Malaysia's economic growth moderated to one-year low in the third quarter but the overall pace of expansion remained robust as strong global demand for electronics used in artificial intelligence bolstered the manufacturing sector. Gross domestic product grew 5.3 percent in the third quarter from the last year, advance estimates from the Department of Statistics showed Friday.

Business inventories in the U.S. increased in line with economist estimates in the month of August, according to a report released by the Commerce Department on Thursday. The Commerce Department said business inventories rose by 0.4 percent in August after climbing by an upwardly revised 0.9 percent in July.

New York manufacturing activity rose sharply in the month of October, 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 surged to 25.5 in October from 7.6 in September, with a positive reading indicating growth. Economists had expected the index to rise to 10.3.

A report released by the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia on Thursday showed a steep drop by its reading on regional manufacturing activity in the month of October. The Philly Fed said its diffusion index for current general activity plunged to 20.9 in October from 37.8 in September, although a positive reading still indicates growth. Economists had expected the index to drop to 30.0.

The Commerce Department released a report on Thursday showing retail sales in the U.S. increased by much more than expected in in the month of September. The report said retail sales climbed by 0.8 percent in September after surging by an upwardly revised 1.3 percent in August. Economists had expected retail sales to rise by 0.3 percent.

Following yesterday's report on consumer price inflation, the Labor Department released a separate report on Thursday showing producer prices in the U.S. shot up by much more than expected in the month of September. The Labor Department said its producer price index for final demand jumped by 1.3 in September after rising by an upwardly revised 0.5 percent in August.

A report released by the Labor Department on Thursday showed first-time claims for U.S. unemployment benefits edged slightly higher in the week ended October 10th. The Labor Department said initial jobless claims ticked 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 200,000.

The UK economy expanded marginally in August defying expectations of a moderate contraction, as growth in industrial production offset the fall in construction.
Gross domestic product grew 0.1 percent in August from the last month, the Office for National Statistics said Thursday. Although this was weaker than the 0.4 percent growth seen in July, the rate came in contrast to the expected fall o

The euro area industrial production declined for the third straight month in August, suggesting that harsh weather and rising energy prices weighed on industrial activity. Industrial output dropped 0.5 percent on a monthly basis in August, which was bigger than the 0.3 percent fall posted in July, data from Eurostat showed Thursday.

While the Labor Department released a report on Wednesday showing consumer prices in the U.S. grew in line with estimates in the month of September, the report also showed a bigger than expected increase in core consumer prices, which exclude food and energy prices. The report said consumer prices climbed by 0.6 percent in September after rising by 0.4 percent in August.

China's consumer price inflation rose only slightly in September due to the fall in food prices, and remained sluggish when compared to global peers, while producer price inflation reached its highest level in over four years on rising commodity prices. Consumer prices rose 0.9 percent in September from a year ago, slightly faster than the 0.8 percent increase seen in August.

The Australian dollar strengthened against other major currencies in the European session on Wednesday, as the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) did not hesitate to raise interest rates further this year, according to minutes from the September meeting.

The Monetary Authority of Singapore unexpectedly kept its monetary policy unchanged on Wednesday after two consecutive tightening. The MAS maintained the rate of appreciation of the policy band. Also, there will be no change to the width of the band and the level at which it is centered, the bank said in a statement. The bank was widely expected to tighten the policy.

China exports growth accelerated more-than-expected in September on strong demand for hi-tech products, suggesting that overseas demand will help counteract the economic slowdown brought on by domestic demand and investment. Exports logged a sharp growth of 36.3 percent in September, bigger than the 25.0 percent rise in August, the General Administration of Customs reported Wednesday.

Existing home sales in the U.S. unexpectedly increased in the month of September, according to a report released by the National Association of Realtors on Tuesday. NAR said existing home sales jumped by 1.5 percent to an annual rate of 3.99 million in September after plunging by 3.2 percent to a downwardly revised rate of 3.93 million in August.

The International Monetary Fund upgraded its global growth outlook despite concerns over a more persistent energy market disruption than anticipated due to tensions in the Middle East. In the World Economic Outlook, released Tuesday, the IMF lifted its global growth outlook for this year to 3.1 percent from 3.0 percent estimated in July. But this was weaker than the 3.5 percent growth in 2025.

Australia's business sentiment deteriorated for the third straight month in September amid concerns about higher interest rates, global uncertainty and elevated fuel costs, monthly business survey results from the National Australia Bank showed Tuesday. The business sentiment index fell to -13 from -9 in August. At the same time, the business conditions index was unchanged at 1 point in September.

The U.S. Dollar rallied further during the week ended October 9 as markets digested the hawkish minutes from the recent FOMC that revealed a Fed focused on inflation combat.

The U.S. dollar strengthened against other major currencies in the European session on Monday, as trader are pricing out the likelihood of a rate hike at the Fed meeting in late October, although expectations for a 25-basis-point increase in December are still firmly on the table.

Consumer sentiment in the U.S. has deteriorated by more than expected in the month of October, according to preliminary data released by the University of Michigan on Friday. The University of Michigan said its consumer sentiment index fell to 46.3 in October from 48.1 in September. Economists had expected the index to dip to 47.6.

The Labor Department released a report on Thursday showing first-time claims for U.S. unemployment benefits unexpectedly dipped from an upwardly revised level in the week ended October 3rd. The report said initial jobless claims edged down to 197,000, a decrease of 2,000 from the previous week's revised level of 199,000.

Germany's exports registered an unexpected fall in August, while imports logged a moderate recovery, official data showed Thursday. Exports dropped 0.8 percent on a monthly basis, following a 0.5 percent decrease in July, Destatis reported. Exports were expected to grow 0.8 percent.

Most Federal Reserve officials expect to once again raise interest rates before the end of the year, according to the minutes of the central bank's September monetary policy meeting released on Wednesday. The Fed said, "Most participants assessed that another increase in the target range for the federal funds rate would likely be appropriate by year end."

India's central bank hiked interest rates for the first time in nearly four years and shifted the policy stance to "calibrated tightening", suggesting that policymakers have embarked on a rate-hiking cycle as the economy navigates a myriad of worries including surging oil prices, poor monsoon, weaker rupee and the geopolitical tensions worldwide.

The Japanese yen strengthened against other major currencies in the European session on Wednesday, following hawkish remarks by Bank of Japan (BoJ) board member Ayano Sato.