The Commerce Department released a report on Thursday showing a significant rebound in new home sales in the U.S. in the month of August. The report said new home sales surged by 6.4 percent to an annual rate of 684,000 in August after plunging by 4.3 percent to an upwardly revised rate of 643,000 in July.

First-time claims for U.S. unemployment benefits unexpectedly edged slightly lower in the week ended September 19th, according to a report released by the Labor Department on Thursday. The report said initial jobless claims slipped to 197,000, a decrease of 1,000 from the previous week's revised level of 198,000. Economists had expected jobless claims to rise to 204,000.

The Swiss National Bank retained its key interest rate at zero percent as medium-term inflationary pressure increased only slightly since June. Policymakers observed that the monetary policy is appropriate to keep inflation within the range consistent with price stability and supports economic development.

The Swiss franc weakened against other major currencies in the European session on Thursday, after the Swiss National Bank retained its key interest rate at zero percent, as widely expected.

Norges Bank raised its policy rate by a quarter-point on Thursday to bring inflation back to the target and signaled another hike if inflation outlook warrants. The Monetary Policy and Financial Stability Committee decided to hike the policy rate to 4.50 percent from 4.25 percent. The bank had raised the rate by 25 basis points in May.

German business confidence rose to its highest level in more than three years in September as the economy continued its recovery, monthly survey data from the ifo Institute showed Thursday. The business climate index rose to 89.9 in September from 88.8 in the previous month. This was the highest score since May 2023 and was also above forecast of 89.1.

The UK private sector growth moderated to a three-month low in September, reflecting a loss of momentum in manufacturing and service sectors, flash data from S&P Global showed Wednesday. The headline composite output index fell to 51.7 in September from 52.5 in August. This was the lowest since June and below forecast of 52.0.

The euro area private sector expanded at the fastest pace since April 2023 amid solid expansions in both the services and manufacturing sectors, survey data from S&P Global revealed Wednesday. The flash composite output index advanced to 53.1 in September from 52.0 in the prior month. The score was seen at 51.7.

The UK government borrowing exceeded the government estimate in August as spending rose more than income, partly due to the impacts of inflation, data from the Office for National Statistics said Tuesday. Public sector net borrowing increased GBP 2.9 billion from the previous year to GBP 18.3 billion in August.

The Japanese yen weakened against other major currencies in the European session on Tuesday.

The New Zealand dollar strengthened against other major currencies in the European session on Tuesday amid increasing risk-on mood, as easing crude oil prices allayed concerns about global inflation and the corresponding outlook for interest rates. Markets were also boosted by technology stocks which mirrored their peers on tech-heavy NASDAQ amid renewed optimism about outlook for large AI hyperscalers.

A report released the Conference Board on Friday unexpectedly showed a modest decrease by its reading on leading U.S. economic indicators in the month of August. The Conference Board said its leading economic index edged down by 0.1 percent in August after rising by 0.2 percent in July. Economists had expected the index to inch up by 0.1 percent.

With a jump in utilities output offset by a decrease in manufacturing output, the Federal Reserve released a report on Friday showing U.S. industrial production unexpectedly came in flat in the month of August. The Fed said industrial production was unchanged in August after rising by an unrevised 0.2 percent in July. Economists had expected industrial production to climb by 0.3 percent.

UK retail sales rebounded unexpectedly in August underpinned by online shopping and warm weather boosted sales of seasonal items, data from the Office for National Statistics revealed Friday. Retail sales grew 0.5 percent on a monthly basis, offsetting July's 0.5 percent fall. Sales were expected to drop 0.2 percent.

The Bank of Japan raised its benchmark rate by a quarter point to a 31-year high amid high inflation and weaker yen. The policy board, governed by Ueda Kazu, decided by a 7-2 majority vote to raise the interest rate to 1.25 percent, marking the highest since 1995. The move was widely anticipated by markets.

The Japanese yen weakened against other major currencies in the Asian session on Friday.

A report released by the National Association of Realtors on Thursday showed a modest rebound in pending home sales in the month of August. NAR said pending home sales index rose by 0.3 percent to 71.2 in August after tumbling by 2.6 percent to a revised 71.0 in July. Economists had expected pending home sales to climb by 0.5 percent.

The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia released a report on Thursday showing a smaller-than-expected pullback by its reading on regional manufacturing activity in the month of September. The Philly Fed said its diffusion index for current general activity fell to 37.8 in September after climbing to 47.4 in August, although a positive reading still indicates growth.

New residential construction in the U.S. unexpectedly saw further downside in the month of August, according to a report released by the Commerce Department on Thursday. The Commerce Department said housing starts tumbled by 2.6 percent to an annual rate of 1.309 million in August after plunging by 9.0 percent to a revised rate of 1.439 million in July.

A report released by the Labor Department on Thursday showed an unexpected decline in first-time claims for U.S. unemployment benefits in the week ended September 12th. The Labor Department said initial jobless claims fell to 196,000, a decrease of 10,000 from the previous week's unrevised level of 206,000. Economists had expected jobless claims to inch up to 208,000.

The Bank of England left its key interest rate unchanged on Thursday amid limited evidence of second-round effects but further increase in energy prices raises the prospect of a hike in November. The Monetary Policy Committee, led by Governor Andrew Bailey, voted 6-3 to maintain the bank rate at 3.75 percent, the lowest rate since June 2023. The move was in line with economists' expectations.

The U.S. dollar strengthened against other major currencies in the Asian session on Thursday, after the U.S. Federal Reserve delivered its first interest-rate hike since July 2023, and suggested rates may need to go still higher to get inflation under control.

For the first time since July of 2023, the Federal Reserve announced on Wednesday that it has decided to raise interest rates. The Fed said it decided to raise the target range for the federal funds rate by 25 basis points to 3.75 to 4 percent in support of its dual mandate.

A report released by the Commerce Department on Wednesday showed business inventories in the U.S. increased by much more than expected in the month of July. The Commerce Department said business inventories climbed by 0.8 percent in July following a revised 0.1 percent uptick in June. Economists had expected business inventories to rise by 0.3 percent.

Homebuilder sentiment in the U.S. has deteriorated by much more than anticipated in the month of September, according to a report released by the National Association of Home Builders on Wednesday. The report said the NAHB/Wells Fargo housing market index fell to 32 in September after inching up to 35 in August. Economists had expected the index to edge down to 34.