Financial News · Live Terminal

Page 217 of 233

Flash PMI: Eurozone Private Sector Activity Contracts in April Amid Middle East Conflict

The euro area's private sector output fell for the first time in 16 months in April, with a decline in new orders for the second straight month amid the ongoing war in the Middle EastThe seasonally adjusted S&P Global Flash Eurozone Composite PMI Output Index hit a 17-month low of 48.6, below the previous 50.7 and expected 50.2, flash data from S&P Global showed Thursday.Meanwhile, the services PMI reached a 62-month low of 47.4, against the earlier reading of 50.2 and the market forecast of 49.8. On the manufacturing side, the PMI rose to a 47-month high of 52.2 from the prior month's 51.6 and the Investing.com consensus estimate of 50.9.

^SXXP

International152d ago

Half of China's Workers in Service Sector in 2025

China's service sector now employs 50% of the national workforce as of end-2025, up from 48.8% the previous year, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.Livestream hosts, delivery riders and drivers have emerged as new forms of employment in recent years.In the first quarter, services contributed 61.7% of gross domestic product and 63.2% of economic growth, up respectively 0.4 of a percentage point and 4 percentage points from last year.

Shanghai Composite^SZSE

International152d ago

German Private Sector Returns to Negative Territory in April, Flash Data Shows

Germany's private sector output contracted for the first time in nearly a year, as the impact of the Middle East conflict resulted in the sharpest drop in new orders since December 2024.The Flash Germany Composite PMI Output Index came in at 48.3 in April 2026, down from 51.9 a month ago, flash data from S&P Global showed Thursday. The reading, which marks a 16-month low, is below the consensus estimate of 51.1.For the manufacturing sector, the PMI was at a two-month low of 51.2, against the prior reading of 52.2 and the Investing.com market forecast of 51.4. On the services side, the PMI hit a 41-month low of 46.9, compared with the previous 50.9 and consensus estimate of 50.4.

^SXXP

International152d ago

Flash PMI: French Private Sector Activity Falls to 14-Month Low in April

The decline in France's private sector business activity worsened in April due to a steeper contraction in the service sector, while manufacturing production expanded at the strongest rate in over four years.The S&P Global Flash France Composite PMI Output Index hit a 14-month low of 47.6 in April, against the prior reading of 48.8, data from S&P Global showed Thursday. Analysts expected a reading of 48.6.For the manufacturing sector, the PMI was at a 47-month high of 52.8, compared with the March reading of 50 and the consensus estimate of 49.5. On the other hand, the services PMI clocked in at a 14-month low of 46.5, compared with the previous 48.8 and market forecast of 48.4.

^SXXP

International152d ago

China's Logs 6% Rise in Q1 Postal Sector Revenue

China's postal sector revenue rose 5.9% year on year to 449.3 billion yuan in the first quarter, according to the State Post Bureau.Express delivery revenue rose 6.8% to 369.0 billion yuan.Total parcels reached 51.9 billion, a 4.5% increase, with express deliveries at 47.73 billion items, up 5.8%.In March, the sector's revenue climbed 3.1% to 157.3 billion yuan, with express delivery revenue rising 4.7% to 130.5 billion yuan.

Shanghai Composite^SZSE

International152d ago

Philippines Unexpectedly Hikes Policy Rate By Quarter Point to 4.5%

The Philippines raised its key policy rate by 25 basis points to 4.5% in a surprise move, citing worsening inflation risks, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) reported Thursday.Analysts had expected the rate to remain steady at 1.25%.The overnight deposit and lending facility rates were also adjusted to 4% and 5%, respectively.The central bank said the inflation outlook has deteriorated due to the Middle East conflict, which has pushed up global oil, fertilizer, and domestic food prices. The headline inflation is now expected to exceed the 4% ceiling in both 2026 and 2027, with rising expectations increasing the risk of de-anchoring.The BSP added that the rate hike is meant to keep inflation expectations under control while still supporting economic growth, and it will take further action if necessary.

^PSEI

International152d ago

China Posts 2% Rise in Q1 Inter-Regional Trips

China logged 17.8 billion inter-regional trips in the first quarter, up 2.2% year on year, according to the transport ministry.Road trips stood at 16.4 billion, while waterway trips hit 58.6 million.Freight volume rose 4.1% to 13.2 billion tonnes.Fixed-asset investment in transport reached 651.9 billion yuan.

Shanghai Composite^SZSE

International152d ago

French Business Climate Worsens in April

France's business climate indicator edged down to 94 in April from the revised 97.2 in March, according to data from the country's statistical agency Insee published Thursday.The latest reading, which missed the market forecast of 96, remains below the long-term average of 100 and marks the index's return to its July 2024 level.For the manufacturing sector alone, the index came in at 100.2, against the revised prior reading of 99.4 and the consensus estimate of 99.

^SXXP

International152d ago

India's Private Sector Growth Gathers Pace in April after Slowdown in March

India's private sector growth accelerated its pace in April after slowing down in March amid the Middle East war.The HSBC Flash India Composite Output Index, which comprises indices for the manufacturing and service sectors, rose to 58.3 in April from 57.0 in the preceding month, according to HSBC Flash PMI data released on Thursday.The seasonally adjusted index, which tracks month-on-month output across manufacturing and services, remained comfortably above the 50.0 threshold, indicating expansion."Survey participants indicated that business activity was supported by capacity expansion, better demand conditions, rising intakes of new work and tech investment," S&P said.New orders in April also grew at a quicker pace than in March.Overall business conditions in April improved to a greater extent than in March indicated by the HSBC Flash India Manufacturing PMI rising to 55.9 from 53.9 in March. The HSBC Flash India Services PMI Business Activity Index, also rose marginally to 57.9 in April compared with 57.5 seen in March."Manufacturing led the upturn, with faster growth in output and new orders. The survey indicated that firms are building buffer stocks to manage the uncertainties around the longevity of the supply-side shock,," Pranjul Bhandari, Chief India Economist at HSBC, said.Input cost pressures, however remained higher, and companies passed through part of the increase through higher sellingprices.The report indicated that Indian private-sector companies expected an increase in output over the next 12 months, driven by marketing efforts which will support demand for their goods and services.While projects pending approval and rising client enquiries also heightened optimism, the overall level of confidence fell since March, but was the second-highest in nearly a year-and-a-half.

^BSENifty 50

International152d ago

Saudi Arabia's Trade Surplus Rises MoM in February

Saudi Arabia's merchandise trade surplus came in at 22.95 billion Saudi riyals in February, up from the revised 14.0 billion riyals in the prior month, General Authority for Statistics data showed Thursday.Merchandise exports totaled 99.08 billion riyals, 4.7% higher year over year, while merchandise imports increased 6.6% to 76.13 billion riyals.

^TASI

International152d ago

UK Public Sector Net Borrowing Decreases in March

Public sector net borrowing in the UK, excluding public sector banks, stood at 12.61 billion pounds sterling in March 2026, 1.4 billion pounds less than in the prior-year period.The latest figure marked the lowest March reading since 2022, not adjusted for inflation, according to data from the Office for National Statistics published Thursday. A month earlier, the reading was a revised surplus of 12.82 billion pounds.Analysts expected a surplus of 10.4 billion pounds for the month.

FTSE 100

International152d ago

Singapore's Core Inflation Rises Faster in March

Singapore's core inflation, which excludes the cost of accommodation and private transport, rose 1.7% year on year in March from 1.4% in the previous month, according to a joint release by the Monetary Authority of Singapore and the Ministry of Trade and Industry on Thursday.The headline consumer price index, representing overall inflation, climbed 1.8% year on year in the month, due to higher transport and core inflation.On a month-on-month basis, core inflation inched up 0.1%, while overall inflation was up 0.5%.Core inflation and overall inflation are currently projected to average 1.5% to 2.5% in 2026, the report said.

^STI

International152d ago

Australia's Job Ads Fall in March

Job advertisements in Australia in March fell 0.4% month on month, 1.3% quarter on quarter, and 2.9% year on year, according to data published by Seek on Thursday.Job ads have declined at the same pace since September, while applications per job ad slipped 0.4% month on month.Hiring activity slowed on a monthly basis across the eastern seaboard, but grew in Western Australia by 0.4% and in the Northern Territory by 0.2%.Western Australia is the only state or territory where ad volumes have grown annually, up 1.6%.Job ad volume rose in five industries month on month, led by mining, resources, and energy, up 1.7%, engineering, up 1.4%, and consulting and strategy, up 0.6%.Annual growth in hiring was restricted to resources, trades, and infrastructure-related industries, with engineering leading at 7.9%.References to artificial intelligence-related skills within job ads have risen past 75% year on year.

ASX 200

International152d ago

New Zealand Housing Market Sales Volumes Fall For Third Consecutive Month in March, Cotality Says

Sales volumes continued to decline across New Zealand's housing market for the third consecutive month in March, down 2.4% year-over-year, Cotality said in a Thursday report.Sales volumes declined by 7.6% in January and 3.1% in February, according to Cotality's NZ Monthly Housing Chart Pack.The three subdued months in a row indicate a weaker first quarter than expected, Cotality NZ Chief Property Economist Kelvin Davidson said. "It's not a sharp downturn, but it does show that confidence is still muted."National median property values rose 0.2% in March and 0.3% during the March quarter. Values across Auckland were down 0.2% over the three months ended March 31 and 3.4% lower year-over-year. Christchurch recorded a gain of 1.1% over the quarter and 2.4% year-over-year.Soft rental conditions saw rents fall 0.4% year-over-year, though gross yields hit a high of 3.9%.First home buyers dominated the market at 27% of March quarter sales, well above their long-term average of 22%.Global uncertainty, along with higher inflation and interest rate expectations, continues to weigh on confidence, Davidson added.

^NZ50

International152d ago

Indonesia's Money Supply Growth Quickens to 9.7% in March

Indonesia's broad money supply (M2) grew 9.7% year-on-year in March to 10,355.1 trillion rupiah, according to central bank data.The latest expansion accelerated from the 8.7% growth in February, as narrow money (M1) increased 14.4% and quasi-money climebd 5.2%.The growth in M2 was mainly driven by stronger net claims on the central government, which surged 39.2% in March versus 25.6% in February.Disbursed loans also contributed, rising 8.9% year-on-year, unchanged from the previous month's pace, Bank Indonesia said.

^JKSE

International152d ago

EU New Car Registrations Rise 12.5% in March

The European Union's new car registrations increased 12.5% year over year to 1,158,316 units in March, according to data from the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association published Thursday.In the first quarter of 2026, new car registrations in the EU totaled 2,822,616 units, reflecting a 4% annual jump.

^SXXP

International152d ago

New Zealand Credit Card Spending Rises in March as Balances Decline

Credit card spending in New Zealand increased by 0.7% month on month to NZ$4.87 billion in March after a 0.1% increase in the previous month, while credit card balances fell 0.5% to NZ$6.08 billion in March, data from the Reserve Bank of New Zealand showed Thursday.Domestic billings on New Zealand-issued cards rose by 0.8% to NZ$4.14 billion in March, following a 0.2% decrease in the previous month. Billings on overseas-issued cards fell to NZ$726 million from NZ$748 million.Compared with the year-earlier period, credit card spending rose 2.1% in March after a 0.6% increase a year ago.

^NZ50

International152d ago

Moody's Revises Outlook on New Zealand to Negative; Finance Minister Willis Flags Debt Servicing

Moody's has revised its outlook on New Zealand's AAA credit rating to negative from stable in a move that again signals a need for checks on spending and borrowing, Finance Minister Nicola Willis said Thursday following the ratings agency's outlook cut."Moody's choice to put New Zealand on negative watch is another warning that we can't afford to simply spend more and borrow more, or we risk higher interest rates, higher borrowing costs and more pressure on Kiwi families," Willis said.In its decision, the ratings agency pointed to persistent inflation pressures, including fuel price hikes and higher electricity costs, as well as the country's delayed return to a budget surplus, according to media reports."The [outlook] revision also confirms the need for any support delivered in response to the Middle East conflict to be temporary and targeted," Willis said, adding that debt servicing now represents the fourth-largest cost to taxpayers.

^NZ50

International152d ago

Japan's Manufacturing Output Growth Hits 12-Year High; Service Sector Expansion Slows

Japanese manufacturing output rose at its steepest rate since February 2014, although this rebound was tempered by a slower expansion in service sector activity, pulling overall private sector growth to its weakest pace in four months during April.The S&P Global Flash Japan PMI Composite Output Index dipped to 52.4 in April from 53.0 in March, remaining above the 50.0 threshold that separates expansion from contraction.While total activity has now expanded for 13 consecutive months, the latest reading marked the softest rate of growth seen so far in 2026.Some manufacturers raised output due to concerns over future supply shortages linked to the Middle East war, contributing to the sharp manufacturing uptick.In contrast, service sector activity grew at its mildest pace in 11 months, while new export business at the composite level rose at the slowest rate in four months.Employment continued its steady rise for over 2.5 years, though capacity pressures persisted as outstanding business levels increased for the fifth straight month.Average input costs surged at the sharpest rate since January 2023, driven by higher prices for staff, raw materials, fuel, and energy-often tied to Middle East developments and a weak yen.Goods producers experienced notably steeper cost inflation than service providers, pushing average output charges to rise at the quickest pace since composite data began in late 2007.Business confidence regarding future output weakened for the second consecutive month, falling to its lowest level since August 2020 due to uncertainty and market disruption from the Middle East war.

Nikkei 225

International152d ago

Australia's Private Sector Stabilizes in April as Services Rebound

Australia's private sector activity stabilized in April after March's decline, as a modest recovery in services was offset by continued weakness in manufacturing amid soft domestic demand, rising cost pressures, and supply chain disruptions linked to Middle East tensions, according to a survey by S&P Global released Thursday.The Flash Australia PMI Composite Output Index rose to 50.1 in April from 46.6 in March, moving above the neutral threshold as renewed growth in services activity offset a faster decline in manufacturing output, the report said.A reading above the 50-point threshold indicates expansion.The Flash Services PMI Business Activity Index rose to 50.3 in April from 46.3 in March. The Flash Manufacturing Output Index edged down to 48.2 from 49.4, while the Flash Manufacturing PMI increased to 51 from 49.8.New business at Australian firms fell for a second consecutive month in April as geopolitical tensions weighed on client confidence and domestic demand, even as modest gains in export orders offered a partial offset, per the report.Business confidence slipped to its weakest level in nearly two and a half years in April amid rising cost and demand pressures, even as a pickup in private hiring helped firms clear backlogs at the start of the second quarter.Private sector inflation in Australia accelerated in April to its fastest pace since August 2022, as higher fuel and shipping costs drove up input prices and businesses passed on more of the burden to customers than at any time in three and a half years, the report said.Australia's manufacturing sector remained in contraction in April, with production falling for a third consecutive month and output declining at its fastest pace since late 2024, even as job and inventory reductions eased slightly.Manufacturers faced the sharpest supply chain disruption since mid-2022 in April, as Middle East conflict-driven shipping delays pushed input delivery times higher and drove inflation in both costs and selling prices to multi-year highs.

ASX 200

Showing 4321-4340 of 4654

International152d ago

Australia's Private Sector Stabilizes in April as Services Rebound

ASX 200