As expected, France's annual inflation rate climbed to 2.2% in April, from 1.7% in March, final data from statistics agency Insee showed Wednesday.
On a monthly basis, consumer prices were 1% higher, in line with the flash estimate and the prior month.
The annual harmonized inflation rate stood at 2.5%, matching the initial reading and against the previous 2%. Month over month, harmonized consumer prices rose 1.2%, confirming the preliminary data, compared with the previous 1.1% increase.
Malaysia's natural rubber production fell 8.2% in March to 21,310 tonnes from 22,124 tonnes in February, the country's statistics department said Wednesday.Annually, production dropped 29.3% from 28,739 tonnes, data showed.Total natural rubber stocks declined 1.8% to 139,174 tonnes in March from 141,697 tonnes a month earlier.Meanwhile, exports slipped 2.2% to 33,137 tonnes from 33,897 tonnes, according to the report.
The value of work done in Malaysia's construction sector expanded 8.5% year-on-year in the first quarter, easing from 10.3% in the previous quarter, according to data released by the Department of Statistics Malaysia on Wednesday.The expansion was supported by broad-based activity across key segments.Growth was led by special trade activities, which surged 24.6%, and non-residential buildings, which rose 12.7%. Residential construction increased 6.1%, while civil engineering posted a marginal 1.5% gain.Total work done reached 46.5 billion ringgit, with civil engineering contributing 15.9 billion ringgit or 34.2%, followed by non-residential buildings at 13.9 billion ringgit or 29.9%, the data showed.
The business sentiment among German travel agencies and tour operators worsened further in April amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, according to an ifo Institute survey published Wednesday.The ifo business climate index for the sector declined to -43.5 points from -41.8 points in March. Companies viewed their present situation as "far worse," while their future outlook marginally improved as travel warnings for key transit countries in the Middle East were lifted at the end of April, the institute noted.More than half of the surveyed companies flagged "weak" demand in April, as potential jet fuel shortages remain a source of uncertainty for travelers.