By the numbers: The global economy this week
Highlights of economic data released last week, from central bank policies to trade and growth trends.
April 5, 2021
Currency
U.S.: The dollar rose versus other major currencies on the hope of economic recovery.
Central bank policy
Trade
AUSTRALIA: Australia recorded a trade surplus in February.
GERMANY: Import prices jumped 1.7% in February compared with January.
Growth
CHINA: The Manufacturing PMI slipped to 50.6 in March from 50.9 in February.
CHINA: The NBS Non-Manufacturing PMI rose to 56.3 in March from 51.4 in February, reaching a four-month high.
EUROZONE: The Manufacturing PMI increased to 62.5 in March from 57.9 in February.
GERMANY: The Manufacturing PMI surged to 66.6 in March from 60.7 in February, marking an all-time high.
JAPAN: Industrial production dropped 2.6% in February.
JAPAN: Retail sales declined 1.5% year over year in February.
GERMANY: Producer prices of services rose 1.9% year over year in March.
U.S.: Pending home sales fell 10.6% in February.
U.S.: Home prices posted an annual gain of 11.2% year over year in January.
U.S.: The manufacturing PMI rose to 59.1 in March from 58.6 in February.
Employment trends
GERMANY: The unemployment rate was 4.6% in February, unchanged from January.
JAPAN: The unemployment rate was 2.9% in February, unchanged from January.
U.S.: Initial jobless claims reached 719,000 in the week ended March 27, 2021.
U.S.: The United States added 916,000 jobs and the unemployment rate fell to 6.0% in March from 6.2% in February.
Inflation/deflation
EUROZONE: Annual inflation was expected to rise to 1.3% in March from 0.9% in February.
GERMANY: The inflation rate was expected to increase 1.7% year over year in March.
Market sentiment
EUROZONE: The Economic Sentiment Indicator improved sharply in March.
EUROZONE: Industry confidence improved in March.
U.S.: The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index jumped in March.