Consumer sentiment in the U.S. has unexpectedly seen a continued improvement in the month of February, according to preliminary data released by the University of Michigan on Friday. The University of Michigan said its consumer sentiment index rose to 57.3 in February after jumping to 56.4 in January. Economists had expected the index to dip to 55.5.

The Reserve Bank of India decided to hold its benchmark rates on Friday, as economic growth momentum is expected to be sustained, with the signing of a trade deal with the EU and the progress made on US trade agreement. At the meeting, the Monetary Policy Committee, governed by Sanjay Malhotra, unanimously decided to keep the policy repo rate unchanged at 5.25 percent. The MPC also voted to conti

Germany's industrial production declined more than expected in December, while exports bounced back on rising shipments to the US and China, official data revealed Friday. Industrial output decreased 1.9 percent month-on-month in December, reversing a 0.2 percent rise in November, Destatis reported. This was much bigger than the expected fall of 0.2 percent.

UK house prices rebounded at a stronger-than-expected pace in January, reaching a record high, data from the mortgage lender Halifax showed Friday. House prices increased 0.7 percent on a yearly basis in January, following a fall of 0.5 percent in December. Year-on-year, growth in house prices accelerated to 1.0 percent.

Industrial production and foreign trade from Germany and house prices from the UK are due on Friday. At 2.00 am ET, Destatis releases Germany's industrial output and foreign trade figures. Economists forecast industrial production to fall 0.2 percent month-on-month in December, in contrast to the 0.8 percent rise in November.

The commodity currencies such as Australia, the New Zealand and the Canadian dollars weakened against their major currencies in the Asian session on Friday, as Asian stock markets traded lower hurt by continued weakness in technology stocks which mirror their peers on the tech-heavy Nasdaq amid concerns about valuations and the impact of artificial intelligence.

A report released by the Labor Department on Thursday showed first-time claims for U.S. unemployment benefits rose by much more than expected in the week ended January 31st. The Labor Department said initial jobless claims climbed to 231,000, an increase of 22,000 from the previous week's unrevised level of 209,000. Economists had expected jobless claims to inch up to 212,000.

The European Central Bank on Thursday left interest rates unchanged for a fifth policy session in a row, as expected, despite concerns over a challenging global economy that is pressured by the ongoing trade wars and geopolitical conflicts.

The Bank of England maintained its interest rate in a close decision on Thursday and signaled rate cut as inflation is expected to fall back in the near term. The Monetary Policy Committee, governed by Andrew Bailey, voted 5-4 to hold the bank rate at 3.75 percent, which was the lowest since early 2023. The restrictiveness of policy has fallen as Bank Rate has been reduced by 150 basis points.

Eurozone retail sales declined more than expected in December due to the fall in non-food product turnover, official data showed Thursday. Retail sales fell 0.5 percent month-on-month in December, marking the first fall in four months, Eurostat said. The decline followed November's 0.1 percent rise. Sales were forecast to drop 0.2 percent.

The downturn in the UK construction sector slowed at the start of the year, survey data from S&P Global revealed Thursday. The construction Purchasing Managers' Index registered 46.4 in January, up from December's five-and-a-half year low of 40.1. The score was well above economists' forecast of 42.2.

The Indian rupee strengthened against the U.S. dollar in the Asian session on Thursday, in the optimism around the US-India trade agreement.

The commodity currencies such as Australia, the New Zealand and the Canadian dollars weakened against their major currencies in the Asian session on Thursday amid increasing risk-off sentiment, reflecting the continued weakness in technology stocks which mirrored their peers on the tech-heavy Nasdaq amid valuation concerns. Traders also remain cautions as they focus on the Russia-Ukraine peace talks that began in the U.A.E. and the upcoming U.S.-Iran talks in Oman.

German factory orders grew the most in two years in December, driven by the surge in large-scale orders, official data revealed Thursday. Factory orders advanced unexpectedly by 7.8 percent from November, Destatis reported. This was the biggest growth since December 2023 and confounded expectations for a fall of 1.8 percent.

Indonesia's economy expanded at the fastest pace in more than three years in the fourth quarter, fuelled by a surge in investment and household spending, official data showed on Thursday. Gross domestic product grew 5.39 percent year-on-year in the fourth quarter, faster than the 5.04 percent expansion logged in the third quarter.

A report released by the Institute for Supply Management on Wednesday showed its reading on U.S. service sector activity came in unchanged in the month of January. The ISM said its services PMI came in at 53.8 in January, unchanged from a revised reading in December. A reading above 50 indicates growth in the sector.

Payroll processor ADP released a report on Wednesday showing private sector employment in the U.S. increased by much less than expected in the month of January. ADP said private sector employment rose by 22,000 jobs in January after climbing by a downwardly revised 37,000 jobs in December.

Eurozone inflation fell below the 2 percent target in January on falling energy prices and a stronger euro, official data showed on Wednesday. The harmonized index of consumer prices rose 1.7 percent on a yearly basis in January, as expected, following December's 2.0 percent increase, flash data from Eurostat revealed.

The UK service sector grew the most in five months in January amid strong growth in output and new work, final data from S&P Global showed on Wednesday.

The euro area private sector logged its weakest growth in January due to the weakening of growth in services activity, final data from S&P Global showed on Wednesday. The final composite output index posted 51.3 in January, the lowest score since last September. The score remained below the initial estimate and the December's level of 51.5.

The Japanese yen weakened against other major currencies in the Asian session on Wednesday, due to political unpredictability and fiscal worries.

Flash inflation and final composite Purchasing Managers' survey results from the euro area are the top economic news due on Wednesday. At 3.15 am ET, Spain's services and composite PMI survey results are due. Economists expect services PMI to fall to 56.6 in January from 57.1 in the previous month. At 3.45 am ET, S&P Global publishes Italy's services and composite PMI data.

China service sector growth improved in January, driven by stronger growth in new business, survey data from S&P Global showed on Wednesday. The headline RatingDog services Purchasing Managers' Index rose to 52.3 from 52.0 in December. The latest rise in services activity was the strongest in three months.

Flash inflation from France and unemployment from Spain are the top economic news due on Tuesday. At 2.00 am ET, the Turkish Statistical Institute is scheduled to issue consumer and producer price data. Consumer price inflation is expected to ease to 30.0 percent in January from 30.89 percent in December.

The Reserve Bank of Australia raised its benchmark rate for the first time since November 2023 as inflation is expected to remain above target in the near term. The policy board governed by Michele Bullock decided to lift the cash rate target by 25 basis points to 3.85 percent. The Board judged that inflation is likely to remain above target for some time.