Japan's trade deficit narrowed to 224.8 billion yen in the first 20 days of April from 268.4 billion yen a year earlier as exports grew faster than imports, provisional data from the Ministry of Finance on Tuesday showed.
Exports during the month rose 9.6% to 6.62 trillion yen from 6.039 trillion yen a year earlier.
Imports, meanwhile, grew 8.5% on year to 6.845 trillion yen from 6.307 trillion yen a year ago.
Switzerland's monthly producer and import price index ticked up 0.8% in April, after a 0.2% gain in March, data from the country's Federal Statistical Office showed Tuesday.Analysts expected a 0.1% growth for the month.On a yearly basis, Swiss producer and import prices were 2% lower, compared with a 2.7% drop in the prior month.
Confirming the flash estimate, Germany's annual inflation rate accelerated to 2.9% in April from 2.7% in March, final data from the country's Federal Statistical Office showed Tuesday.The reading marks the highest inflation level reached since January 2024.On a monthly basis, consumer prices edged up 0.6%, matching the preliminary reading and against the previous 1.1% increase.The annual harmonized inflation rates for April were also confirmed at 2.9%, compared with 2.8% earlier. Meanwhile, harmonized consumer prices were affirmed to be 0.5% higher month over month, against the previous reading of a 1.2% jump.
India is said to be evaluating emergency steps to strengthen its foreign-exchange reserves in a bid to curb the damage caused by the surge in oil prices, according to a Bloomberg report on Tuesday, citing sources.As per the report, the Indian government is considering moves like curbing non-essential imports such as gold and electronic goods, and hiking fuel prices.The moves are expected to help shelter the economy amid the global economic turmoil caused by the Iran war.Officials in the Prime Minister's Office and Finance Ministry have held discussions with the Reserve Bank of India on possible measures to limit the damage from the rising oil prices, the report said.(Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)