Warsh clears Senate committee vote, set to succeed Powell at Fed
Wednesday, April 29,2026,17:00
Kevin Warsh, President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Federal Reserve, cleared a procedural hurdle on Wednesday as the Senate Banking Committee voted to advance his nomination to the full Senate. The committee vote saw Warsh secure backing from all 13 Republicans on the panel. North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis, who previously opposed the nomination, ... .. read more..
Iceland Inflation Eases To 5.2% In April
Wednesday, April 29,2026,14:46
Consumer price inflation in Iceland moderated for the first time in five months in April. The consumer price index rose 5.2 percent year-on-year in April, slightly slower than the 5.4 percent rise in March. Inflation based on housing and utilities moderated to 6.7 percent from 6.9 percent. On a monthly basis, consumer prices climbed 0.8 percent. .. read more..
U.S. Crude Oil Inventories Pull Back Sharply
Wednesday, April 29,2026,14:44
After reporting an unexpected increase by U.S. crude oil inventories in the previous week, the Energy Information Administration released a report on Wednesday showing a sharp pullback by crude oil inventories in the week ended April 24th. .. read more..
Bank Of Canada Leaves Rates Unchanged Amid Uncertainty About Iran, U.S. Trade...
Wednesday, April 29,2026,14:03
Citing ongoing uncertainty, the Bank of Canada on Wednesday announced its widely expected to leave interest rates unchanged for the fourth consecutive meeting. The Bank of Canada said it decided to maintain its target for the overnight rate at 2.25 percent, with the Bank Rate at 2.5 percent and the deposit rate at 2.20 percent. .. read more..
U.S. Durable Goods Orders Rebound 0.8% In March, More Than Expected
Wednesday, April 29,2026,13:32
New orders for U.S. manufactured durable goods rebounded by more than expected in the month of March, according to a report released by the Commerce Department on Wednesday. The Commerce Department said durable goods orders climbed by 0.8 percent in March after tumbling by a revised 1.2 percent in February. .. read more..
Bulgarian Inflation Climbs To 7.1%, Highest Since August 2023
Wednesday, April 29,2026,13:22
Bulgaria's consumer price inflation accelerated in April to the highest level in more than two-and-a-half years. The consumer price index, or CPI, climbed 7.1 percent yearly in April, faster than the 4.1 percent rise in March. The rise in inflation was largely driven by a 20.3 percent jump in transportation costs amid higher oil and natural gas costs caused by the impact of the Middle East war. .. read more..
German Inflation Accelerates
Wednesday, April 29,2026,13:00
German inflation accelerated in April fueled by higher energy prices, yet remained below expectations, flash estimate published by Destatis showed Wednesday. .. read more..
Sweden Economic Confidence Falls In April
Wednesday, April 29,2026,12:56
Sweden's economic sentiment weakened in April to the lowest level in seven months, while consumers expressed a more pessimistic outlook. The economic tendency index fell to 99.0 in April from 99.6 in March. Among components, sentiment is at a normal level across all sectors of the business sector, with the exception of retail trade. .. read more..
U.S. Housing Starts Soar In March But Building Permits Plunge
Wednesday, April 29,2026,12:42
A report released by the Commerce Department on Wednesday showed a sharp increase in new residential construction in the U.S. in the month of March but a steep drop in building permits. The Commerce Department said housing starts soared by 10.8 percent to an annual rate of 1.502 million in March after tumbling by 3.0 percent to a rate of 1.356 million in February. .. read more..
U.S. Durable Goods Orders Rebound More Than Expected In March
Wednesday, April 29,2026,12:37
New orders for U.S. manufactured durable goods rebounded by more than expected in the month of March, according to a report released by the Commerce Department on Wednesday. .. read more..
Eurozone Private Sector Credit Rises At Faster Pace
Wednesday, April 29,2026,12:32
Eurozone private sector credit logged a faster growth in March, the European Central Bank said Wednesday. .. read more..
Turkish Economic Confidence Falls To 9-month Low
Wednesday, April 29,2026,12:20
Turkey's economic sentiment weakened further in April to the lowest level in nine months. The economic sentiment index dropped to 96.4 in April from 97.9 in March. Any reading below 100 indicates a pessimistic outlook. Among components, morale for the manufacturing weakened to 98.6 from 100.0, and services confidence eased to 109.7 from 113.2. .. read more..
Eurozone Economic Confidence Weakest Since 2020
Wednesday, April 29,2026,11:49
Euro area economic confidence deteriorated to the lowest level since November 2020, underscoring the rising concern about the strength of economic activity amid the intensifying price pressures and supply chain disruptions. The economic sentiment index dropped more-than-expected to 93.0 in April from 96.2 in the prior month, results of a monthly survey by the European Commission showed on Wednes .. read more..
Belgian Economy Expands 0.2% In Q1
Wednesday, April 29,2026,11:43
Belgium's economy grew at a slightly faster pace in the first quarter of 2026. Gross domestic product grew seasonally and calendar-adjusted 0.2 percent sequentially in the first quarter, following a 0.1 percent increase in the fourth quarter. The annual economic growth moderated to 0.8 percent in the first quarter from 0.9 percent in the final quarter of 2025. .. read more..
Irish Economy Shrinks 2.0% In Q1
Wednesday, April 29,2026,11:08
Ireland's economy contracted for the second straight quarter in the three months ending in March. Gross domestic product fell a seasonally adjusted 2.0 percent sequentially in the first quarter, slower than the 3.8 percent expansion in the fourth quarter. The result was driven mainly by a fall in the multinational-dominated sector of industry. .. read more..
Italy Consumer Confidence Weakens Further In April
Wednesday, April 29,2026,10:35
Italy's consumer confidence decreased for the second straight month in April to the lowest level in more than three years. Consumer sentiment dropped to 90.8 in April from 92.6 in the previous month. A score below 100 indicates a pessimistic outlook. The composite business confidence indicator worsened to a 6-month low of 95.2 in April from 97.3 a month ago. .. read more..
ECB interest rate dilemma: Eurozone growth stalls as Iran war fuels inflation
Wednesday, April 29,2026,10:00
The European Central Bank faces heightened uncertainty ahead of next week’s rate decision, with President Christine Lagarde warning the “stop-start nature” of the Iran war is making the economic outlook harder to assess. As the European Central Bank (ECB) enters its pre-meeting quiet period before the interest rate decision next Thursday, policymakers are grappling with ... .. read more..
Iran’s economy has been battered. Its leaders still think Trump will blink first
Wednesday, April 29,2026,10:00
In the heartland of Iran’s famed carpet-making industry, manufacturing has ground to a near halt. Dairies struggle to find packages for milk and butter. Giant steel mills that once drove Iran’s economy have gone silent. Hundreds of thousands have lost jobs, and millions more are at risk. Over more than five weeks of bombardment, U.S. ... .. read more..
Fed preview: focus on Powell’s final press conference as no policy change is ...
Wednesday, April 29,2026,09:49
The FOMC is widely expected to keep the federal funds rate at 3.50-3.75% with no change to the statement. The base case is that this is going to be a non-event given the uncertainty around the Middle East situation and Powell's final press conference. The US data since the last FOMC meeting in March has been remarkably strong suggesting underlying economic resilience and even acceleration despite a more pessimistic future outlook caused by the US-Iran war and the Strait of Hormuz closure. The Fed eased monetary policy in the second half of 2025 mainly due to a weakening labour market on worries that it could deteriorate faster and eventually cause a significant slowdown in the economy. In... .. read more..
Spain Inflation Rises In April
Wednesday, April 29,2026,09:37
Spain's harmonized inflation accelerated in April due to higher energy prices amid the Iran war, flash data from the statistical office INE revealed Wednesday. .. read more..
Norway Retail Sales Fall 0.1% In March
Wednesday, April 29,2026,08:43
Norway's retail sales decreased for the second straight month in March, though marginally. The volume of retail dropped a seasonally adjusted 0.1 percent month-on-month in March, slower than the 1.1 percent decrease in February. The overall decrease was mainly driven by 8.8 percent lower sales in automotive fuel. .. read more..
Estonia Retail Sales Growth Accelerates To 6.9%
Wednesday, April 29,2026,08:06
Estonia's retail sales growth rebounded at the end of the first quarter. The volume of retail sales climbed 6.9 percent annually in March, faster than the 4.8 percent increase in February. In January, sales growth was 8.2 percent. Retail sales of non-food products surged 10.1 percent from last year, and those of automotive fuel in specialized stores were 14.8 percent higher. .. read more..
Swedish GDP Contracts 0.2%; Retail Sales Growth Accelerates
Wednesday, April 29,2026,07:27
Sweden's economy contracted unexpectedly in the first quarter of 2026. Gross domestic product fell 0.2 percent sequentially in the first quarter, reversing a 0.5 percent rise in the fourth quarter. Further, this was the first decline since the second quarter of 2025. Retail sales grew at a faster pace of 6.2 percent annually in March, after a 2.2 percent gain in February. .. read more..
Consumer Confidence. EU, 11:00 (GMT+2)
Wednesday, April 29,2026,07:00
At 11:00 (GMT+2), the April data on the eurozone consumer confidence index will be published. The index is calculated based on a survey of 2.3K households assessing the economic outlook. It is a leading indicator for consumer spending, with high values indicating consumer optimism and vice versa. The indicator is likely to stabilize around −20.6 points, exerting pressure on the “bullish” position of the single European currency. Read more .. read more..
European Economic News Preview: Germany Flash Inflation Data Due
Wednesday, April 29,2026,06:57
Flash inflation from Germany and economic sentiment from the euro area are the top economic news due on Wednesday. At 3.00 am ET, Spain's statistical office INE publishes flash inflation data for April. Consumer price inflation is forecast to edge up to 3.5 percent from 3.4 percent in March. .. read more..
ZEW Economic Expectations. Switzerland, 10:00 (GMT+2)
Wednesday, April 29,2026,06:00
At 10:00 (GMT+2), the Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW) will publish its April economic expectations index for Switzerland, which measures the difference between the share of institutional investors and analysts who are optimistic and pessimistic, with an optimistic and pessimistic outlook, and is an important indicator of the country’s business conditions and economic well-being. Read more .. read more..
M3 Money Supply. EU, 10:00 (GMT+2)
Wednesday, April 29,2026,06:00
At 10:00 (GMT+2), March data on the M3 money supply aggregate in the eurozone will be published, an indicator that measures the value of all currency and liquid monetary assets at its disposal and is an important indicator of inflation in a country, the growth of which may lead to a change in interest rates by the European Central Bank (ECB). The value is expected to adjust from 3.0% to 3.1% YoY. Read more .. read more..
Consumer Price Index. Germany, 10:00 (GMT+2)
Wednesday, April 29,2026,06:00
At 10:00 (GMT+2), German will release its April Consumer Price Index data — a key gauge of inflation that reflects changes in retail prices across a representative basket of goods and services, including food, transportation, utilities, healthcare, and other consumer categories. A correction is forecast from 1.1% to 0.7% MoM, and from 2.7% to 3.0% YoY, which may, of course, affect the rhetoric of the monetary authorities regarding interest rate adjustments. Read more .. read more..
Australia Inflation Strongest Since 2023
Wednesday, April 29,2026,05:27
Australia's consumer prices inflation accelerated at the fastest pace since 2023, driven by increases in housing and transport costs, data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed Wednesday. Consumer prices increased 4.6 percent on a yearly basis in March, marking the strongest inflation since September 2023. .. read more..
Consumer Price Index. Spain, 09:00 (GMT+2)
Wednesday, April 29,2026,05:00
At 09:00 (GMT+2), Spain will release its April Consumer Price Index data — a key gauge of inflation that reflects changes in retail prices across a representative basket of goods and services, including food, transportation, utilities, healthcare, and other consumer categories. If it grows by 3.4% YoY and by 1.2% MoM, this may affect the rhetoric of the monetary authorities regarding interest rate adjustments. Read more .. read more..
Unemployment Rate. Turkey, 09:00 (GMT+2)
Wednesday, April 29,2026,05:00
At 09:00 (GMT+2), Turkey will release March unemployment data, covering all individuals aged 15 and over who were unemployed during the reference period and who used at least one job search channel over the past three months, as well as individuals already employed or transitioning to self-employment who are awaiting completion of the necessary documentation process. If the value continues to rise from the current 8.5%, this may exert pressure on Turkish lira exchange rate quotes. Read more .. read more..
Rbnz Gov Breman says Q1 core inflation stable within the 1 - 3% target band
Wednesday, April 29,2026,01:44
RBNZ governor Breman: First quarter measures of core inflation have remained stable within the target band of 1–3% Monetary policy committee continues to keep a close watch on developments in Middle East and incoming data This article was written by Eamonn Sheridan at investinglive.com. .. read more..
PBOC sets USD/ CNY central rate at 6.8608 (vs. estimate at 6.8347)
Wednesday, April 29,2026,01:15
The PBOC allows the yuan to fluctuate within a +/- 2% range, around this reference rate. Injects 25.9bn yuan via 7-day reverse repos in open market operates today. Unchanged rate of 1.4%. This article was written by Eamonn Sheridan at investinglive.com. .. read more..
PBOC is expected to set the USD/CNY reference rate at 6.8347 – Reuters estimate
Wednesday, April 29,2026,00:27
The People’s Bank of China is due to set the daily USD/CNY reference rate at around 0115 GMT (2115 US Eastern time), a fixing that remains one of the most closely watched signals in Asian foreign exchange markets. China operates a managed floating exchange rate system, under which the renminbi (yuan) is allowed to trade within a prescribed band around a central reference rate, or midpoint, set each trading day by the PBOC. The current trading band permits the currency to move plus or minus 2% from the official midpoint during onshore trading hours. Each morning, the PBOC determines the midpoint based on a range of inputs. These include the previous day’s closing price, movements in major ... .. read more..
Consumer Price Index. Australia, 03:30 (GMT+2)
Tuesday, April 28,2026,23:30
At 03:30 (GMT+2) in Australia, Q1 data on the Consumer Price Index will be published, which is a key indicator of inflation in the country, reflecting changes in retail prices for a certain basket of goods and services (food, transport, utility costs, healthcare, etc.). If it rises from 0.6% on a quarterly basis, and the weighted average index increases from 0.9%, this will likely influence the rhetoric of financial authorities regarding monetary policy adjustments. Read more .. read more..
NIESR cuts UK growth forecast, warns Iran war will keep inflation above targe...
Tuesday, April 28,2026,23:16
NIESR cuts UK 2026 GDP forecast to 0.9% from 1.4%, sees inflation peaking above 4% in 2027 and warns of recession risk if the Iran war worsens. BoE seen hiking once to 4% in July. Summary: NIESR, the National Institute of Economic and Social Research, cut its UK GDP growth forecast to 0.9% for 2026 and 1.0% for 2027, down sharply from February projections of 1.4% and 1.3% Inflation is forecast to accelerate to 4.1% at the start of 2027 from 3.3% currently, driven by surging oil and gas prices, and is not expected to return to the 2% target until 2028 Unemployment is projected to peak at 5.5% in Q4 2026, slightly above NIESR's February forecast, with wage growth slowing to 3.3% in 2027 NIE... .. read more..
Chile holds rates but Iran war oil risk echoes across global central banks
Tuesday, April 28,2026,22:45
The decision itself is unlikely to move markets, with the hold unanimous and widely expected. The significance lies in the language. Chile's explicit warning that the Middle East conflict is evolving more adversely than its March baseline assumed adds to a growing body of central bank commentary flagging that the Iran war is reshaping the global inflation outlook in ways that were not fully priced in earlier this year. For commodity-linked currencies and emerging market assets, persistent high oil prices represent a terms-of-trade headwind for importers and a partial tailwind for exporters. Chile, as a major copper producer, has some insulation on the export side, but is exposed as an ene... .. read more..
"The Bank of Japan can't save the yen"
Tuesday, April 28,2026,22:08
That headline, "BoJ can't save the yen", is a cracker from ING, straight to the point. ING warns the BoJ cannot save the yen, sees USD/JPY challenging the 2024 high of 162 and flags an outside risk of authorities holding off intervention until the 165 area. Summary: USD/JPY dipped modestly after hawkish dissent at Tuesday's BoJ meeting but ING says the case for sustained yen strength remains unproven ING argues the BoJ was already running an accommodative policy before the Middle East crisis and its slow tightening pace risks pushing real rates further into negative territory A 25bp BoJ hike in June or July, taking the policy rate to 1.00%, would still leave real rates negative given core... .. read more..
Australia Inflation Data Due On Wednesday
Tuesday, April 28,2026,22:03
Australia will on Wednesday release Q1 figures for consumer prices, highlighting a light day for Asia-Pacific economic activity. .. read more..
Australia inflation forecasts point to RBA rate rise as Iran war fuels price ...
Tuesday, April 28,2026,21:39
CBA sees Australian March CPI at 4.6%yr, trimmed mean at 3.5%yr, and calls for a 25bp RBA hike in May. Westpac warns the Iran energy shock will broaden through H2 2026. Summary: CBA forecasts headline CPI rose 1.1% in March, lifting the annual rate to 4.6% CBA expects trimmed mean inflation of 0.9% for Q1 2026, pushing the annual rate to 3.5%, which would mark the third consecutive quarter at that pace or above CBA calls for a 25bp RBA rate rise in May to 4.35%, though flags the decision as line ball between inflation and growth risks Westpac estimates a 1.5% quarterly CPI gain, or 4.2% annually, with risks seen as balanced Westpac forecasts trimmed mean of 0.93% for Q1, lifting the annua... .. read more..
Rising uncertainty reshapes reputational risk, but organisations hold firm on...
Tuesday, April 28,2026,21:00
New research from Willis, a WTW business, points to growing uncertainty around reputational risk among corporate decision-makers, driven by global instability and increasing politicisation of issues such as ESG. Findings from the 2026 Reputational Risk Readiness Survey Report indicate that organisations are less confident about how customers and other stakeholders perceive them and are increasingly ... .. read more..
US Home Price Growth Slows to Weakest Pace Since 2023
Tuesday, April 28,2026,21:00
The S&P Cotality Case-Shiller 20-City Home Price Index rose just 0.9% year-over-year in February 2026, down from 1.2% in January and below market forecasts of 1.1%. This marks the slowest annual growth since July 2023, highlighting the ongoing cooldown in the US housing market. For the ninth straight month, inflation outpaced home price appreciation, prolonging ... .. read more..
JPMorgan’s Dimon warns credit downturn will be worse than expected
Tuesday, April 28,2026,21:00
JPMorgan Chase (NYSE:JPM) CEO Jamie Dimon warned that the upcoming credit downturn will be more severe than current market expectations, speaking at the NBIM Investment Conference on Tuesday. Dimon also expressed concerns about Europe’s economic trajectory, stating the region is “slow walking into a real problem here.” He emphasized the importance of maintaining unity within ... .. read more..
Europe’s wage growth since 2020: Are Europeans better off?
Tuesday, April 28,2026,21:00
Taking into account nominal growth and inflation, real hourly wages declined by 3% in the EU over the past five years. Wage growth was stronger in non-euro area countries and in those with lower wage levels. Hourly gross wages and salaries rose from €21.5 in 2020 to €26.2 in 2025 in the EU, reflecting 21.9% ... .. read more..
Household real consumption per capita grows in both the euro area and the EU
Tuesday, April 28,2026,21:00
In the fourth quarter of 2025, household real consumption per capita increased by 0.5% in the euro area, after an increase of 0.4% in the previous quarter. In the same period, household real income per capita increased by 0.1%, after staying stable in the third quarter of 2025. These data come from a detailed set ... .. read more..
Consumer confidence surpasses expectations, indicating economic optimism
Tuesday, April 28,2026,21:00
The latest data from the Conference Board (CB) reveals a notable increase in consumer confidence, suggesting a more optimistic outlook on economic activity among consumers. According to the CB Consumer Confidence Index, the actual reading has risen to 92.8, surpassing both the forecasted figure and the previous month’s reading. Economists had anticipated a consumer confidence ... .. read more..
Mercosur: MEPs letter warns of concentration risk due to quota allocation system
Tuesday, April 28,2026,21:00
A letter obtained by Euronews is circulating among MEPs sounding the alarm on the potential abuse of the EU-Mercosur trade deal quota allocation system by South American Big Agriculture. A letter is circulating in the European Parliament warning of the concentration that might result from the system of quotas allocation contained in the EU-Mercosur Trade ... .. read more..
Bank of Japan’s hawkish hold reflects high geopolitical uncertainty
Tuesday, April 28,2026,21:00
Apparently, there was heated debate over today’s decision The Bank of Japan extended its pause at 0.75% — in line with market consensus, though against our call for a 25 bp hike. We had thought that recent data showing growing inflationary pressures, real interest rates remaining in deep negative territory, and solid “Shunto” wage-negotiation results ... .. read more..
BOJ holds interest rates; flags more hikes amid M.East inflation risks
Tuesday, April 28,2026,21:00
The Bank of Japan left interest rates unchanged as expected on Tuesday, but warned of cooling economic growth and rising inflation due to the impact of the war in the Middle East. The BOJ left its . But the decision was not unanimous, with three of the bank’s 9-member rate-setting board calling for higher interest ... .. read more..
API Weekly Crude Oil Stocks. USA, 22:30 (GMT+2)
Tuesday, April 28,2026,18:30
At 22:30 (GMT+2), the American Petroleum Institute (API) will publish its weekly report on oil reserves, gasoline volumes, and distillates. The last time, a correction was occurring from 6.100M barrels to –4.400M barrels of crude “black gold”, and the continuation of this trend is becoming a driver for strengthening the upward dynamics of energy prices. Read more .. read more..