A report released by the National Association of Home Builders on Friday showed an unexpected deterioration in U.S. homebuilder confidence in the month of January. The report said the NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index dipped to 37 in January from 39 in December. Economists had expected the index to inch up to 40.

Industrial production in the U.S. grew by much more than expected in the month of December, according to a report released by the Federal Reserve on Friday. The Fed said industrial production climbed by 0.4 percent in December, matching an upwardly revised increase in November. Economists had expected industrial production to inch up by 0.1 percent.

Malaysia's economy logged its fastest growth since the second quarter of 2024, fuelled by robust domestic demand, official data showed on Friday. Gross domestic product expanded 5.7 percent year-on-year in the second quarter, accelerating from the 5.2 percent growth in the prior quarter, advance estimates from the Department of Statistics revealed.

New York manufacturing activity increased modestly in the month of January, according to a report released by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on Thursday. The New York Fed said its general business conditions index jumped to a positive 7.7 in January from a negative 3.7 in December, with a positive reading indicating growth. Economists had expected the index to climb to a positive 1.0.

The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia released a report on Thursday showing a sharp increase by its reading on regional manufacturing activity in the month January. The Philly Fed said its diffusion index for current general activity surged to a positive 12.6 in January from a negative 8.8 in December, with a positive reading indicating growth.

First-time claims for U.S. unemployment benefits unexpectedly dipped in the week ended January 10th, the Labor Department revealed in a report released on Thursday. The Labor Department said initial jobless claims fell to 198,000, a decrease of 9,000 from the previous week's revised level of 207,000. Economists had expected jobless claims to rise to 215,000.

The UK economy recovered at a stronger-than-expected pace in November, driven by a surge in car manufacturing and services output, official data showed on Thursday. Gross domestic product logged a monthly growth of 0.3 percent, reversing the 0.1 percent drop seen in October, the Office for National Statistics said. GDP was expected to grow marginally by 0.1 percent.

The German economy expanded in 2025 after two years of recession as household and government spending offset weakness in exports and investment. Gross domestic product posted an annual growth of 0.2 percent in 2025, reversing the 0.5 percent fall in 2024 and the 0.9 percent decline in 2023, Destatis reported Thursday. "After two years of recession, the German economy edged back into growth."

The German economy expanded in 2025 after two years of recession as household and government spending offset weakness in exports and investment. Gross domestic product posted an annual growth of 0.2 percent in 2025, reversing the 0.5 percent fall in 2024 and the 0.9 percent decline in 2023, Destatis reported Thursday. "After two years of recession, the German economy edged back into growth."

The Canadian dollar weakened against other major currencies in the European session on Thursday, as the crude oil prices fell for the first time in six days amid easing geopolitical tensions.

The Bank of Korea retained its key interest rate again on Thursday and signaled a prolonged pause to the policy easing as weaker won poses an upside risk to inflation.
The Monetary Policy Board decided to maintain the Base Rate at 2.50 percent. The decision came in line with forecast. The central bank had previously lowered the benchmark rate by a quarter-point each in May and February 2025.

A report released by the Commerce Department on Wednesday showing business inventories in the U.S. increased by slightly more than expected in the month of October.

Existing home sales in the U.S. surged by much more than expected in the month of December, according to a report released by the National Association of Realtors on Wednesday. NAR said existing home sales spiked by 5.1 percent to an annual rate of 4.35 million in December after climbing by 0.7 percent to an upwardly revised rate of 4.14 million in November.

A report released by the Labor Department on Wednesday showed a modest increase by U.S. producer prices in the month of November. The Labor Department said its producer price index for final demand rose by 0.2 percent in November after inching up by 0.1 percent in October. The uptick in prices matched economist estimates.

Retail sales in the U.S. increased by more than expected in the month of November, according to a report released by the Commerce Department on Wednesday. The Commerce Department said retail sales climbed by 0.6 percent in November after edging down by a revised 0.1 percent in October.

China registered a record trade surplus in 2025 as it shifted its export focus to Southeast Asia, Africa, Europe and Latin America. Exports increased 6.6 percent year-on-year in December, faster than the 5.9 percent rise in November, the customs office reported Wednesday. Imports climbed 5.7 percent from the last year, following a 1.9 percent rise in November.

The Japanese yen continued to weaken against other major currencies in the Asian session on Wednesday, as worries over Japan's political future were raised, following suggestions that Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi could call an early snap election.

Heads of several central banks across the world expressed their support for Fed Chair Jerome Powell in his fight against the Trump administration that is threatening him with criminal charges, in an assault on central bank independence. The action against Powell, whose term ends in May, is also seen as a message from the Trump administration to whomever succeeds him to toe the line.

The Commerce Department released a report on Tuesday showing new home sales in the U.S. edged slightly lower in the month of October. The report said new home sales slipped by 0.1 percent to an annual rate of 737,000 in October after surging by 3.8 percent to an annual rate of 738,000 in September. Economists had expected new home sales to come in at an annual rate of 710,000.

Consumer prices in the U.S. increased in line with economist estimates in the month of December, according to a report released by the Labor Department on Tuesday. The Labor Department said its consumer price index climbed by 0.3 percent in December, matching economist expectations.

The Japanese yen weakened against other major currencies in the European session on Tuesday, due to speculation that Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi may call a snap election.

Australia's consumer confidence weakened in January as consumers became more concerned about what 2026 may bring for family finances and the wider economy, Westpac said on Tuesday. The consumer confidence index dropped to 92.9 in January from 94.5 in December.
Data showed that the January decline centred on expectations for the year ahead.

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell revealed on Sunday that the U.S. central bank has been served subpoenas by the Department of Justice that threaten criminal charges, raising concerns that the Trump administration is trying to undermine the institution's independence. The action against Powell is also seen as a message from the administration to whomever succeeds him to toe the line.

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell revealed on Sunday that the U.S. central bank has been served subpoenas by the Department of Justice that threaten criminal charges, raising concerns that the Trump administration is trying to undermine the institution's independence. The action against Powell is also seen as a message from the administration to whomever succeeds him to toe the line.

Eurozone investor confidence improved to a six-month high in January, a survey conducted by the behavioral research institute Sentix showed on Monday. The Sentix investor confidence rose more-than-expected to -1.8 in January from -6.2 in December. The score was forecast to rise moderately to -5.1. The improvement was driven by expectations, which rose to 10.0 from 4.8.