The UK service sector growth accelerated in April despite headwinds arising from the Middle East conflict, final survey data from S&P Global showed Wednesday. The services Purchasing Managers' Index rose to 52.7 in April from March's 11-month low of 50.5. The flash reading was 52.0. The index has...
Eurozone producer prices increased in March due to a strong rebound in energy prices, Eurostat said Wednesday. Producer prices grew 3.4 percent on a monthly basis, reversing a 0.6 percent fall in the prior month. The rate exceeded economists' expectations of 3.3 percent. Excluding energy, producer...
Hungary's industrial production expanded at the fastest pace in three-and-a-half years. The volume of industrial production surged an unadjusted 6.7 percent annually in March, reversing a 0.9 percent decrease in February. Moreover, this was the quickest growth since September 2022, when production jumped 12.3 percent.
Euro area private sector contracted for the first time in nearly one-and-a--half years as the ongoing war in the Middle East acted as a drag on services activity, final results of the purchasing managers' survey by S&P Global showed on Wednesday. The composite output index fell to 48.8 in April from 50.7 in the previous month. The reading was moderately above the flash estimate of 48.6.
The Czech Republic's consumer price inflation accelerated as expected in April to the highest level in six months. Consumer prices climbed 2.5 percent year-over-year in April, faster than the 1.9 percent increase in March. Moreover, a similar inflation rate was last seen in October 2025. Energy prices rose 1.5 percent annually in April versus a 1.7 percent fall a month ago.
Sweden's service activity expanded at a slower pace in April amid inflationary pressures caused by the Middle East war along with uncertain global environment. The purchasing managers' index, or PMI, for the services sector dropped to 52.5 in April from 55.9 in March. The sub-index for new orders accounted for the largest negative contribution to the decline in the PMI services.
France's industrial production rebounded at a stronger-than-expected pace in March, data from the statistical office INSEE showed Wednesday. Industrial output grew 1.0 percent on a monthly basis in March, reversing a 0.9 percent drop in February. Production was expected to grow 0.5 percent. Similarly,...
Italy's retail sales increased at the fastest pace in nearly a year in March after a slight decline in February. The sales value rose 0.8 on a monthly basis in March, reversing a revised 0.1 percent drop in February. Sales of food products rebounded 0.9 percent monthly in March, and those of non-food products increased by 0.7 percent.
Russia's service sector activity deteriorated for the second straight month in April amid a renewed fall in new business. The services purchasing managers' index, or PMI, rose to 49.7 in April from 49.5 in March. Nonetheless, any score below 50 suggests contraction in the sector. The sustained contraction in April was attributed to weak client demand and a reduction in new orders.
Sweden's consumer prices decreased for the first time in six years in April amid a sharp fall in food costs. The consumer price index, or CPI, dropped 0.1 percent year-over-year in April, reversing March's increase of 0.5 percent. Further, this was the first decrease since April 2020. On a monthly basis, consumer prices decreased 0.6 percent.
Final composite Purchasing Managers' survey results from the euro area and the UK are due on Wednesday, headlining a busy day for the European economic news. At 2.45 am ET, France's statistical office INSEE publishes industrial production data for March. Economists forecast industrial output to grow 0.5 percent on a monthly basis in March, in contrast to the 0.7 percent fall in February.
UK car registrations are expected to hit two million this year, reflecting improving confidence in the market despite weaker expectations for electric vehicle demand, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders said Tuesday. Total new car registrations are expected to rise 3.6 percent to 2.093...
Spain unemployment declined sharply in April and unemployment among young people logged a historic low, the labor ministry reported Tuesday. The number of unemployed declined 62,668 in April from the previous month to 2.36 million.
Switzerland's consumer price inflation accelerated for the second straight month in April to the highest level in more than a year. The consumer price index climbed 0.6 percent on a yearly basis in April, faster than March's increase of 0.3 percent. Moreover, a similar inflation rate was last seen in December 2024. Costs for housing and energy were 1.5 percent higher compared to last year.
Portugal's industrial production expanded strongly after a renewed decline in the previous month. Industrial production advanced 3.2 percent year-on-year in March, reversing a 3.9 percent fall in February. Moreover, this was the quickest growth in seven months. Production of capital goods recovered sharply by 6.4 percent from last year
May 08, 2026 15:50 ET Manufacturing and services sector survey results and labor market data from main economies were the highlight on the economics news front this week. Factory orders and jobs report dominated the news flow in the U.S. Similarly, industrial production data from German garnered attention in Europe. In Asia, purchasing managers’ survey results from China and the central bank decision from Australia were in focus.