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.