Consumer price inflation in Germany climbed in August to its highest level in five months, while the core figure was steady amid an acceleration in food price growth, and weakened chances for further easing from the European Central Bank in the near term.

The University of Michigan released a report on Friday showing consumer sentiment in the U.S. deteriorated by slightly more than previously estimated in the month of August. The report said the consumer sentiment index for August was downwardly revised to 58.2 from the preliminary reading of 58.6.

MNI Indicators released a report on Friday showing a sharp pullback by its reading on Chicago-area business activity in the month of August. The report said the Chicago business barometer tumbled to 41.5 in August after jumping to 47.1 in July, with a reading below 50 indicating contraction. Economists had expected the business barometer to edge down to 46.0.

Consumer prices in the U.S. increased in line with economist estimates in the month of July, according to closely watched data released by the Commerce Department on Friday. The Commerce Department said its personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index rose by 0.2 percent in July after climbing 0.3 percent in June. The uptick matched expectations.

Germany's unemployment exceeded the three million-mark for the first time in a decade in August as the prolonged period of subdued economic activity weighed on the labor market. The number of unemployed persons increased by 46,000 from the previous year to 3.025 million in August. However, unemployment fell by adjusted 9,000 compared to the previous month, while it was forecast to increase by 1

France's consumer price inflation softened in August on weaker growth in transport costs and the economy logged a faster growth as estimated in the second quarter, official data revealed Friday. Consumer price inflation weakened marginally to 0.9 percent in August from 1.0 percent in July, provisional data from the statistical office INSEE showed.

The antipodean currencies such as the Australia and the New Zealand dollars strengthened against their major currencies in the Asian session on Friday, as traders await the July Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) price index due later in the day.

Industrial output in South Korea added a seasonally adjusted 0.3 percent on month in July, Statistics Korea said on Friday.

A report released by the National Association of Realtors on Thursday showed pending home sales in the U.S. fell by more than expected in the month of July. NAR said its pending home sales index decreased by 0.4 percent to 71.7 in July after sliding by 0.8 percent to 72.0 in June. Economists had expected pending home sales to edge down by 0.1 percent.

Eurozone economic sentiment softened unexpectedly in August as only industry and retail trade showed improvements, survey results from the European Commission showed Thursday. The economic sentiment indicator slid to 95.2 in August from a revised 95.7 in the previous month. The score was forecast rise to 96.0.

The U.S. economy grew by more than previously estimated in the second quarter of 2025, according to revised data released by the Commerce Department on Thursday. The report said real gross domestic product shot up by 3.3 percent in the second quarter compared to the previously reported 3.0 percent surge. Economists had expected the jump in GDP to be upwardly revised to 3.1 percent.

A report released by the Labor Department on Thursday showed a modest decrease by first-time claims for U.S. unemployment benefits in the week ended August 23rd. The Labor Department said initial jobless claims dipped to 229,000, a decrease of 5,000 from the previous week's revised level of 234,000. Economists had expected jobless claims to slip to 230,000.

The Swiss economy expanded modestly in the second quarter, as estimated earlier, and higher U.S. tariffs are set to push down growth prospects, the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs said Thursday. Gross domestic product grew 0.1 percent from the first quarter, unchanged from the flash estimate. Growth softened notably from 0.7 percent in the first quarter.

The Bank of Korea left its interest rate unchanged on Thursday as economic growth improved moderately despite high uncertainty surrounding the outlook. The Monetary Policy Board decided to hold the Base Rate at 2.50 percent. The central bank had previously lowered the benchmark rate by a quarter-point each in May and February.

The U.S. dollar weakened against other major currencies in the Asian session on Thursday, after the Fed official left the door open for an interest rate cut next month.

Europe's new car sales rebounded in July on strong demand for battery electric and plug-in hybrid cars, the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association reported Thursday. Car registrations in the European Union advanced 7.4 percent year-on-year in July, offsetting June's 7.3 percent decrease. Data showed an annual rise of 39.1 percent for battery-electric and 14.3 percent for hybrid-electric

Economic confidence and monetary aggregates from the euro area and flash GDP from Switzerland are the top economic news due on Thursday. At 3.00 am ET, the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs is slated to release Swiss GDP data for the second quarter. The economy is expected to grow 0.1 percent sequentially after rising 0.5 percent in the first quarter.

The euro weakened against other major currencies in the European session on Wednesday, as trader's concern about the collapse of France's government.

German consumer confidence is set to continue to fall in September as rising fear of job losses weighed on purchase decisions and damped hopes of robust economic recovery, a closely watched survey showed on Wednesday. The forward-looking consumer sentiment index fell to -23.6 in September from -21.7 in the previous month. The reading was forecast to drop moderately to -22.

The Australian dollar strengthened against other major currencies in the Asian session on Wednesday, following the release of Australia's consumer price inflation accelerating more than expected to a one-year high in July.

Australia's consumer price inflation accelerated more than expected to a one-year high in July, indicating a more gradual approach to monetary policy easing. The CPI indicator advanced 2.8 percent year-on-year in July, following June's 1.9 percent rise, the Australian Bureau of Statistics reported. This was the strongest since July 2024.

Consumer sentiment survey data from Germany is the top economic news due on Wednesday, headlining a light day for the European economic news. At 2.00 am ET, the market research group GfK publishes Germany's monthly consumer confidence survey results. The consumer sentiment indicator is forecast to fall to -22 in September from -21.5 in August.

A report released by the Conference Board on Tuesday showing a modest deterioration by consumer confidence in the U.S. in the month of August. The Conference Board said its consumer confidence index dipped to 97.4 in August from an upwardly revised 98.7 in July.

Reflecting a continued plunge by orders for transportation equipment, the Commerce Department released a report on Tuesday showing a steep drop by new orders for U.S. manufactured durable goods in the month of July. The Commerce Department said durable goods orders slumped by 2.8 percent in July after plummeting by a revised 9.4 percent in June.

France's consumer confidence weakened to the lowest level since October 2023 largely due to the weaker outlook for standard of living and the fall in saving intentions. The consumer sentiment index edged down to 87 in August from 88 in July. This was the lowest reading since October 2023 and remained below its long-term average of 100.