International Economic
Chicago PMI improves more than expected, but rising prices a concern
Economic activity in the Chicago area contracted for the 15th straight month in February, according to a purchasing managers' index (PMI) released on Friday, though the downturn eased more than expected.
US PCE growth slows to 2.5pc in January
US personal consumption expenditures growth eased to 2. 5% on an annualised basis in January, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, down from 2. 6% in December.
German Feb CPI steady at 2.8% but higher than forecasts
German inflation was higher-than-expected at 2. 8% in February, according to flash data from the Federal statistics agency Destatis published on Friday.
Potential UK-US trade deal could negate need for tariffs, says Trump
A potential trade deal between the UK and US could mean that additional tariffs placed on trans-Atlantic exports might be "not necessary", according to Donald Trump.
French inflation sinks to below 1% for first time since 2021
France's inflation rate dropped to below 1% in February for the first time in four years, with expectations rising that the European Central Bank will lower interest rates again next week as price pressures ease.
German unemployment hits highest since mid-2020, jobless rate unchanged
The number of unemployed people in Germany increased slightly in February to its highest since the peak of the pandemic in 2020, though the jobless rate was unchanged, data on Friday showed.
German January retail sales beat forecasts
German retails sales in January beat expectations, climbing 0. 2% month-on-month after a 1. 6% fall in December, according to official data published on Friday.
Trump says proposed tariffs on Mexico and Canada will take effect on 4 March
Donald Trump said on Thursday that his proposed tariffs on Mexico and Canada would come into effect on 4 March and also stated that Chinese imports would be hit with an additional 10% tariff.
US initial jobless claims soar by 22,000
Americans lined up for unemployment benefits at a accelerated clip in the week ended 22 February, according to the Labor Department.
Trump threatens 25% tariffs on EU imports
Donald Trump has confirmed he plans to impose 25% tariffs on the European Union, claiming the bloc was "formed to screw the United States".
US new home sales dropped 10.5% in January
US new home sales fell to their lowest in three months in January after falling more than expected, according to figures out on Wednesday from the Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Ukraine confirms minerals 'deal' does not have security guarantees
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that a deal with the US on minerals as compensation for military aid did not contain any guarantees on the future security of his country after any armistice with Russia.
German consumer sentiment set to deteriorate in March
German consumer sentiment was set to deteriorate in March, according to a survey released on Wednesday by GfK and the Nuremberg Institute for Market Decisions (NIM).
US consumer confidence sees steepest decline in over three years
Consumer confidence in the United States declined to below its historic average in February as pessimism about the future returned, according to data out on Tuesday from The Conference Board.
US house prices increase 3.9pc in December
S&P/Case-Shiller's house price index revealed that US home prices had increased 3. 9% year-on-year in December, a slight increase from the previous month's 3. 7% growth.
Germany confirms Q4 GDP contraction of 0.2%
Germany's economy shrank by 0. 2% in the final quarter of 2024 compared with the previous quarter, the Federal statistics office said on Tuesday, confirming a flash estimate.
CDU win could see German defence spending boost - Deutsche Bank
The prospect of a two-party coalition government in Germany could provide a boost for defence spending and be well received by the corporate sector, analysts from Deutsche Bank said on Monday after the federal election.
German business sentiment stagnates - Ifo
German business sentiment was unchanged in February, according to a survey released on Monday by the Ifo Institute.
Eurozone inflation at six-month high in January, final estimates confirm
The final reading of the eurozone's consumer price index confirmed that inflation had risen to a six-month high in January, according to figures from Eurostat on Monday.
US composite PMI at 17-month low as services sector contracts
Economic growth in the US private sector slowed to its lowest level in 17 months in February, as a pick-up in manufacturing output was offset by a renewed contraction in the services industry.