A report released by the University of Michigan on Friday showed consumer sentiment in the U.S. improved more than previously estimated in the month of July. The University of Michigan said its consumer sentiment index for July was upwardly revised to 55.2 from a preliminary reading of 54.4. Economists had expected the index to be downwardly revised to 54.2.

Chicago-area business activity unexpectedly increased at a slightly faster rate in the month of July, according to a report released by MNI Indicators on Friday. MNI Indicators said its Chicago business barometer rose to 57.6 in July from 56.7 in June, with a reading above 50 indicating growth. Economists had expected the index to edge down to 56.0.

Germany's unemployment increased unexpectedly in July, official data showed Friday. The unemployment rate rose to 6.4 percent in July from 6.3 percent in June, the Federal Employment Agency reported. The rate was expected to remain unchanged at 6.3 percent.

The Bank of Japan maintained its key interest rate on Friday after a quarter-point hike in June but the governor signaled a possible rate hike in September and the bank assessed that the underlying inflation could overshoot the target. The BoJ policy board voted 8-1 to retain the interest rate at 1.00 percent. The bank had raised its benchmark rate by 25 basis points in June.

The Japanese yen weakened against other major currencies in the Asian session on Friday, after the Bank of Japan maintained its key interest rate, as widely expected, after raising the rate in June.

UK house prices grew at a slower pace in July as geopolitical tensions and fears of interest rate hikes weighed on property demand, data from mortgage lender Nationwide Building Society revealed Friday. House prices registered an annual increase of 1.8 percent after rising 2.2 percent in June. Prices were expected to grow 1.9 percent.

Consumer price inflation in Germany accelerated at a faster than expected pace in July to its strongest in three months as energy prices surged after the government's fuel tax rebate ended and also due to the intensification of the conflict in the Middle East. The inflation shoot up in the biggest euro area economy has raised the speculation regarding an interest rate hike in September.

U.S. economic growth unexpectedly slowed in the second quarter of 2026, according to a report released by the Commerce Department on Thursday. The report said real gross domestic product jumped by 1.5 percent in the second quarter after surging by 2.1 percent in the first quarter. Economists had expected GDP to shoot up by 2.3 percent.

A report released by the Commerce Department on Thursday showed a modest pullback in U.S. consumer prices in the month of June. The report said the personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index slipped by 0.1 percent in June after climbing by an upwardly revised 0.5 in May.

The Labor Department released a report on Thursday showing a modest rebound in first-time claims for U.S. unemployment benefits in the week ended July 25th. The report said initial jobless claims rose to 197,000, an increase of 9,000 from the previous week's revised level of 188,000.

The Bank of England maintained its interest rate in a split vote as renewed tensions in the Middle East reignited fears of high inflation becoming persistent. The Monetary Policy Committee, led by Governor Andrew Bailey, voted 6-3 to hold the bank rate at 3.75 percent, which is the lowest rate since June 2023. Previously, the central bank had reduced the rate by 25 basis points each in August.

Germany's economy grew 0.2% in Q2, surpassing forecasts amid strong export performance. Year-on-year calendar-adjusted growth accelerated to 0.9% from expected 0.6% slowdown. According to provisional data, exports expanded from the first quarter. Final consumption expenditure showed a subdued trend, while capital formation declined in the second quarter.

France's economy rebounded in the second quarter with 0.2% sequential GDP growth, driven by household consumption and export gains. Exports surged 2.6% while domestic demand contributed positively to growth, according to INSEE data.

In a widely expected move, the Federal Reserve on Wednesday announced that it has once again decided to leave interest rates unchanged following its two-day monetary policy meeting. The Fed said it decided to maintain the target range for the federal funds rate at 3-1/2 to 3-3/4 percent, keeping rates unchanged for the fifth consecutive meeting.

UK mortgage approvals increased in June despite rising borrowing costs, data published by the Bank of England revealed Wednesday. Mortgage approvals for house purchases, an indicator of future borrowing, increased to 58,200 in June from 56,600 in May. Similarly, approvals for remortgaging increased in June, to 34,200 from 33,800 in the previous month.

The Australian dollar weakened against other major currencies in the Asian session on Wednesday, following the release of soft Australian consumer inflation figures in June.

Australia's consumer price inflation slowed to a four-month low in June on lower fuel prices and underlying inflation remained stable, easing pressure on the central bank for further policy tightening. The consumer price index posted an annual increase of 3.8 percent in June, following a 4.0 percent rise in May, the Australian Bureau of Statistics said Wednesday.

Consumer confidence in the U.S. unexpectedly deteriorated in the month of July, according to a report released by the Conference Board on Tuesday. The Conference Board said its consumer confidence index dipped to 90.8 in July from an upwardly revised 92.2 in June.

New orders for U.S. manufactured durable goods rebounded by much less than expected in the month of June, according to a report released by the Commerce Department on Monday. The Commerce Department said durable goods orders rose by 0.3 percent in June after tumbling by a revised 4.0 percent in May. Economists had expected durable goods orders to jump by 1.7 percent.

The U.S. Dollar staged a strong comeback during the week ended July 24 amidst a renewed flare-up in the Middle East and a jump in crude oil prices that threatened to goad the Federal Reserve into an aggressively hawkish monetary policy. Fresh trade tariff jitters from the U.S. also boosted the dollar.

German business confidence strengthened in July as companies became less pessimistic about future activity despite the uncertainty surrounding the war in the Middle East, survey results from the ifo Institute showed Monday. The business climate index rose to a five-month high of 86.6 in July from 85.7 in the previous month. The reading was seen at 86.1.

The Monetary Authority of Singapore tightened its policy for the second straight time in order to cap inflationary pressures. The central bank unexpectedly increased the rate of appreciation of the S$NEER policy band slightly. However, the extent of the increase was smaller than that in April. There will be no change to the width of the policy band and the level at which it is centred.

A report released by the Commerce Department on Friday showed new home sales in the U.S. rebounded in the month of June after falling sharply in the previous month. The Commerce Department said new home sales jumped by 1.6 percent to an annual rate of 628,000 in June after tumbling by 4.3 percent to a revised rate of 618,000 in May.

Eurozone private sector expanded for the first time in four months in July on renewed growth in new orders, flash survey results from S&P Global showed Friday. The flash composite output index hit a five-month high of 51.9 in July compared to 50.0 in June. The expected reading was 50.3.

The British pound strengthened against other major currencies in the European session on Friday, after U.K retail sales grew unexpectedly in June as warm weather boosted outdoor product sales.