Currency News

Germany’s business confidence highest since May 2023

Business sentiment in Germany has increased to its highest level since May 2023 in April, the latest data by the Ifo Institute showed. The Ifo Business Climate indicator was reported at 89.4 in April, while improving from 87.9 in the previous month. In comparison, a consensus of analyst estimates had pointed to a reading of […] Read more

Euro Area’s April factory activity weakest since December

Euro Area’s manufacturing sector activity continued to shrink in April, data by S&P Global showed. The HCOB Eurozone Manufacturing PMI dropped to 45.6 in April, a preliminary estimate showed, from 46.1 in March. April’s PMI reading has been the lowest since December 2023. In comparison, market consensus had pointed to an improvement to 46.5. Still, […] Read more

Canada’s new home prices with no change in March

Prices of new homes in Canada have remained unchanged in March over February, after rising 0.1% in the previous month, the latest data by Statistics Canada showed. In comparison, market consensus had pointed to a 0.1% monthly increase. Home prices remained flat in 12 out of the 27 census metropolitan areas surveyed, increased in 9 […] Read more

Germany’s producer prices drop the least since July 2023

Producer prices in Germany registered the smallest year-on-year drop since July 2023 in March, the latest data by the Federal Statistical Office showed. Prices went down 2.9% year-on-year in March, after a 4.1% slump in the prior month. March has been the ninth straight month of producer deflation, as prices of natural gas plummeted 15.4% […] Read more

Philadelphia factory activity strongest since April 2022

Manufacturing activity in Philadelphia in April has been the strongest since April 2022, the latest data showed. The Philadelphia Fed Manufacturing Index was reported at a reading of 15.5 in April, up from 3.2 in March. The latest figure was well above a consensus of analyst estimates of 1.5. The April reading has been the […] Read more

Spain posts smallest trade deficit since March 2023

Spain’s trade gap in February has been the smallest since March 2023, the latest data showed. The nation’s trade balance shortfall was reported at EUR 2.4 billion in February, compared to a deficit of EUR 2.5 billion in the same month of 2023. The country records consistent trade deficits because of high imports of fuel […] Read more

UK retail sales unexpectedly stall in March

Retail sales in the United Kingdom surprisingly registered zero growth in March over February after a 0.1% increase in the prior month, data by the Office for National Statistics showed. In comparison, market consensus had pointed to a 0.3% growth. In March, sales of automotive fuel went up 3.2%, while those at non-food stores rose […] Read more

Japan’s inflation eases to 2.7%, Yen up amid risk aversion

Annual consumer price inflation in Japan has slowed to 2.7% in March from a 3-month high of 2.8% in February, data by the Ministry of Internal Affairs & Communications showed. The actual figure came in line with market consensus. In March, prices moderated for transport (2.9% YoY versus 3% YoY in February), clothing (2% YoY […] Read more

Switzerland’s trade surplus expands in March

Switzerland reported a trade surplus in the amount of CHF 2.8 billion in March, compared to a revised up CHF 2.3 billion surplus in February. The nation’s total exports went down 0.6% month-over-month to CHF 21.1 billion, mostly because of lower shipments of jewelry (-37.2%), clocks (-1.5%), precision instruments (-1.5%) and food and beverages (-1.4%). […] Read more

Australia’s employment levels unexpectedly decrease in March

Employment in Australia surprisingly decreased by 6,600 to 14,259,900 in March following a revised up 117,600 growth in February, the latest data by the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed. Market consensus had pointed to employment growth of 7,200. The March figure marked the first decline in employment levels since December 2023. Part-time employment decreased by […] Read more