the expected production and overall order book indicators improved, while the finished products stock indicator remained unchanged.
Poland's retail sales growth moderated in April after accelerating to the strongest level in nearly four years in March. At constant prices, retail sales advanced 1.3 percent annually in March, much slower than the 8.7 percent increase in March. Moreover, this was the weakest growth since the current sequence of increase began in April 2025.
Turkey's economic confidence remained less pessimistic in May. The economic sentiment index rose to 97.2 in May from 96.4 in April. However, any reading below 100 indicates a pessimistic outlook. Among components, morale for manufacturing strengthened to 101.0 from 98.6, and retail trade confidence rose to 112.5 from 111.6.
The Czech economy's confidence weakened further in May to the lowest level in nearly a year. The economic sentiment index dropped to 99.7 in May from 101.3 in April. Any score below 100 indicates a pessimistic outlook. Confidence among consumers decreased in April, with the consumer confidence index falling to 103.4 from 106.0 in April.
Finland's producer price inflation accelerated in April to the highest level in more than three years, led by higher prices of refined petroleum products and basic precious and other non-ferrous metals. The producer price index climbed 4.6 percent year-on-year in April, faster than the 2.6 percent rise in March. On a monthly basis, producer prices rebounded 1.2 percent.
Latvia's unemployment rate increased in the first quarter of 2025 after falling in the previous quarter. The jobless rate rose to 7.1 percent in the first quarter from 6.7 percent in the third quarter. The number of unemployed people increased to 66,400 in the March quarter from 63,800 in the preceding three-month period.
Poland's manufacturers expressed a less pessimistic attitude in May. The manufacturing confidence index rose to -4.1 in May from -4.4 in April. The indicator also improved from -9.2 in the corresponding month last year. Among other business climate indicators, the most significant upturn was noted in the accommodation and food service activities section.
The German economy expanded at a slightly faster pace in the first quarter, underpinned by consumption and exports, defying the adverse impact of the conflict in the Middle East. Germany's gross domestic product grew 0.3 percent from a quarter ago, unrevised from the previous estimate and followed the fourth quarter's 0.2 percent expansion, detailed data from Destatis showed Friday.
French manufacturing confidence improved further in May and remained above its long-term average. The manufacturing confidence index rose to 102.0 in May from 100.0 in April. The score was forecast to remain stable at 100.0. The increase in May mainly came from the further marked improvement in the balance of opinion on past production.
Ireland's wholesale prices increased for the first time in more than a year in April amid higher costs for energy fuels. Output prices in the manufacturing industry rose 1.4 percent year-over-year in April, reversing a 0.2 percent drop in March. All energy fuels were 42.3 percent higher compared to last year, the data highlighted.
The UK government's borrowing exceeded the official estimate and also hit the highest level for April since the COVID-19 pandemic, the Office for National Statistics reported Friday. The public sector borrowed GBP 24.3 billion in April compared to GBP 19.5 billion borrowing in the previous year. The...
German business sentiment improved in May after falling for two straight months but the index remained at a low level as energy shock triggered by the near closure of the Strait of Hormuz weigh on manufacturing, survey results from the ifo Institute showed Friday. The business climate index posted 84.9 in May, up from 84.5 in April. The reading was also above economists' forecast of 84.2.
Croatia's unemployment rate decreased for the third straight month in April to the lowest level in nearly a year. The registered jobless rate dropped to 3.8 percent in April from 4.3 percent in March. Moreover, a similar rate was last seen in June 2025. There were 67,521 unemployed people in April, down from 75,931 in the prior month.
UK retail sales declined at the fastest pace in nearly a year in April as consumers reduced fuel purchases after the outbreak of the conflict in the Middle East. A private survey today showed that British consumer sentiment improved in May but rising inflation and continued uncertainty around the interest rate raised concerns about the sustainability of this improvement.
Greece's current account deficit decreased in March, due to improvements mostly in the goods and services balance and the primary income account. The current account showed a deficit of EUR 2.3 billion in March, down from 3.3 billion in the corresponding month last year. The goods deficit narrowed to EUR 2.6 billion from EUR 3.2 billion as exports grew faster than imports.
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.