Bonds
German Q1 GDP hit by VAT tax hike, Covid-19 restrictions
Germany's economy fell back into contraction at the start of 2021, weighed down by the hit to construction and services from a value-added tax hike in January.
US Q1 GDP roars ahead, 'double digit' growth seen in Q2
America's economy roared ahead at the start of 2021, bolstered by the pandemic relief bills approved in December and March.
FOMC says inflation largely 'transitory', some parts of markets 'frothy'
Policymakers at the Federal Reserve acknowledged the strengthening economy but continued to emphasise that risks to the outlook remained.
US consumer confidence soars in March, Conference Board says
An improving jobs market and government stimulus checks arriving in the mail boosted US consumer confidence back to its pre-pandemic level, the results of a closely-followed survey revealed.
Shopper numbers ease following previous week's surge - Springboard
Shopper numbers have fallen back from the previous week’s surge, when numbers were boosted by the re-opening of non-essential retail, industry data showed on Monday.
Germany business sentiment dampened by third wave - ifo
German business sentiment edged only marginally higher in April, data showed on Monday, after morale was held back by the third wave of Covid-19 infections to hit the continent.
UK economy to rebound faster than expected, report says
The UK economy will grow more than expected in 2021 and will regain its pre-crisis peak earlier than predicted, according to one of the country's most prominent forecasters.
UK consumer confidence up by most in a decade - Deloitte
UK consumer confidence jumped by the highest margin in at least 10 years in the first quarter of 2021 as lockdown eased and vaccinations progressed, a survey showed.
US factory and services output risinig at record pace, PMIs reveal
Activity in US manufacturing and services accelerated at its fastest pace on record in April, according to two surveys.
UK economy continues to accelerate in April as lockdowns are eased, PMIs show
Manufacturing and services activity in Britain accelerated further at the start of the second quarter, with the former expanding quickest as lockdowns were eased, two closely-followed surveys showed.
Euro area economy grows in April as companies adjust to virus, PMIs show
Euro area manufacturing and services activity surprised to the upside in April, growing at pace not seen since July, the results of two key surveys revealed.
US existing home sales undershoot forecasts in March
Sales of second hand homes in the US undershot came in below forecasts in March due to a mix of higher prices, higher mortgage rates and a dearth of available supply.
Weekly US jobless claims surprise to the downside again
US jobless claims continued to slip lower, contrary to economists' expectations.
ECB stays put on policy, leaves door open to PEPP 'recalibration'
European Central Bank policymakers stood pat on policy, reiterating their intention to up the ante on bond purchases and, apparently, while leaving all their options open.
French business sentiment dips in April due to weakness in services, INSEE says
French business sentiment worsened a tad in April, due to the hit to services sector activity from lockdowns, but economists continued to expected a strong pick up in overall economic growth in the back half of 2021.
Germany's top court gives go-ahead to ratification of EU recovery fund
Germany’s top court allowed the country to proceed with the ratification of the European Union’s €800bn pandemic recovery fund.
Federal Reserve not aiming for 'prolonged' inflation above target, Powell says
Inflation was set to be a "little higher" in 2021 but the US central bank was not aiming for a large and sustained rise beyond its target, its chairman Jerome Powell said.
UK payrolls fail to improve as expected in March
Britain's labour market failed to improve as much as anticipated in March, confounding economists' expectations and the results from recent surveys.
UK to pay 80% compensation to LCF investors
The government has set up a compensation scheme for investors who lost £237m in the collapse of London Capital & Finance.
US consumer sentiment edges higher at the start of April, University of Michigan says
US consumer sentiment was at its best level in a year in April thanks to the much larger than usual government stimulus payments seen over that time.