News/Event
Consumer prices in Fiji dropped 0.85% year-on-year in March 2026, following a 0.5% decline in February.It marked the third straight month of deflation mainly due to lower food and non-alcoholic beverage prices (-1.9% vs -1.5% in February).Downward price pressures were also seen in transport (-8.8…
Australia’s goods exports grew 4.9% mom to a four-month high of AUD 45.65 billion in February 2026, recovering from an upwardly revised 1.6% fall in the previous month.Rural exports rose 13.9% to AUD 7.35 billion, supported by sharp rises in meat and meat preparations (26.8%), other rural goods (15…
Australia’s goods trade surplus increased to AUD 5.69 billion in February 2026 from a downwardly revised AUD 2.58 billion in the previous month, above market expectations of an AUD 2.6 billion surplus.It marked the largest trade surplus since July 2025 as exports grew while imports fell.Exports ro…
Australia’s goods imports dropped 3.2% mom to a seven-month low of AUD 39.96 billion in February 2026, reversing an upwardly revised 1.0% growth in the prior month, amid weaker domestic demand and uncertainty in global trade flows due to geopolitical risks.Purchases of capital goods tumbled 8.1% to…
British business confidence has fallen as the Iran war exacerbates worries among employers about costs, according to a survey of accountants that chimed with similar concerns from other groups since the start of the U.S.-Israeli attacks.The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales sa…
The GBP/USD pair meets fresh supply during the Asian session on Thursday. It retreats further from the weekly high, which was around the 1.3345 area touched the previous day. Spot prices decline to the mid-1.3200s after US President Donald Trump's comments.
The USD/JPY pair gains momentum to near 159.20 during the Asian trading hours on Thursday. The US Dollar (USD) strengthens against the Japanese Yen (JPY) following US President Donald Trump’s speech from the White House.
AUD/USD depreciates after two days of gains, trading around 0.6900 during the Asian hours on Thursday.
West Texas Intermediate (WTI) Crude Oil prices catch aggressive bids during the Asian session on Thursday and surge past the $97.00 mark as US President Donald Trump's prime-time address gets underway.
The People’s Bank of China (PBOC) sets the USD/CNY central rate for the trading session ahead on Thursday at 6.8880 compared to the previous day's fix of 6.9025 and 6.8764 Reuters estimate.
US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that Iran's ability to launch missiles and drones has been curtailed. Trump added that the US does't need oil from the Middle East.
The EUR/USD pair holds steady around 1.1590 during the early Asian session on Thursday. Markets turn cautious ahead of US President Donald Trump’s address on the Iran war. The US weekly Initial Jobless Claims report is due later on Thursday.
Australia Imports (MoM) fell from previous 0.8% to -3.2% in February
Australia Exports (MoM) rose from previous -0.9% to 4.9% in January
Australia Trade Balance (MoM) came in at 5686M, above forecasts (2500M) in February
Japan Monetary Base (YoY) declined to -11.6% in March from previous -10.6%
By Shariq Khan U.S. refined products exports hit a record high in March as the Iran war left Europe, Asia and Africa scrambling to fill supply shortfalls created by the near-complete closure of the Strait of Hormuz.Iran has been disrupting shipping in the strait, through which oil and fuel expor…
HEADLINESManufacturing Sector Activity Subdued in March With PMI Slipping to 50Activity among Canadian manufacturers took a step back last month, with dips in new orders and production along with some signs supply chains have been disrupted by the Iran war, data showed.The S&P Global Canada manufac…
Wall Street ended higher on Wednesday, extending a two-day rally as investors grew increasingly optimistic that the US-Iran conflict could be nearing an end. Gains were led by technology heavyweights, while oil prices declined sharply, reflecting easing concerns over supply disruptions.The S&P 500…
Japan Foreign Investment in Japan Stocks: ¥-4B (March 27) vs ¥-2509.7B
US President Donald Trump will address the nation at 01:00 GMT on Thursday to give an “update” on the war with Iran, CNN reported. The speech will be the first major national address the president has delivered on the conflict since the first joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran in late February.
By Curtis Williams U.S. exports of liquefied natural gas rose to an all‑time high in March as plants ran above nameplate capacity and new units started up, preliminary data from financial firm LSEG showed.Shipments to Asia more than doubled from the previous month amid the ongoing conflict in th…
Gold price (XAU/USD) extends the rally to near $4,775 during the early Asian session on Thursday. The precious metal surges amid a weakening US Dollar (USD) and cooling geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
ING economist Min Joo Kang highlights that South Korea’s 1Q26 GDP is set to rebound on strong chip-led exports and recovering investment, but trims the 2026 GDP forecast to 2.0% from 2.2%.
Global markets on Wednesday reacted to renewed geopolitical tensions after Donald Trump’s comments on Iran, while Bitcoin moved higher on improving risk sentiment. At the same time, SpaceX’s reported IPO filing boosted optimism around the space sector, and fresh US private hiring data pointed to a…
Standard Chartered’s Edward Lee and Jonathan Koh expect the Monetary Authority of Singapore to steepen the SGD NEER slope by 50bps in April, partially reversing pre-emptive easing from H1-2025 while keeping the band unchanged.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics will publish its data for February on Thursday at 00.30 GMT. Australia’s Trade Surplus is expected to narrow to 2,500M MoM in February, compared to 2,631M in January.
The GBP/JPY edges higher by nearly 0.60% on Wednesday as the market mood improved amid speculation of a possible end to Iran’s war. Although the pair found support at the 100-day Simple Moving Average (SMA) at 210.08, sentiment remains fragile amid geopolitical uncertainty.
--ISM’s Spence: New Orders Creeping Back Down Toward Neutral, Widespread Price Hikes ‘Very Concerning’(MaceNews) - U.S. manufacturing activity expanded for the third straight month in March, emerging from the tariff-triggered doldrums of 2025, but the outlook has been clouded further by the lingeri…
DBS Group Research economist Chua Han Teng highlights that Malaysian financial markets, including the Ringgit (MYR) and benchmark equities, have held up year-to-date thanks to resilient macroeconomic conditions and capital inflows.
USD/JPY closed next to flat on Wednesday, settling around 158.70 after a subdued session that followed two straight days of declines from the 160.40 area. The pair remains caught in congestion near 159.00, with price chopping between the recent swing high above 160.00 and support around 158.00.
AUD/USD gained around a third of a percent on Wednesday, bouncing from the 0.6900 handle before fading back below 0.6950.
By Ann SaphirThe interest rate on the most popular U.S. home loan jumped last week to its highest level since August, as rising oil prices fueled inflation fears and drove up yields on the Treasury bonds that lenders widely use as benchmarks for setting mortgage rates.The Mortgage Bankers Associati…
TD Securities’ Alex Loo and Jayati Bharadwaj argue that Asia faces a dual shock from higher Oil prices and rapidly depleting inventories, hitting growth and lifting inflation. They see Asian central banks prioritizing growth, limiting rate hikes.
Silver price (XAG/USD) fails to gain traction, consolidates around $75.00 on Wednesday as US Treasury yields pared losses, while the white metal failed to surpass key resistance at the 20-day SMA at $76.90. At the time of writing, XAG/USD trades at $75.07, virtually unchanged.
Tesla shares rose 2.6% to $381.52 in early trading on Wednesday, tracking a broader market rally.The S&P 500 advanced around 1%, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.9%. The Nasdaq Composite rose 1.6%.Markets moved higher as oil prices declined and expectations grew that the US-Iran conf…
INSIDE THE "HIGH-REVISION REGIME" DISTORTING THE US LABOR MARKETU.S. labor market data is central to Federal Reserve policy and a cornerstone of macro analysis. But a troubling pattern has emerged over the past few years: payroll numbers keep getting revised lower, and by a lot.Ryan Kimmel, a macro…
BNY’s Geoff Yu highlights Latin America as the most resilient region across assets, with regional currencies overheld and equities attracting net inflows despite broader risk-off conditions.
US Treasury yields recover across the curve, with the 10-year Treasury note erasing earlier losses after strong US economic data increased the odds of keeping interest rates unchanged throughout the year.
US investment advisers are warning clients of a broadening set of risks heading into the second quarter, citing hotter inflation, mounting geopolitical tensions and emerging strains in the private credit market, after the S&P 500 posted its worst quarterly performance since 2022, Reuters reported…
Tesla shares rose 2.6% to $381.52 in early trading on Wednesday, tracking a broader market rally.The S&P 500 advanced around 1%, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.9%. The Nasdaq Composite rose 1.6%.Markets moved higher as oil prices declined and expectations grew that the US-Iran conf…
Solana-based decentralized exchange Drift Protocol (DRIFT) is experiencing an exploit on Wednesday that has seen attackers siphon over $285 million from the platform. That figure represents more than 50% of its total value locked (TVL), according to DefiLlama data.
JP Morgan has scaled back its expectations for Bank of England rate hikes this year, citing recent comments from Governor Andrew Bailey that suggested financial markets may be overestimating the need for tighter monetary policy.The US bank now expects just one rate increase in 2026, compared with i…
ING’s Min Joo Kang expects the Bank of Korea (BoK) to stay focused on inflation stabilisation and financial stability as resilient growth combines with rising price pressures.
By Patrick SullivanU.S. retail sales rose 0.6% in February from January, falling inside a range of Wall Street Journal historical forecasts for the indicator.Excluding motor vehicles, the Commerce Department reported retail sales rose 0.5% in February from the prior month, also inside a range of Jo…
Italy posted a state sector budget deficit of 32.8 billion euros ($38.09 billion) in March compared to a shortfall of 24.59 billion euros in the same month last year, the Treasury said in a statement on Wednesday.($1 = 0.8610 euros)
Commerzbank notes Bank Negara Malaysia raised its 2026 growth forecast to 4.0–5.0% on resilient domestic demand, with consumption and investment underpinned by wages, labour market strength and government support.
By Justin LahartFactories are getting worried about inflation all over again.The Institute for Supply Management on Wednesday said that its index of manufacturing activity edged up to 52.7 in March from 52.4 in February. Anything over 50 indicates expansion.But the details of the report were a litt…
Gold (XAU/USD) price rallies for a fourth straight day on Wednesday, hitting a two-week high near $4,800 as the Greenback depreciates amid growing speculation of an end to the Middle East conflict. At the time of writing, the XAU/USD pair trades at $4,758, up nearly 2%.
Standard Chartered economists Hunter Chan and Shuang Ding expect China’s Q1 2026 GDP growth to have accelerated to 4.8% year-on-year, supported by robust exports and recovering investment.
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis President Alberto Musalem said Wednesday the energy shock tied to the Iran war will definitely impact overall inflation and will likely hit core price pressures as well.“My expectation is that headline inflation is going to be affected one for one” by the surge in…
The ISM Manufacturing PMI for the US increased to 52.7 in March 2026 from 52.4 in February and above forecasts of 52.5.The reading pointed to the strongest growth in factory activity since August 2022, led by a faster increase in production (55.1 vs 53.5) while new orders slowed (53.5 vs 55.8) and…
U.S. exports of petroleum products last week rose to their highest on record, data from the Energy Information Administration showed on Wednesday.Petroleum product exports climbed by 302,000 barrels per day (bpd) to 7.9 million bpd in the week to March 27, EIA said.
The Canadian 10-year government bond yield stabilized near 3.47% on Wednesday as traders weighed tentative signs of a resolution to the Middle East conflict against increasingly hawkish expectations for the US Fed.This stabilization followed a significant rise in global yields during March amid fea…
By Robb M. StewartActivity among Canadian manufacturers took a step back last month, with dips in new orders and production along with some signs supply chains have been disrupted by the Iran war, data showed Wednesday.The S&P Global Canada manufacturing purchasing managers index slipped in March t…
By Michael S. DerbyThe Middle East war that’s driven a sharp rise in energy prices and roiled critical supply chains appears on track to hit headline inflation, with a smaller impact on underlying price pressures, the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland said in updated data Wednesday.The bank’s nowca…
MUFG’s Senior Currency Analyst Michael Wan notes that Asian currencies recovered as risk sentiment improved following comments from US President Trump on ending the Iran war, even as Oil prices stayed elevated.
By Ed FranklU.S. business inventories inched lower in January, according to Commerce Department figures published Wednesday.Inventories fell 0.1% in the month, from flat growth in December that was revised down from growth of 0.1%, the data showed. A consensus of economists polled by The Wall Stree…
The S&P Global US Manufacturing PMI held at 52.3 in March 2026, slightly below the preliminary estimate of 52.4 but up from 51.6 in February.The reading signals solid expansion in the sector, driven by stronger output and new orders, particularly from domestic demand, as businesses stockpiled suppl…
The Canadian dollar rebounded to 1.39 per US dollar as a pullback in the greenback and hopes for a Middle East ceasefire offset signs of cooling domestic activity.The loonie found relief after touching its lowest levels since December as the US dollar index dropped on signals that the US aims to re…
By Ed FranklU.S. business inventories inched lower in January, according to Commerce Department figures published Wednesday.Inventories fell 0.1% in the month, from flat growth in December that was revised down from growth of 0.1%, the data showed. A consensus of economists polled by The Wall Stree…
By Robb M. StewartActivity among Canadian manufacturers took a step back last month, with dips in new orders and production along with some signs supply chains have been disrupted by the Iran war, data showed Wednesday.The S&P Global Canada manufacturing purchasing managers index slipped in March t…
DBS Group Research’s Radhika Rao highlights India’s fiscal response to elevated global energy prices and Rupee weakness.
The S&P Global Canada Manufacturing PMI fell to 50.0 in March 2026 from 51.0 in the previous month signalling a stagnation of manufacturing sector performance and ending a two-month period of improvement.Output declined for the first time in 2026 as new order volumes returned to contraction with hi…
USD/JPY trades in a narrow range on Wednesday, as the Japanese Yen (JPY) struggles to capitalize on a softer US Dollar (USD). At the time of writing, the pair is trading around 158.50 after retreating from the 160.00 handle touched earlier this week.
Australia’s Cotality Home Value Index increased by 0.6% in March 2026, down from a 0.7% rise the previous month.This slowdown reflects shifting expectations of further interest rate hikes, which have tempered price growth and reduced market activity.The cooldown was most pronounced in Sydney and Me…
US stocks opened higher on Wednesday, extending momentum from the previous session’s sharp rally, as investors grew increasingly hopeful that the conflict between the United States and Iran could be nearing an end.Markets were buoyed by comments from Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio…
DXY fell more than 0.5% on Wednesday, drifting into session lows around 99.30 after opening close to 99.90. The index has been under steady selling pressure all session, carving a series of lower highs on the intraday chart as the ceasefire narrative gained traction.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed around 400 points on Wednesday, or roughly 0.9%, as equities extended their rally into a second session on growing hopes that an end to the US-Iran conflict may be in sight.
US equity futures eased from session highs on Wednesday after President Trump threatened to escalate the was should Iran continue to target vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.Contracts for the S&P 500, Dow, and Nasdaq 100 gained around 0.8%.The President stated that Iran asked for a ceasefire, but not…
Private sector job growth in the US came in slightly stronger than expected in March, though hiring remained narrowly concentrated in a handful of industries, pointing to an uneven labour market as economic uncertainties persist.Data released by ADP showed that private payrolls increased by 62,000…
No ally was consulted before the bombs dropped on Iran. Five weeks later, Trump is demanding those same allies help him fix a war they wanted no part of and threatening to dismantle the alliance when they say no.The story of the US and its partners since February 28 is not just about Iran. It is ab…
The yield on the US 10-year Treasury note was little changed at 4.31% at the start of April, after rising nearly 37bps in March, as traders weighed tentative signs that the war with Iran could be nearing an end.President Trump said he expected the conflict to conclude within 2 to 3 weeks, later add…
Shares of Walt Disney rose modestly on Wednesday in pre-market trading as analysts turned more constructive on the media and entertainment giant, arguing that its current valuation presents an attractive entry point despite ongoing macroeconomic and operational challenges.Raymond James upgraded Dis…
By Patrick SullivanU.S. retail sales rose 0.6% in February from January, falling inside a range of Wall Street Journal historical forecasts for the indicator.Excluding motor vehicles, the Commerce Department reported retail sales rose 0.5% in February from the prior month, also inside a range of Jo…
By Jeffry BartashThe economy was expanding at a decent speed, but the Mideast conflict poses another big challengePeople walk past a retail store in Miami. Retailers saw an increase in traffic and sales in February.Sales at U.S. retailers bounced back in February after a brief weak spell, suggestin…
The US Dollar (USD) kept its bearish impulse well in place for the second day in a row on Wednesday, this time retreating from recent multi-month tops on the back of the marked improvement in the risk-associated universe and rising hopes of a potential end to the conflict in the Middle East sooner r
AUD/USD advances on Wednesday and trades around 0.6940 at the time of writing, up 0.56% on the day. The pair rebounds, supported by improving risk sentiment that weighs on the US Dollar (USD).
Private businesses in the US added a net 62,000 jobs in March of 2026, extending the upwardly revised 66,000 in February and above market expectations of a 40,000 increase.The result held signs of resilience in the labor market per the latest leading indicators, despite economic uncertainty and the…
Retail sales in the US jumped 0.6% month-over-month in February 2026, rebounding from a 0.1% drop in January and above forecasts of a 0.5% gain.It is the strongest performance in seven months, with sales rising the most at department stores (3%), health and personal care stores (2.3%), clothing (2…
US equity futures were firmly higher on Wednesday, extending the surge from the previous session as signs that the US and Iran could reach a deal to end the war eased stagflation concerns.Contracts for the S&P 500, Dow, and Nasdaq 100 gained around 0.8%.President Trump signaled that the US was clos…
April 1 (Reuters) - For Commerce Department seasonally adjusted data on U.S. retail sales, see:https://www.census.gov/retail/marts/www/marts_current.pdf((Washington newsroom))
U.S. retail sales increased solidly in February as motor vehicle purchases rebounded and temperatures warmed up, but surging gasoline prices because of war in the Middle East could crimp spending in the months ahead.Retail sales rose 0.6% after a revised 0.1% dip in January, the Commerce Department…
By Harriet TorrySales at retailers increased at a solid pace in February, the Commerce Department said Wednesday, driven by strong spending on vehicles, clothing, and at personal care stores.Retail sales, a measure of spending at stores, online and in restaurants, rose 0.6% from the prior month.Eco…
By Jeffry BartashEconomy is expanding at a decent speedPeople walk past a retail store in Miami.Sales at U.S. retailers bounced back in February after a brief weak spell, suggesting the economy is still expanding at decent speed despite a turbulent start to the new year.Retail sales rose 0.6% in Fe…
By David Milliken and Phoebe SeersBank of England Governor Andrew Bailey said on Wednesday that markets were still getting ahead of themselves by pricing in interest rate hikes by the central bank in response to the hit to the British economy from the Iran war.Bailey, speaking to Reuters at the ce…
April 1 (Reuters) - For Commerce Department seasonally adjusted data on U.S. retail sales, see:https://www.census.gov/retail/marts/www/marts_current.pdf((Washington newsroom))
The Pound Sterling advances over 0.70% on Wednesday as risk appetite improved amid speculation of an end to the Middle East conflict, following US President Trump's statement, "We're going to be out of Iran pretty quickly." The GBP/USD trades above 1.3300 after bouncing off daily lows of 1.3216.
The interest rate on the most popular U.S. home loan jumped last week to the highest since August, as rising oil prices from the U.S. and Israeli war on Iran fueled inflation fears and drove up yields on the Treasury bonds that lenders widely use as benchmarks for setting mortgage rates.The Mortgag…
Industrial production in North Macedonia fell by 4.2% year-on-year in February 2026, easing from a 6.6% decline in January.Energy output declined 19%, reversing a 2.5% increase in the previous month.Output of durable consumer goods declined further (-12% versus -10.5%), while non-durable consumer g…
The average US 30-year fixed mortgage rate for conforming loans of $806,500 or less increased for a fourth consecutive week to 6.57% for the week ending March 27th, 2026, reaching its highest level since the last week of August, compared to 6.43% in the previous week.Mortgage rates climbed as Treas…
Mortgage applications in the US sank by 10.4% from the previous week on the period ending March 27th, extending the 10.5% drop in the earlier period, according to data compiled by the Mortgage Bankers Association.It was the third consecutive slump above the 10% threshold as benchmark mortgage rates…
Tesla stock NASDAQ:TSLA remained in focus as new car registrations in France more than tripled in March, rising to 9,569 vehicles, a 203.10% year-on-year increase and just below the all-time high of 9,572 set in December 2023, according to data from French auto body PFA.France is the first European…
Russia’s S&P Global Manufacturing PMI fell to 48.3 in March from 49.5, marking the lowest since December and a tenth straight month of drop in factory activity.Output declined at the sharpest pace in three months, while new orders shrank the most since last October.Foreign demand remained weak, tho…
US stock futures edged higher on Wednesday, a day after markets recorded their biggest one-day gain in nearly a year, as reports suggested the war with Iran could be nearing an end.Global shares rose, oil prices declined and the dollar rebounded as signs emerged of a potential easing of hostilities…
Ireland’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased to 4.7% in March 2026, up from 4.6% in February and 4.5% a year earlier.The total number of unemployed people reached 140,000, a rise of 1,100 from the previous month.Female unemployment grew by 2,100 to 66,100, while male unemployment fell…
European equity markets were poised for a higher open on Wednesday, following a rally in global markets as risk sentiment improved after US President Donald Trump said military operations in Iran could wrap up within two to three weeks.While the remarks suggest the US may have largely achieved its…
Romania’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate stood at 6% in February 2026, unchanged from the previous month, holding at its lowest level since September 2025 over the recent two-month period.The number of unemployed persons rose by 4.2 thousand month-on-month to 494.7 thousand, while it decline…
The Czech Manufacturing PMI rose to 52.8 in March 2026 from 50 in February, surpassing market expectations of 50.The latest data pointed to the strongest improvement in operating conditions since April 2022, with new orders expanding at the quickest pace since February 2022, driven by both domestic…
The S&P Global Greece Manufacturing PMI edged up to 54.5 in March 2026 from 54.4 in the previous month.This marked the highest reading since August 2025, supported by continued growth in both output and new orders, which have risen in tandem every month since November 2024 amid resilient domestic d…
The S&P Global Italy Manufacturing PMI rose to 51.3 in March 2026 from 50.6 in the prior month and above market forecasts of 50.9.While signaling only a modest improvement in operating conditions, the reading marked the strongest performance in over three years.Output increased for the second conse…
The S&P Global Germany Manufacturing PMI was revised sharply higher to 52.2 in March 2026 from a preliminary of 51.7 and compared to 50.9 in February.The reading pointed to the strongest growth in the manufacturing sector since May 2022, with output and new orders both seeing stronger rates of grow…
The S&P Global Eurozone Manufacturing PMI rose to 51.6 in March 2026, up from both the preliminary estimate of 51.4 and February’s 50.8.This marks the strongest expansion in the sector since June 2022, amid a considerable supply-side disruption as the war in the Middle East disrupted global logisti…
Wall Street closed sharply higher on Tuesday, buoyed by growing speculation that the conflict between the United States and Iran could de-escalate, easing pressure on energy markets and global inflation expectations.All three major US indexes rallied after a report indicated that Donald Trump is wi…
Major central banks are unlikely to cut rates this year, according to Capital Economics. In its baseline scenario, CE says it still doubts any major central bank will ease this year as energy prices likely remain high and the European Central Bank may even hike interest rates. U.S. Treasury yields…
The seasonally adjusted number of total dwellings approved in Australia surged 29.7% month-on-month to a near five-year high of 19,022 units in February 2026, reversing a 7.2% drop in the previous month, preliminary data showed.It was the first rise in permits aince November, as approvals for priva…
Lloyds share price jumped by over 4% on Wednesday as British stocks rebounded, with the FTSE 100 Index rising by over 1.8%. It jumped to 96.10p, up by 10% from its lowest point in March. So, will the stock continue rising in April?Lloyds Bank to publish its earnings in April LLOY share price will b…
Global markets and geopolitics remain in focus on Wednesday as tensions around the Iran conflict continue to shape investor sentiment.US President Donald Trump has hinted at a possible end to the war, even as Washington prepares for his formal national address.Oil prices remain volatile, while tech…
EU lawmakers in China on Tuesday called on the country to improve product safety and increase market access during their first visit in eight years.This week, a delegation of EU lawmakers is visiting several of the country’s biggest e-commerce platforms, including those linked to billionaire Jack M…
By Raechel Thankam Job British homebuilder Berkeley LSE:BKG forecast that profit growth would slow through 2030 and said it would halt land purchases as the Middle East conflict and the risk of higher interest rates dampen hopes of a housing market recovery, sending its shares down nearly 19%. B…
Romania is on track to meet its 6.2% of GDP deficit target for this year despite the war in Iran, but it will need to adjust its growth assumptions if the conflict lasts much longer, Finance Minister Alexandru Nazare said on Wednesday.The country is trying to lower its budget deficit from over 9% o…
Greece’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose to 8.5% in February 2026, following an upwardly revised 7.9% in the previous two months.This marked the highest reading since October 2025, as the number of unemployed individuals climbed by 32 thousand month-on-month, bringing the total to 410.5…
March PMI data revealed initial signs of the impact of the war in the Middle East across Asean economies, says Maryam Baluch at S&P Global Market Intelligence. The fallout was visible in demand, production and confidence, the economist says. The headline Asean manufacturing PMI reading remained in…
Private house approvals in Australia grew 0.2% month-on-month to 9,847 units in February 2026, preliminary estimates showed, following an upwardly revised 1.7% rise in the previous month.This was the fourth consecutive monthly increase, highlighting continued demand for detached housing.Approvals…
The Euro Area seasonally adjusted unemployment rate edged up to 6.2% in February 2026 from the all-time low of 6.1% in January, against market expectations that it would stay at 6.1%.The number of unemployed rose by 93,000 from the prior month to 10.919 million.Meanwhile, the youth unemployment rat…
The New Zealand dollar rose to $0.576, extending its rebound from a four-month low as sentiment improved after the US indicated that the Middle East could end soon.President Trump said the US military operations in Iran could conclude within two or three weeks, with or without an agreement, adding…
The NZX 50 rose 33 points, or 0.3%, to 12,945 in Wednesday morning’s trading, marking a second straight gain, following a sharp rebound in Wall Street overnight amid renewed Middle East de-escalation hopes.The US market rebounded after the Iranian President said he was open to negotiations with the…
The HALPIM Manufacturing PMI fell to 50.4 in March 2026 from a downwardly revised 51.2 in the previous month and remained below its long-term monthly average of 52.6.Growth remained uneven across components, as new orders and production continued to expand but at a slower pace, while employment and…
Romania is on track to meet its 6.2% of GDP deficit target in the first quarter despite the war in Iran but it will likely need to adjust its growth assumptions if the war lasts much longer, finance minister Alexandru Nazare said on Wednesday. The European Union needs common instruments to treat th…
Sweden’s Swedbank Manufacturing PMI rose to 56.3 in March 2026 from 56.0 in February, remaining above its long-term average for the ninth consecutive month.This marks the highest reading since March 2022, supported by higher employment (57.9 vs 54.9 in February) and inventory purchases (51.4 vs 53…
Retail sales in Switzerland rose by 0.9% year-on-year in February 2026, rebounding from a downwardly revised 0.6% fall in the previous month.Turnover in the non-food sector excluding fuel recovered, rising 2.8% after a 1% drop in January, driven mainly by higher sales of other goods (5% vs -1.3%) a…
Greek manufacturing activity grew at the fastest pace since August 2025 in March as new orders expanded, but the sector was hit by soaring input costs linked to the Middle East conflict, a business survey showed on Wednesday.The seasonally adjusted S&P Global Greece Manufacturing Purchasing Manager…
The British pound edged up toward $1.33, moving away from recent four-month lows, as optimism grew over a potential near-term resolution to the Iran conflict.The modest recovery follows a volatile March, when sterling fell 1.9% against the USD, its worst monthly drop since July 2025, amid escalatin…
Austria’s unemployment rate rose to 7.5% in March 2026, edging up from 7.4% a year earlier and marking the lowest level in four months.The total number of unemployed persons increased by 6,380 year-on-year to 322,727.Among them, the female jobless rate rose by 0.3 percentage points to 7.1%, with 14…
The Istanbul Chamber of Industry Türkiye Manufacturing PMI fell to 47.9 in March 2026 from 49.3 in February.This marked the lowest reading since October 2025, due to sharper slowdowns in both total new orders and export orders amid weaker demand caused by the war in the Middle East. Output also dec…
France’s S&P Global Manufacturing PMI slipped to 50.0 in March 2026 from 50.1 in February, revising lower from initial estimates of 50.2, signaling broadly stagnant conditions.Factory output fell for the first time in 2026, dragged down by weaker domestic and export demand, while new orders dropped…
Staff WriterEgypt’s engineering exports reached a record high in February 2026, marking the strongest monthly performance in the sector’s history, according to the Engineering Export Council (EEC).The surge underscores the growing global competitiveness of Egyptian industry despite persistent econo…
Poland’s S&P Global Manufacturing PMI rose to 48.7 in March 2026 from 47.1 in February, surpassing market expectations of 47.1, and pointing to a slower deterioration in business conditions.The improvement was supported by an increase in manufacturing output, the first rise since April 2025, and so…
Switzerland’s procure.ch and UBS Manufacturing PMI rose sharply to 53.3 in March 2026 from 47.4 in the previous month, well above market expectations of 47.0 and signaling a return to expansion for the first time since December 2022.The reading also marked the highest level recorded since that peri…
The AIB Ireland Manufacturing PMI increased to 53.7 in March 2026 from February’s 53.1, marking the highest reading since June 2025.The improvement was supported by stronger order books, amid the fastest rise in export sales in just over four years.Output growth accelerated despite challenges from…
France’s 10-year OAT yield edged down toward 3.6%, retreating from multi-year highs, as rising hopes for a quick resolution to the Iran conflict alleviated worries about spiraling energy prices and aggressive ECB rate increases.US President Donald Trump’s remark that the US could leave Iran "in two…
The unemployment rate in Italy edged up to 5.3% in February 2026 from an upwardly revised 5.2% in January, which was the lowest level on record.The latest figure came in line with market expectations.The number of unemployed individuals rose by 36 thousand month-on-month, reaching 1.36 million.Mean…
Italy’s 10-year BTP yield dropped to 3.8%, pulling back from over two-year peaks, as optimism over a potential near-term resolution to the Iran conflict reduced fears of surging energy costs and steep ECB rate increases.US President Donald Trump’s suggestion that the US could exit Iran "in two or t…
Germany’s 10-year Bund yield fell to 2.96%, retreating from recent multi-year highs, as growing hopes for a swift end to the Iran conflict eased concerns over soaring energy prices and aggressive ECB rate hikes.US President Donald Trump’s statement that the US could withdraw from Iran "in two or th…
Czech manufacturing expanded at its fastest pace in almost four years in March while Polish factory output rose for the first time in a year, according to surveys on Wednesday showing firms still optimistic despite threats from the Middle East conflict.Tensions in the Middle East since the United S…
The Bank of Jamaica maintained its policy rate at 5.50% during its March meeting as the inflation outlook became subject to a high degree of uncertainty stemming from the conflict in the Middle East. The central bank noted that while annual inflation remained at 3.9% in February sharp increases in…
The Ai Group Industry Index for Australia’s manufacturing sector fell to -27.9 in March marking its sharpest monthly drop since April 2020.Manufacturing trends remained weak as customer confidence and intensifying costs from fuel and freight weighed on output while inventory building offered only p…
Average annual inflation in Poland is expected at 2.9% in 2026, slowing to 2.7% in 2027 and easing further to 2.6% in 2028, according to forecasts published on Wednesday in the National Bank of Poland’s (NBP) macroeconomic survey.The central bank said the probability ranges around the inflation for…
The Australian Industry Index fell 19.9 points to -23.6 in March as the energy crisis hit.The indicator reversed its 2026 recovery with the steepest monthly fall in the series.Domestic demand weakened amid Middle East conflict uncertainty while rising fuel costs and supply chain disruptions weighed…
The S&P Global Australia Manufacturing PMI dropped below the 50.0 no-change mark to 49.8 in March 2026 from 51.0 in February, the first worsening in the health of the sector in five months.The reading showed that the manufacturing sector fell into contraction territory as business conditions deteri…
The S&P Global UK Manufacturing PMI dropped to 51.0 in March of 2026 from 51.7 in the previous month, revised downwards from the preliminary estimate of 51.4 but remaining firmly above the initial market expectation of 50.1.The result reflected a degree of unexpected stability in manufacturing grow…
The current account deficit in Bosnia and Herzegovina widened to BAM 445.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2025 from BAM 411.9 million in the corresponding period a year earlier.The deficit in goods and services expanded to BAM 1,895.4 million from BAM 1,818.4 million in the Q4 2024.At the same ti…
U.S. equity futures edged up on Wednesday, extending momentum from Wall Street’s strong rally the previous day after the White House said President Trump will deliver an address later today on Iran.On Tuesday, Trump dismissed the need for a negotiated settlement to end the war, suggesting the U.S…
The quantum threat had for a long time been regarded as distant or a hypothetical risk until Google’s Quantum AI whitepaper, released earlier this week, revealed that resources required to break Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC)—the bedrock of Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH)– are 20x lower than pre