The eurozone's seasonally adjusted general government deficit-to-gross domestic product ratio stood at 2.9% in 2025, down from the revised 3% in the previous year, according to Eurostat data published Wednesday.
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International
Huafon Chemical's Attributable Profit Jumps 33% in Q1
Huafon Chemical's (SHE:002064) attributable profit rose 33% to 668.6 million yuan in the first quarter from 504.3 million yuan in the year-ago period, according to a Tuesday filing with the Shenzhen bourse.Earnings per share at the polyurethane product materials company increased 30% to 0.13 yuan from 0.10 yuan in the prior-year period.Operating income grew 7.2% year over year to 6.77 billion yuan from 6.31 billion yuan.Shares increased 2% during the midday break on Wednesday.
SHE:002064
International
Westpac-Melbourne Institute Leading Index Falls in March
An indicator of Australian economic activity fell in March, signaling a renewed slowdown in growth expectations as higher interest rates and weaker consumer sentiment weigh on the outlook, according to a report by Westpac and Melbourne Institute published on Wednesday.The Westpac-Melbourne Institute Leading Index, which indicates the likely pace of economic activity relative to trend three to nine months into the future, fell to negative 0.13% in March from 0.05% in February.Australia's economy has slowed in early 2026, with the March index signaling a return to below-trend growth for the first time since last year, and potentially the start of another soft patch after the cost-of-living-driven weakness of 2022 to 2024, said Matthew Hassan, head of Westpac's Australian macro-forecasting.The leading index has weakened notably, shifting from a 0.31% gain in October last year to a 0.15% decline currently, driven by higher interest rates and renewed pressure in the energy market linked to tensions in the Middle East.Australia's headline growth momentum has been weighed down by weaker consumer sentiment, a sharp March equity sell-off, and a narrowing yield spread, though an early April rebound in shares could signal some near-term relief if sustained, Hassan said.Commodity prices and volatile dwelling approvals have been the main drivers of recent index gains, while the remaining components have collectively made no net contribution since October.The Reserve Bank monetary policy board is expected to deliver another 25 basis-point rate hike at its May meeting, as rising underlying inflation and the risk of higher inflation expectations outweigh emerging, but still modest, signs of weakening growth, Hassan added.
ASX 200
International
South Korea's Producer Prices Rise 4.1% in March
Producer prices in South Korea increased 4.1% in March from a year earlier, the fastest increase since February 2023, according to preliminary data from the Bank of Korea on Wednesday.The year-on-year gains were driven by higher costs across all categories except electric power, gas, water and waste, which declined 1.1% in the month.Producer prices across agricultural, forestry & marine products, manufacturing, and services increased 0.5%, 5.9%, and 3.1%, respectively, the data showed.On a month-on-month basis, producer prices increased 1.6% in March, according to the data.
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