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Taiwan's Jobless Rate Drops to 3.3% in April

Taiwan's unemployment rate fell to 3.3% in April, down 0.04 percentage points from the previous month, according to data released by the Directorate General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics on Friday.The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate also eased to 3.34% from 3.35% in March.The number of unemployed persons stood at 397,000, decreasing by 5,000 from the previous month and by 2,000 from a year earlier.The labor force participation rate slipped to 59.52%, down 0.05 percentage points from March but up 0.25 percentage points year on year.Total employment declined by 6,000 to 11.6 million in April, down 0.05% from the previous month, though it increased 0.23% compared with a year earlier, the data showed.

Taiwan Weighted

International80d ago

Market Chatter: RBI Not Keen on Interest Rate Hike to Help Weak Indian Rupee

The Reserve Bank of India is not in favor of raising the interest rates to take the weakening Indian rupee, according to a Reuters report on Friday, quoting sources.The central bank is reinforcing that inflation will guide its policy on interest rates, rather than currency. It could adopt other measures, including dollar deposit schemes for non-resident Indians and tax changes for debt investors, the report said."There doesn't seem to be an urgent need for the central bank to jump into rate hikes," said one of the sources cited in the report.India's rupee has fallen nearly 6% to a record low of nearly 96.96 rupees per dollar on Thursday, since the Iran war began late in February.The RBI's Monetary Policy Commission, which will next meet on June 5 to decide on the interest rates, held consultations with economists on Thursday, 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.)

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International80d ago

German Ifo Business Climate Improves in May

Germany's business climate index edged up to 84.9 points in May from the revised 84.5 points in April, according to data from the ifo Institute published Friday.Analysts expected 84.2 points for the month.Meanwhile, the current situation index stood at 86.1 points, against the prior 85.4 points and the market forecast of 85.1 points.The expectations indicator rose to 83.8 points from the revised 83.5 points earlier and the consensus estimate of 83.5 points.

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International80d ago

China-Russia Trade Jumps 20% in January-April

Trade between China and Russia grew nearly 20% to $85.2 billion in the first four months of 2026, Xinhua News Agency reported Thursday, citing the Commerce Ministry.Annual trade volume between the two countries topped $200 billion for three straight years, the report said, citing spokesperson He Yadong.

Shanghai Composite^SZSE

International80d ago

South Korean Household, Mortgage Loans Increase in Q1

Newly issued household loans per borrower in South Korea were up by 990,000 won to hit 35.42 million won in the first quarter from the previous quarter, while average mortgage loans increased by 16.53 million won to 229.39 million won, the Bank of Korea said in a Friday release.Loan growth was particularly notable among borrowers in their 30s, residents of the Seoul metropolitan area, borrowers taking loans from non-bank financial institutions, and mortgage loan holders, the release said.As of March-end, the average household loan balance per borrower was 97.40 million won, while average mortgage balances rose by 1.79 million won to 160.06 million won in Q1 from the same period last year.

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International80d ago

French Business Climate Worsens in May

France's business climate indicator edged down to 93.6 in May from the revised 94.1 in April, according to data from the country's statistical agency Insee published Friday.The latest reading, which missed the market forecast of 94, moved away from the index's long-term average of 100.For the manufacturing sector alone, the index came in at 102.3, against the revised prior reading of 100.4 and the consensus estimate of 100.

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International80d ago

Indonesia Books BOP Deficit of $9.1 Billion in Q1

Indonesia's balance of payments (BOP) recorded a deficit of $9.1 billion in the first quarter, while foreign exchange reserves remained robust at $148.2 billion, Bank Indonesia said Friday.The current account posted a $4 billion deficit, or 1.1% of GDP, widening from the previous quarter as trade surplus narrowed and income outflows increased, although services improved on lower freight imports.The capital and financial account swung to a $4.9 billion deficit, driven by other investment outflows and maturing external obligations, despite continued inflows from direct and portfolio investment.Reserves at end-March were sufficient to cover 5.8 months of imports and external debt payments, above the international adequacy benchmark, while the central bank expects the external position to remain broadly resilient.

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International80d ago

APEC Trade Reps to Talk About Free Trade During Meet in China

Trade representatives at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting are expected to discuss regional economic integration and free trade area process in the region amid the "complex and volatile" international situation, according to China's Commerce Minister during an interview on Friday.The trade ministers' meeting will be conducted in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China, late this month.Other key topics to be discussed are the development of a digital cooperation and a green economy, Commerce Minister Wang Wentao said."All parties are eagerly anticipating that the meeting will build consensus and achieve tangible results," Wang said.

Shanghai Composite^SZSE

International80d ago

Indonesia's Money Supply Growth Cools to 9.2% in April

Indonesia's broad money supply (M2) expanded 9.2% year-on-year in April, reaching 10,253.7 trillion Indonesian rupiah, but easing from 9.7% growth in March, Bank Indonesia said Friday.The moderation was supported by a 13.6% rise in narrow money (M1) and a 4.7% increase in quasi-money, compared with 14.4% and 5.2% respectively in the previous month.Growth in M2 was mainly driven by net claims on the central government, which rose 38.6% in April after a 39.1% increase in March.Bank credit also supported liquidity expansion, increasing 9.4% year-on-year, compared with 8.9% in the prior month, according to central bank data.

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International80d ago

UK Public Sector Net Borrowing Rises in April

Public sector net borrowing in the UK, excluding public sector banks, stood at 24.34 billion pounds sterling in April, up from the revised 11.48 billion pounds earlier, according to data from the Office for National Statistics published Friday.Analysts expected 20.7 billion pounds for the month, according to Investing.com data.

FTSE 100

International80d ago

UK's Monthly Retail Sales Fall 1.3% in April

Britain's monthly retail sales decreased 1.3% in April after a revised 0.6% gain in March, according to data from the Office for National Statistics published Friday.Analysts expected 0.6% decline for the month.On a yearly basis, UK retail sales flatlined, against the revised 1.4% increase previously and the expected 1.3% gain.Excluding automotive fuel, retail sales were down 0.4% month over month and up 1.1% annually, following the revised growth of 0.1% and the revised 1.5% jump earlier, respectively. The figures compare with the consensus estimates of a 0.3% monthly dip and a 1.5% yearly rise.

FTSE 100

International80d ago

GfK: German Consumer Sentiment to Rebound in June

German consumer sentiment is expected to slightly improve in June, with the indicator up to -29.8 points from the revised -33.1 points in May, Growth from Knowledge said Friday.Analysts expected -33.7 points for the month, according to Investing.com data.The latest reading reflects a "noticeably more positive" income expectations among German consumers, albeit their willingness to buy remains subdued.

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International80d ago

German Quarterly GDP Up 0.3% in Q1, Final Data Shows

Germany's quarterly gross domestic product ticked up 0.3% in the first quarter, after a 0.2% gain in the prior three-month period, final data from the Federal Statistical Office showed Friday.The final reading matched the flash estimate.On a yearly basis, the German economy expanded by 0.4% during the quarter, against the initial reading of a 0.3% rise.

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International80d ago

Market Chatter: China's Reduced Oil Imports Cap Global Prices Despite Strait of Hormuz Closure, Analysts Say

China's reduction of oil imports, which led to lower Asian crude purchases, has kept crude prices from soaring despite the lingering effects of the Iran war, including the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz, Reuters reported Thursday.While market analysts initially projected crude prices to exceed $160 per barrel due to the conflict, prices have instead stabilized around $110 per barrel, despite a lack of progress in peace talks, the report said, citing Morgan Stanley analysts.Chinese net seaborne crude imports slid by 5.5 million barrels per day, equivalent to 5.5% of global demand, to 8.5 million barrels per day in the month through May 8, Reuters said, citing Morgan Stanley.China even resold oil cargoes purchased under long-term contracts to refiners outside the country as domestic demand weakened and crude prices rose, Reuters 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.)

Shanghai Composite^SZSE

International80d ago

Australia's GDP Expected to Grow Around 0.4% in March Quarter, Westpac Says

Westpac-Now points to quarter-over-quarter gross domestic product (GDP) growth of around 0.4% in the March quarter, with a range of 0.3% to 0.55%, Westpac said in a Friday report.This was below Westpac's second estimate of 0.6% quarter-over-quarter growth and the 0.8% quarter-over-quarter growth recorded in the December quarter.The bank's central project has year-ended growth slowing to 1.6% year-over-year in the June quarter, per the report.The Westpac Monthly Activity Index fell over the three consecutive months to the end of April, and the index recorded its sharpest quarterly decline since May 2023.The index declined to levels seen in the first quarter of 2025, when the central bank began cutting the cash rate, suggesting Australia's cyclical upswing has come to an end.The bank's framework points to growth stalling at just 0.1% quarter-over-quarter in the June quarter. The longer the Middle East conflict persists, alongside other sources of uncertainty, the greater the risk of a contraction in the June quarter.

ASX 200

International80d ago

Global Factors Currently Most Relevant Influence on Fuel Prices in New Zealand, ANZ Says

The fuel price for consumers in New Zealand is driven by a combination of global and domestic factors, but global variables are currently the most relevant influence, ANZ said in its weekly Fuel Market Watch report on Friday.The top global factors include the US dollar price of crude oil, refining margins, international freight and insurance costs, as well as the exchange rate for the New Zealand dollar, based on which those costs are converted into local currency.Meanwhile, domestic influences on the price include the cost of distributing fuel, other wholesaler and retailer costs and margins, and taxes and levies, ANZ said.The bank said forecasting the New Zealand consumer price index has become a lot more complex in recent weeks, as any estimate must be selective about which oil market to look at, refining margins, and freight costs, among other factors."Gone are the days where any global crude benchmark price converted into [New Zealand dollars] will give you a pretty good steer on the quarterly change in prices at the pump," ANZ said.

^NZ50

International80d ago

Australia's Housing Demand Takes Measurable Hit in March quarter, Cotality Says

Australia's housing demand took a measurable hit in the March quarter, and total loan commitments fell 6.2% in the quarter due to central bank rate hikes and low confidence, Cotality said in a report.The overall value of lending dropped by 3.8%. However, both measures remained higher than in March 2025.Consumer confidence surveys also fell as energy prices surged in the wake of the conflict in the Middle East in late February, with low confidence acting as a deterrent to a high-value purchase.The quarterly volume of owner-occupier loans fell by 6.9%, while the volume of investor lending fell 5.3%. In value terms, owner-occupiers fell by 4.3% compared with a 3% decline for investors. The overall decline in the volume of investor lending was led by New South Wales and Western Australia, while the volume of investor lending in both South Australia and Tasmania increased in March.Within the owner-occupier segment, there was a smaller fall in the volume of lending to first home buyers than there was to other owner-occupiers. The average new loan size for first home buyers fell in the quarter, down around 2.6%, compared with a 1.6% increase for other owner-occupiers.Compared with other property purchasers, first home buyers tend to be more rate sensitive. Overall, Victoria continues to lead first home buyer lending activity as a share of the total, while first home buyer lending volume fell by the most in South Australia at 6.1%.

ASX 200

International80d ago

GfK: UK Consumer Confidence Improves in May

Britain's consumer confidence indicator rose to -23 points in May from -25 points in April, market research company Growth from Knowledge said Friday.The consensus estimate for the month was -28 points.The reading reflects UK consumers' improved perception of their personal financial situation and the general economy, though the major purchase index fell to its lowest since January 2025.

FTSE 100

International80d ago

New Zealand Retail Sales Indicative of 'Decent' GDP Growth in March Quarter, BNZ Says

New Zealand's retail sales data for the March quarter is indicative of "decent growth" in gross domestic product for the period, but likely not as strong as the central bank's 1.1% estimate issued in February, the Bank of New Zealand (BNZ) said in a Friday report.The 0.9% seasonally adjusted increase in retail sales volumes was above the market consensus of a 0.5% rise, but missed BNZ's expectations for a 1.2% gain, according to the report.With retail sales volumes jumping 4.5% from a year earlier, the latest figures provide more evidence that New Zealand's economic recovery was gaining traction before the conflict in the Middle East erupted, the bank said.However, since retail sales volumes on a per-capita basis have only just returned to levels seen before the pandemic, and with sales remaining well below the pre-COVID-19 trend, it is a bit of a stretch to describe the latest data as outright strong, BNZ said.The dollar value of fuel sales ticked 5.9% higher quarter over quarter, largely driven by elevated prices, although the increase in fuel prices after the start of the Middle East conflict will likely reflect a lot more in second-quarter data, the bank said."This is one factor prompting us to forecast slower retail sales growth ahead," BNZ said. "As more income is redirected to pay high fuel bills, it will leave less money to spend elsewhere."

^NZ50

International80d ago

New Zealand Retail Sales Data Points to 'Solid Lift' in Consumer Spending, Westpac Says

New Zealand's retail sales data for the March quarter points to a "solid lift" in consumer spending, advancing a retail sector recovery that started in late 2024, Westpac said in a Friday report.The country's volume of seasonally adjusted retail sales hit NZ$26.04 billion in the March quarter, up 0.9% from the December 2025 quarter and exceeding Westpac's forecast for a 0.2% increase.Some of the growth in nominal spending, which rose 2.2% over the quarter and 6.1% from a year earlier, is a result of higher prices, especially for fuel, the bank said.Strong growth in tourist arrivals buoyed the results, as the volume of spending on accommodation rose over 6% during the quarter. Spending on food and beverage services also increased, while spending on footwear, apparel, and recreational goods fell, possibly reflecting an early reaction to the Middle East conflict, Westpac said.Given the impact of the Middle East conflict, the current quarter will probably be "a much tougher one for retailers, especially those selling discretionary items," the bank said, adding that the economy's second-half performance will depend on how the conflict evolves and how New Zealand's central bank responds to a spike in inflation.Westpac continues to anticipate gross domestic product growth of 0.8% in the March quarter.

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