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Eurozone Manufacturing Grows at Fastest Pace Since 2022by hellenicshippingnews… on 1 April 2026 at 9:00 pmThe S&P Global Eurozone Manufacturing PMI rose to 51.6 in March 2026, up from both the preliminary estimate of 51.4 and February’s 50.8. This marks the strongest expansion in the sector since June 2022, amid a considerable supply-side disruption as the war in the Middle East disrupted global logistics markets. Output growth hit a seven-month …
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Retail sales beat expectations with a 0.6% increaseby hellenicshippingnews… on 1 April 2026 at 9:00 pm
Retail sales in the United States have surpassed expectations, posting a notable increase that signals a robust consumer spending environment. The latest data reveals that retail sales rose by 0.6%, exceeding the forecasted growth of 0.5%. This performance highlights a resilient consumer base, which is a critical component of the nation’s economic health. The actual …
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US Private Credit Transparency Improves Amid Interconnectedness Risksby hellenicshippingnews… on 1 April 2026 at 9:00 pm
Transparency around private credit in North America is modestly increasing, according to Fitch Ratings. Stronger regulatory disclosure requirements, the rise of SEC-registered vehicles and individual issuer efforts to respond to market concerns are driving this change. However, most private credit information remains largely opaque, particularly regarding interconnectedness with the broader financial system. To enhance the …
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ASEAN manufacturing growth slows to six-month low in Marchby hellenicshippingnews… on 1 April 2026 at 9:00 pm
The ASEAN manufacturing sector showed signs of cooling in March, with the S&P Global ASEAN Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index falling to 51.8 from February’s record high of 53.8, marking the weakest performance since September. The index remained above the 50 threshold that separates expansion from contraction, extending the region’s growth streak to nine months. However, …
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BofA cuts global growth forecast on ‘mild’ stagflation shockby hellenicshippingnews… on 1 April 2026 at 9:00 pm
In a note to clients on Wednesday, Bank of America lowered its global growth outlook for 2026, warning that the economic fallout from the Iran war is delivering what it describes as a “mild stagflation” shock. BofA analyst Claudio Irigoyen said it is revising forecasts “to reflect the economic impact of the war so far,” …
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Prolonged war in Iran could tip the global economy into recessionby hellenicshippingnews… on 1 April 2026 at 9:00 pm
The conflict in the Middle East is already rattling global energy markets. Our baseline economic forecasts assume a sustained period of disruption to both energy production in the Middle East and shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. But what if things get significantly worse? We’ve modelled a “Prolonged Iran War” scenario using our Global …
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China factory activity slows in March as oil-driven costs weigh – RatingDog PMIby hellenicshippingnews… on 1 April 2026 at 9:00 pm
China’s manufacturing activity expanded for a fourth straight month in March, although growth slowed from the previous month and missed expectations, as rising cost pressures from higher oil prices weighed on momentum. The RatingDog manufacturing PMI came in at 50.8 in March, down from 52.1 in February and below forecasts of 51.6, but remained above …
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Euro area unemployment at 6.2%by hellenicshippingnews… on 1 April 2026 at 9:00 pm
Overview In February 2026, the euro area seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 6.2%, up from 6.1% in January 2026 and down from 6.3% in February 2025. The EU unemployment rate was 5.9% in February 2026, stable compared with January 2026 and down from 6.0% in February 2025. These figures are published by Eurostat, the statistical …
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UK Manufacturing PMI Revised Lowerby hellenicshippingnews… on 1 April 2026 at 9:00 pm
The S&P Global UK Manufacturing PMI dropped to 51.0 in March of 2026 from 51.7 in the previous month, revised downwards from the preliminary estimate of 51.4 but remaining firmly above the initial market expectation of 50.1. The result reflected a degree of unexpected stability in manufacturing growth as the outbreak of war in the …
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Japan manufacturing growth slows amid Middle East war pressuresby hellenicshippingnews… on 1 April 2026 at 9:00 pm
Japan’s manufacturing sector expanded at a slower pace in March, with the S&P Global Japan Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index falling to 51.6 from February’s 45-month high of 53.0, according to data released Wednesday. The March reading marked the second-strongest performance since July 2022, though it indicated a modest pace of improvement. Data were collected between …
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Japan Q1 Business Mood Inches Higherby hellenicshippingnews… on 1 April 2026 at 9:00 pm
The Bank of Japan’s sentiment index for large manufacturers edged up to 17 in Q1 2026, beating market estimates of 16 and marking the highest level since Q4 2021. The uptick suggested Middle East conflict risks have yet to dent business morale. Confidence strengthened across firms producing pulp (44 vs 40 in Q4), electrical machinery …
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Soaring gas prices to push U.S. inflation to nearly 4% in coming months: BofAby hellenicshippingnews… on 1 April 2026 at 5:00 pm
Bank of America is warning that surging energy prices will drive U.S. headline inflation close to 4% in the coming months, with price pressures seen persisting well into next year. U.S. economist Stephen Juneau revised BofA’s macro outlook following an update to the bank’s oil price forecast, with headline PCE inflation now projected to peak …
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Fed’s Musalem: current rates “will remain appropriate for some time”by hellenicshippingnews… on 1 April 2026 at 5:00 pm
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis President Alberto Musalem said Wednesday that risks are rising to both inflation and employment, and officials should be prepared to adjust interest rates in either direction depending on how the economy evolves. “Policy is well positioned to address risks to both dual mandate objectives, and I expect the current …
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Greece Jobless Rate at 4-Month Highby hellenicshippingnews… on 1 April 2026 at 5:00 pm
Greece’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose to 8.5% in February 2026, following an upwardly revised 7.9% in the previous two months. This marked the highest reading since October 2025, as the number of unemployed individuals climbed by 32 thousand month-on-month, bringing the total to 410.5 thousand. Unemployment among women remained significantly higher than among men, …
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Greek Manufacturing PMI at 7-Month Highby hellenicshippingnews… on 1 April 2026 at 5:00 pm
The S&P Global Greece Manufacturing PMI edged up to 54.5 in March 2026 from 54.4 in the previous month. This marked the highest reading since August 2025, supported by continued growth in both output and new orders, which have risen in tandem every month since November 2024 amid resilient domestic demand. Manufacturers also increased hiring …
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ADP nonfarm employment change shows modest decline from forecastby hellenicshippingnews… on 1 April 2026 at 5:00 pm
In a closely watched economic indicator, the ADP National Employment Report revealed that non-farm private employment in the United States increased by 62,000 jobs. This figure, released as part of the monthly assessment of employment changes, offers a glimpse into the labor market’s performance, drawing on payroll data from approximately 400,000 U.S. business clients. The …
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US Business inventories dip, signaling potential consumer demand uptickby hellenicshippingnews… on 1 April 2026 at 5:00 pm
In a notable economic development, the latest data on business inventories has shown a slight decline. The Business Inventories report, which tracks the change in the value of unsold goods held by manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers, revealed an actual decrease of 0.1%. This figure is pivotal as it serves as an indicator of consumer demand …
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ECB’s Makhlouf warns Middle East war risks worse inflation outcomeby hellenicshippingnews… on 1 April 2026 at 5:00 pm
European Central Bank Governing Council member Gabriel Makhlouf said Wednesday that a prolonged war in the Middle East could push the euro-area economy toward a worse outcome than the baseline scenario policymakers outlined last month. “As the conflict persists without clear resolution, a more prolonged period of higher prices becomes likely,” the Irish official said …
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China Factory Growth Slows More Than Expectedby hellenicshippingnews… on 1 April 2026 at 5:00 pm
The RatingDog China General Manufacturing PMI fell to 50.8 in March 2026 from 52.1 in February, signaling a slowdown in factory expansion and below the expected 51.6. Output and new orders continued to rise, though at a slower pace, with production expanding for the fourth consecutive month. Backlogs increased as demand outpaced production, while employment …
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China manufacturing sector growth slows amid rising costsby hellenicshippingnews… on 1 April 2026 at 10:00 am
China’s manufacturing sector expanded for a fourth consecutive month in March, though growth moderated as factories faced the sharpest cost pressures in four years and supply chain disruptions intensified. The RatingDog China General Manufacturing PMI fell to 50.8 in March from 52.1 in February, marking the second-strongest performance in six months. A reading above 50 …