The UK government's gross reserve assets declined to $225.61 billion in May from $226.61 billion in April, according to Bank of England data published Wednesday.
The amount consists of $122.51 billion in foreign currency reserves, $7.54 billion in International Monetary Fund reserve position and $39.25 billion in special drawing rights, alongside $45.55 billion in gold and $10.77 billion in other reserve assets.
Britain's private sector economy slipped into contraction territory for the first time since April 2025, as a sharper decline in service sector output more than offset accelerating manufacturing production.The S&P Global UK Composite PMI fell to a 13-month low of 49.7 in May 2026, from 52.6 previously, according to final data published Wednesday. The flash estimate stood at 48.5.Meanwhile, the services PMI was 49.3, compared with the previous 52.7 and the preliminary reading of 47.9. S&P said the final reading reflects "only a marginal decline" in the sector's output.
The euro area's private sector activity declined at a sharper rate in May, as falling demand for the bloc's goods and services impacted output, according to final data from S&P Global published Wednesday.The seasonally adjusted S&P Global Eurozone Composite PMI Output Index stood at an 18-month low of 48.5 in May, compared with the previous month's 48.8 and the flash estimate of 47.5.Meanwhile, the services PMI came in at 47.7, against the prior month's 47.6 and the initial reading of 46.4, signaling a continued contraction in services activity.
Taiwan will impose temporary anti-dumping duties on cold-rolled flat non-directional electromagnetic steel imports from South Korea and mainland China after preliminary findings indicated dumping practices had caused harm to the domestic industry, the Ministry of Finance announced Tuesday.To prevent further damage during the ongoing investigation, authorities said temporary anti-dumping duties will be imposed starting June 8 for a period of four months.The preliminary findings cover key exporters from South Korea, including POSCO and affiliated firms, as well as all exporters from mainland China, with duties set at 45.7% to 49.8% for Korean suppliers and 26.4% for Chinese shipments.Officials said the review process will continue under prescribed statutory timelines, with final determinations on dumping and industry injury to follow before a decision on long-term anti-dumping measures is made.