Consumer confidence in the U.S. unexpectedly improved in the month of March, according to a report released by the Conference Board on Tuesday. The Conference Board said its consumer confidence index inched up to 91.8 in March from a downwardly revised 91.0 in February.

A report released by MNI Indicators showed its reading on Chicago-area business activity decreased by more than expected in March but still indicated growth. MNI Indicators said its Chicago business barometer slumped to 52.8 in March after climbing to 57.7 in February. Economists had expected the index to drop to 54.0.

German unemployment remained unchanged in March, highlighting the resilience of the country's job market, data from the Federal Employment Agency showed Tuesday. The unemployment rate remained unchanged at 6.3 percent in March and matched expectations. The number of people out of work also remained at the same level as in February, at 2.977 million, data showed.

Eurozone inflation accelerated to the highest since early 2025 as energy prices surged amid the war in Iran, official data showed Tuesday. Inflation rose to 2.5 percent in March from 1.9 percent in February, flash estimate from Eurostat revealed. A similar higher rate was last seen in January 2025. Inflation exceeded the European Central Bank's 2 percent target.

France consumer prices grew the most since August 2024 as the war in Middle East pushed up energy prices, flash data from the statistical office INSEE revealed Tuesday.
Consumer price inflation rose to 1.7 percent in March from 0.9 percent in February, marking the sharpest rise since August 2024, when prices were up 1.8 percent.

The Korean won declined against the U.S. dollar in the European session on Tuesday.

UK house prices increased at a faster pace in March suggesting that the housing market regained some momentum, data from the Nationwide Building Society showed Tuesday. The annual growth in house prices rose to 2.2 percent in March from 1.0 percent in February. On a monthly basis, house prices moved up 0.9 percent, much faster than the 0.3 percent increase seen in February.

Flash inflation from euro area and unemployment from Germany are due on Tuesday, headlining a hectic day for the European economic news. At 2.00 am ET, the Office for National Statistics releases UK revised GDP data for the fourth quarter. The preliminary estimate showed that the economy grew 0.1 percent sequentially in the fourth quarter.

The U.S. Dollar rebounded emphatically against major currencies during the week ended March 27, buoyed by safe haven demand attributed to uncertainty surrounding the trajectory of the Middle East war.

Germany's inflation accelerated in March as energy prices increased for the first time since late 2023 due to the Iran war, preliminary data from Destatis showed on Monday.
The consumer price index rose 2.7 percent year-on-year in March, faster than February's 1.9 percent gain. The rate came in line with expectations.

Eurozone economic confidence weakened to a six-month low in March and price expectations increased after the outbreak of the Middle East war, monthly survey results from the European Commission showed Monday. The economic confidence index fell to 96.6 in March, the highest since last September, from 98.2 in the previous month. The score was seen at 96.5.

UK mortgage approvals increased to three-month high in February and consumer credit rose slightly, data from the Bank of England showed Monday. Net mortgage approvals for house purchases increased to 62,600 in February from 60,200 in January. Approvals were expected to rise moderately to 61,000. Data showed that net borrowing of mortgage debt by individuals increased to GBP 4.8 billion.

Economic sentiment from the euro area and flash inflation from Germany are the top economic news due on Monday. At 3.00 am ET, Spain's statistical office INE publishes retail sales data for February. Sales are forecast to grow 3.8 percent on a yearly basis after rising 4 percent in January.

Consumer sentiment in the U.S. deteriorated by more than previously estimated in the month of March, according to revised data released by the University of Michigan on Friday. The University of Michigan said its consumer sentiment index for March was downwardly revised to 53.3 from a preliminary reading of 55.5. Economists had expected the index to be downwardly revised to 54.0.

A report released by the Labor Department on Thursday showed a modest increase in first-time claims for U.S. unemployment benefits in the week ended March 21st. The Labor Department said initial jobless claims rose to 210,000, an increase of 5,000 from the previous week's unrevised level of 205,000. The uptick came in line with economist estimates.

Norway's central bank left its benchmark interest rate unchanged on Thursday but signaled future hike to tackle rising inflation fueled by the Middle East conflict. The Monetary and Financial Stability Committee of Norges Bank decided to hold the policy rate at 4.00 percent. The bank had reduced the rate by 25 basis points each in September and June.

German consumer sentiment is set to deteriorate in April due to economic concerns over the war in Iran, survey results published jointly by NIQ/GfK and the Nuremberg Institute for Market Decisions showed Thursday. The forward-looking consumer sentiment index fell to -28.0 in April from -24.8 in the previous month. The score was forecast to fall moderately to -27.3.

Partly reflecting a significant rebound in prices for fuel imports, the Labor Department released a report on Wednesday showing U.S. import prices increased by much more than expected in the month of February. The Labor Department said import prices jumped by 1.3 percent in February after climbing by an upwardly revised 0.6 percent in January.

UK consumer price inflation remained stable in February, but potential spikes in inflation may prompt the Bank of England to keep the interest rates on hold for an extended period. Consumer prices logged a steady growth of 3.0 percent in February, the Office for National Statistics said. The rate came in line with expectations.

German business confidence declined to a 13-month low in March as the war in the Middle East weighed on expectations, survey data from the ifo Institute revealed Wednesday. The business climate index fell to 86.4 in March from 88.4 in February. Although the reading was slightly above the forecast of 86.2, this was the lowest since February 2025.

Consumer prices from the UK and business sentiment from Germany are due on Wednesday, headlining a busy day for the European economic news. At 3.00 am ET, the Office for Statistics releases UK consumer and producer prices. Inflation is seen unchanged at 3.0 percent in February. Output prices are expected to climb 2.6 percent in February after rising 2.5 percent in January.

The UK private sector registered a marked slowdown in business activity growth in March due to adverse impact of the war in the Middle East, survey results from S&P Global showed Tuesday. The flash composite output index fell more-than-expected to 51.0 in March from 53.7 in February. The score was expected to climb to 52.8.

The euro area private sector growth eased to a ten-month low in March amid a reduction in new orders, and input cost inflation reached the strongest in over three years following the outbreak of war in the Middle East, data published by S&P Global showed Tuesday. The flash composite output index posted 50.5 in March, down from 51.9 in February. The score fell below forecast of 51.0.

Europe's new car registrations recovered in February driven by higher demand for battery electric and plug-in hybrid cars, the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association, or ACEA, said Tuesday. Car registrations grew 1.4 percent year-on-year in February, in contrast to the 3.9 percent fall in January.

Flash Purchasing Managers' survey data from the euro area and the UK are the top economic news due on Tuesday. At 4.15 am ET, S&P Global is scheduled to issue France's flash manufacturing and services PMI survey results. The factory PMI is expected to fall to 49.4 in March from 50.1 in February. Likewise, the services PMI is seen falling to 49.2 from 49.6.