The U.K. manufacturing ended the year 2025 on a positive note with the sector expanding at the fastest pace in 15 months on increased production and stronger demand, results of a survey by the S&P Global showed on Friday.

The euro area manufacturing activity contracted the most since March 2025 with production levels falling for the first time since last February, the survey compiled by S&P Global showed Friday. The HCOB final manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index declined to 48.8 in December from 49.6 in November. The flash score was 49.2.

The euro weakened against other major currencies in the European session on Friday, after data showed that the euro area manufacturing activity contracted the most since March 2025 with production levels falling for the first time since last February.

UK house prices grew at the slowest pace since April 2024 largely due to the high base effects, data from the Nationwide Building Society showed on Friday. House prices posted an annual growth of 0.6 percent in December, which was weaker than the 1.8 percent rise in November. Prices were expected to climb 1.2 percent.

Final factory Purchasing Managers' survey results from the euro area and the UK are the top economic news due on Friday. At 2.00 am ET, UK Nationwide house price data is due. House prices are forecast to grow 1.2 percent on a yearly basis in December, following prior month's 1.8 percent gain.

Singapore's economic growth accelerated in the fourth quarter driven by strong expansions in the biomedical and pharmaceutical output, advance estimates from the Ministry of Trade and Industry revealed on Friday. Gross domestic product grew 5.7 percent on a yearly basis in the fourth quarter, outpacing the 4.3 percent increase seen in the third quarter.

First-time claims for U.S. unemployment benefits unexpectedly dipped in the week ended December 27th, according to a report released by the Labor Department on Wednesday. The report said initial jobless claims fell to 199,000, a decrease of 16,000 from the previous week's revised level of 215,000. Economists had expected jobless claims to rise to 220,000.

China's manufacturing activity rebounded in December as manufacturing output returned to growth amid higher inflows of new work, survey data from S&P Global showed on Wednesday. The RatingDog headline factory Purchasing Managers' Index posted 50.1 in December, up from 49.9 in November. A score above 50.0 indicates expansion.

Following a split decision to lower interest rates by another quarter point last month, the minutes of the Federal Reserve's December meeting provided further clarification about officials' mixed views about the outlook for rates. The minutes revealed participants expressed a "range of views" about the restrictiveness of the Fed's current monetary policy stance.

A report released by MNI Indicators on Tuesday showed a significant rebound by its reading on Chicago-area business activity in the month of December. MNI Indicators said its Chicago business barometer jumped to 43.5 in December after plunging to 36.3 in November. Economists had expected the index to rise to 39.5.

A report released by the National Association of Realtors on Monday showed pending home sales in the U.S. shot up by much more than expected in the month of November. NAR said its pending home sales index spiked by 3.3 percent to 79.2 in November after surging by 2.4 percent to an upwardly revised 76.7 in October.

India's industrial production rebounded the most in two years in November on strong growth in manufacturing and mining sectors, official data revealed on Monday. Industrial production registered an annual growth of 6.7 percent in November, following October's 0.5 percent increase, the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation reported.

Policymakers of the Bank of Japan said the real policy interest rate remains the lowest globally and it is desirable to steadily raise the rate to support economy and curb inflationary pressures, the summary of opinions at the monetary policy meeting held on December 18 and 19 showed Monday.