The UK unemployment rate rose slightly in the third quarter and wage growth remained high but falling vacancies suggests a decrease in pay pressures, official data showed on Tuesday. The unemployment rate rose to 4.4 percent in the September to November period, as expected, from 4.3 percent in the three months to October, the Office for National Statistics revealed.

The U.S. Dollar recorded a mixed performance during the past week amidst favorable economic data and anxiety ahead of the inauguration of Donald Trump's presidency.

The commodity currencies such as Australia, the New Zealand and the Canadian dollars weakened against their major currencies in the Asian session on Tuesday, as oil prices dropped after the U.S. President Donald Trump postponed imposing fresh tariffs and unveiled a plan to increase U.S. oil and gas production.

Labor market data from the UK and economic sentiment from Germany are the top economic news due on Tuesday. At 2.00 am ET, the Office for National Statistics releases UK unemployment data. The jobless rate is forecast to remain unchanged at 4.3 percent in the three months to November.

The euro strengthened against other major currencies in the European session on Monday, as European stocks traded higher led by gains in mining and retails sectors. The mood is largely cautious with investors awaiting the inauguration of U.S. President Donald Trump later in the day.

UK house prices increased the most since 2020 and new sellers coming to the market hit a record in January, data from the property website Rightmove showed on Monday. Average house prices increased 1.7 percent in January from a month ago, marking the largest jump in prices at the start of the year since 2020. This follows a 1.7 percent fall in December.

Japan's core machinery orders growth accelerated in November, reflecting an increase in capital expenditure, official data revealed Monday. Core machinery orders increased 3.4 percent on a monthly basis, faster than the 2.1 percent increase in October, data from the Cabinet Office showed on Monday. Moreover, this was the second consecutive increase and confounded expectations for a decline.

The People's Bank of China maintained its interest rates unchanged for the third straight session on Monday as policymakers await the stance of new US administration.
The PBoC left its one-year loan prime rate at 3.10 percent. Similarly, the five-year LPR, the benchmark for mortgage rates, was held at 3.60 percent. The decision matched expectations.

After seeing considerable volatility earlier in the day, the value of the U.S. dollar has moved higher over the course of trading on Friday.

Industrial production in the U.S. increased 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 jumped by 0.9 percent in December after rising by a revised 0.2 percent in November.

A report released by the Commerce Department on Friday showed new residential construction in the U.S. surged by much more than anticipated in the month of December. The Commerce Department said housing starts soared by 15.8 percent to an annual rate of 1.499 million in December after tumbling by 3.7 percent to a revised rate of 1.294 million in November.

UK retail sales declined unexpectedly in December despite the festive season as food sales logged its worst performance since 2013, data from the Office for National Statistics showed Friday. Retail sales volume decreased 0.3 percent on a monthly basis in December, in contrast to the revised 0.1 percent gain in November. The decline confounded expectations for an increase of 0.4 percent.

Malaysia's economy logged a softer growth in the fourth quarter as expansions in manufacturing and construction weakened but the overall growth for 2024 came within the government forecast. Gross domestic product climbed 4.8 percent from a year ago in the fourth quarter, advance estimates from the Department of Statistics showed on Friday. But this was weaker than the 5.3 percent expansion.

The British pound weakened against other major currencies in the European session on Friday, as U.K. retail sales declined unexpectedly in December on falling food store sales.

The Japanese yen extended its early strength against other major currencies in the Asian session on Tuesday, as traders await the highly anticipated Bank of Japan (BoJ) monetary policy meeting next week.

Retail sales from the UK and final inflation from the euro area are the top economic news due on Friday. At 2.00 am ET, the Office for National Statistics releases UK retail sales for December. Sales are forecast to grow 0.4 percent on month, following a 0.2 percent in November.

China's economy achieved its official growth target in 2024 as series of stimulus measures late last year revived industrial production and spending, and exports increased ahead of potential tariff hikes by the US administration. Gross domestic product expanded 5.4 percent on year in the fourth quarter, faster than the 4.6 percent growth in the third quarter, the National Bureau of Statistics re

The U.S. dollar turned in a weak performance on Thursday, weighed down by dovish remarks from Federal Reserve Governor Waller that suggested.

European Central Bank policymakers were looking forward to more interest rate cuts, but they saw the need for a cautious approach due to several uncertainties that could derail inflation from its path to the 2 percent target, the minutes of the December 11-12 policy session showed on Thursday.

Reflecting hopes for an improved economic growth and regulatory environment, the National Association of Home Builders released a report on Thursday unexpectedly showing a modest improvement by U.S. homebuilder confidence in the month of January. The report said the NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index crept up to 47 in January from 46 in December.

The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia released a report on Thursday showing a substantial turnaround by regional manufacturing activity in the month of January. The Philly Fed said its diffusion index for current general activity skyrocketed to a positive 44.3 in January from a negative 10.9 in December, with a positive reading indicating growth.

Following yesterday's more closely watched report on consumer price inflation, the Labor Department released a report on Thursday showing import prices in the U.S. crept up in line with estimates in the month of December. The Labor Department said import prices inched up by 0.1 percent in December, matching the upticks seen in November and October as well as expectations.

The Commerce Department released a report on Thursday showing retail sales in the U.S. increased by less than expected in the month of December. The report said retail sales rose by 0.4 percent in December after advancing by an upwardly revised 0.8 percent in November. Economists had expected retail sales to climb by 0.6 percent.

A report released by the Labor Department on Thursday showed first-time claims for U.S. unemployment benefits rebounded by more than expected in the week ended January 11th. The Labor Department said initial jobless claims climbed to 217,000, an increase of 14,000 from the previous week's revised level of 203,000. Economists had expected jobless claims to rise to 210,000.

The UK economy grew only marginally in November underpinned by the services sector, after two consecutive contractions, official data showed, which has strengthened the scope for more monetary policy easing from the Bank of England as inflation also softened unexpectedly at the end of 2024. Gross domestic product edged up 0.1 percent on a monthly basis in November.