Germany's import prices gained 5.3% year over year in April 2026, the highest yearly increase since January 2023, the country's Federal Statistical Office said Friday.
A month ago, annual import prices rose 2.3%. The latest figure aligns with market expectations for the month.
On a monthly basis, German import prices were 1.2% higher, against the expected 1.1% growth.
Germany's unemployment rate was 3.9% in April, up from 3.8% in the previous year, the country's Federal Statistical Office said Friday.As of April, nearly 1.7 million individuals were jobless in Germany.Adjusted for seasonal and irregular effects, the unemployment rate was unchanged month over month at 3.8%.
Taiwan's overall business monitoring indicator stayed in the "red" zone in April, with the total score unchanged at 39, the National Development Council said Thursday.The leading index, adjusted for trend, rose 0.58% to 103.63, marking its 10th straight monthly increase. The coincident index also climbed 0.84% to 107.57, extending gains to an 18th consecutive month, signaling continued near-term momentum.The lagging index increased 0.75% to 100.34, also rising for a 10th month in a row, while officials said they will keep closely monitoring broader economic conditions despite sustained improvements across indicators.
Lending activity in Singapore expanded in April, with total loans and advances to residents rising to SG$908.4 billion from SG$902.3 billion in March, according to preliminary data released by the Monetary Authority of Singapore on Friday.The expansion was led by corporate demand, with loans to business enterprises growing to SG$551.3 billion, compared to SG$547.6 billion a month prior.Consumer loans rose to SG$357.1 billion in April from SG$354.7 billion a month earlier, with housing and bridging loans comprising SG$249.9 billion.