With a decrease in retail inventories offsetting increases in manufacturing and wholesale inventories, the Commerce Department released a report on Friday showing business inventories in the U.S. were unexpectedly flat in the month of June. The Commerce Department said business inventories came in virtually unchanged in June after climbing by an upwardly revised 0.4 percent in May.

Preliminary data released by the University of Michigan on Friday showed consumer sentiment in the U.S. has deteriorated by much more than anticipated in the month of August. The University of Michigan said its consumer sentiment index tumbled to 51.0 in August after surging to 55.2 in July. Economists had expected the index to dip to 54.2.

A report released by the Commerce Department on Friday showed an unexpected decline in retail sales in the U.S. in the month of July. The Commerce Department said retail sales fell by 0.6 percent in July after rising by 0.2 percent in June. Economists had expected retail sales to inch up by 0.1 percent.

Malaysia's economic growth strengthened more than estimated in the second quarter, driven by private consumption expenditure and investment, official data revealed Friday. Gross domestic product expanded 6.0 percent in the second quarter, which was revised up from the initial estimate of 5.0 percent, the Department of Statistics said. This followed first quarter's 5.4 percent growth.

A report released by the Labor Department on Thursday showed producer prices in the U.S. unexpectedly came in flat in the month of July. The Labor Department said its producer price index for final demand was unchanged in July after edging down by a revised 0.1 percent in June.

First-time claims for U.S. unemployment benefits climbed by more than expected in the week ended August 8th, according to a report released by the Labor Department on Thursday. The report said initial jobless claims rose to 209,000, an increase of 9,000 from the previous week's revised level of 200,000. Economists had expected jobless claims to inch up to 203,000.

The UK economy grew 0.4% in Q2 as household consumption and gross fixed capital formation drove expansion. Household spending rose 0.3% while business investment climbed 1.7%. Government spending declined 0.3%, the Office for National Statistics reported.

The antipodean currencies such as the Australia and the New Zealand dollars weakened against other major currencies in the Asian session on Thursday, as traders remain cautious amid the resurgence of Middle East tensions and the resulting recent spike in crude oil prices, fueling inflation concerns. Fairly tame US consumer price data eased concerns about the outlook for interest rates as inflation rose in line with estimates.

Consumer prices in the U.S. crept slightly higher in the month of July, according to a closely watched report released by the Labor Department on Wednesday. The report said consumer prices inched up by 0.1 percent in July after falling by 0.4 percent in June. The uptick in consumer prices matched economist estimates.

The New Zealand dollar weakened against other major currencies in the European session on Wednesday, as European stocks traded lower as oil prices remain elevated on growing concerns about prolonged disruptions to supply.

After reporting a notable pullback in existing home sales in the U.S, in the previous month, the National Association of Realtors released a report on Tuesday showing existing home sales saw further downside in the month of July. NAR said existing home sales tumbled by 1.7 percent to an annual rate of 4.06 million in July.

The Canadian dollar strengthened against other major currencies in the European session on Tuesday, as the crude oil held on to a four-day rally to hit over one-week high amid fading hopes for a deal between Washington and Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global energy supplies.

Australia's Reserve Bank held its cash rate at 4.35% following three increases since the start of the year. Policymakers indicated they will raise rates further if inflation risks escalate, with expectations for return to target delayed until late 2027.

An unexpected decline in non-farm payrolls in the U.S. dramatically dragged down rate hike expectations from the Federal Reserve, and with it the U.S. Dollar, during the week ended August 7.

Eurozone investor confidence returned to positive territory in August, driven by robust economic data, survey data from the behavioral research institute Sentix showed Monday.
The sentix Economic Sentiment Index rose to 0.9 in August from -3.1 in July. The score was expected to improve to -0.7.

A closely watched report released by the Labor Department on Friday unexpectedly showed a modest decrease in U.S. employment in the month of July. The Labor Department said non-farm payroll employment dipped by 23,000 jobs in July compared to economist estimates for an increase of about 88,000 jobs.

Germany's industrial production expanded for the third straight month in June, suggesting that the sector remains resilient despite the war in the Middle East and rising energy prices, data from Destatis revealed Friday. Industrial production logged a monthly growth of 0.2 percent, following May's revised 0.7 percent increase. Output was expected to remain flat after rising for two straight month

Despite geopolitical tensions, China's exports logged a double-digit growth in July largely driven by demand for hi-tech products, data from the customs office showed Friday. Exports advanced 23.9 percent on a yearly basis in July, faster than economists' forecast of 22.2 percent. However, the pace of growth moderated from 27.0 percent seen in June.

The Philippine economy grew at the weakest pace since early 2021 as the war in the Middle-east and corruption scandals weighed on investment and spending, official data showed Friday. Gross domestic product expanded 2.3 percent year-on-year in the second quarter, marking the slowest rate since the first quarter of 2021, the Philippine Statistics Authority said.

UK house prices stalled in July amid a more uncertain economic backdrop this year, data published by Lloyds Banking Group showed Friday. House prices posted a flat growth in July, following a 0.2 percent rise in June. Prices were expected to climb again by 0.2 percent.

A report released by the Commerce Department on Thursday showed wholesale inventories in the U.S. increased by slightly less than expected in the month of June. The Commerce Department said wholesale inventories rose by 0.2 percent in June after climbing by 0.3 percent in May. Economists had expected wholesale inventories to increase by another 0.3 percent.

The Labor Department released a report on Thursday showing labor productivity in the U.S. increased by much more than expected in the second quarter of 2026. The report said labor productivity shot up by 1.4 percent in the second quarter after climbing by an upwardly revised 0.8 percent in the first quarter. Economists had expected labor productivity to rise by 0.7 percent.

A report released by the Labor Department on Thursday showed first-time claims for U.S. unemployment benefits crept slightly higher in the week ended August 1st. The Labor Department said initial jobless claims inched up to 199,000, an increase of 1,000 from the previous week's revised level of 198,000. Economists had expected jobless claims to rise to 202,000.

Germany's factory orders logged a stronger-than-expected growth in June but the expansion was driven by large scale orders, data from Destatis revealed Thursday. Factory orders increased 3.1 percent on a monthly basis in June, faster than economists' forecast of 0.5 percent. However, the monthly increase for May was revised down sharply to 0.3 percent from 1.9 percent.

Eurozone retail sales declined unexpectedly in June after rising moderately in May, suggesting a meagre contribution by consumption to economic growth, official data revealed Thursday. Retail sales decreased 0.3 percent in June from May, Eurostat reported. Sales had increased 0.4 percent in May but fell 0.4 percent in April.