Economy
U.S. manufacturing, services PMI due Friday alongside rig count data
S&P Global’s August 22 releases will show whether the manufacturing and services sectors maintained growth momentum. Baker Hughes rig counts follow at noon ET.
WEF seeks ECB’s Lagarde as next chair amid leadership transition
Christine Lagarde is reportedly open to leading the World Economic Forum after tensions with founder Klaus Schwab eased. The ECB has no comment on the speculation.
Global bond yields ease from multi-decade highs after U.S. Treasury buyback boost
U.S. 10-year Treasury yield pulled back from overnight lows while Japanese and European sovereign bonds rallied after Treasury expanded long-end buyback capacity. Brent crude held above $91 a barrel amid Strait of Hormuz shipping disruptions.
U.S. debt tops $40 trillion as Fed minutes, Iran tensions lift markets
Fed minutes show dissent on rates as U.S. debt surpasses $40 trillion; Brent crude rises on geopolitical risks while Walmart's ad unit growth supports retail shares.
Sweden’s Riksbank holds key rate at 1.75%, flags possible hike
Central bank leaves benchmark rate unchanged but warns it may tighten policy before year-end if inflation pressures persist. Decision aligns with market expectations.
Poland's corporate wages rise 6.8% in July, outpace forecasts
Average corporate wages in Poland increased 6.8% year-on-year to 9,509.02 zlotys, exceeding expectations, while employment fell 0.8% amid mixed labor market signals.
Euro zone business activity growth accelerates to 10-month high in August
Composite PMI rises to 52.1, led by manufacturing rebound and export recovery. Services growth steady at 51.7 as inflation pressures ease.
Trump widens beef imports to ease prices
Imports are increased as domestic cattle herds shrink due to drought and reduced margins.
Eurozone PMI rises to nine-month high on manufacturing rebound
Flash eurozone composite PMI climbs to 52.1 in August, led by a 54-month high in manufacturing output, while services growth remains subdued. GDP seen expanding 0.3% in Q3.
US economic growth accelerates as services sector surges to 2022 high
Composite PMI rises 1.5 points to 56.0 in August, with services activity hitting the strongest level since late 2024, while manufacturing slows to a five-month low.
U.S. services PMI jumps to 56.8, far above forecasts
Markit’s latest survey shows the U.S. service sector expanded at the fastest pace since early 2024, outpacing expectations as business activity and demand strengthened.
German producer prices rise 3.0% in July, fastest since 2023
Manufacturers' prices increased 3.0% year-on-year, exceeding forecasts and driven by intermediate goods and energy costs. The gain marks the strongest rise since April 2023.
UK consumer confidence rises to highest since Iran conflict start, survey shows
Consumer sentiment improves for third straight month, offering a boost to Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s government. Brent crude edges higher on geopolitical tensions.
U.S. Treasury doubles buyback operations as Fed policy focus shifts
Upsized Treasury buybacks for 10-30 year debt may test the Fed's dominance in shaping long-term borrowing costs amid inflation and fiscal pressures.
Fed minutes signal bias toward rate hike as Trump urges cut
Minutes from the July Federal Reserve meeting show growing support for higher rates amid persistent inflation, while President Trump reiterates calls for a reduction to ease U.S. debt costs.
U.S. Treasury doubles bond buyback program to $4 billion amid rising yields
Program expansion targets 10- to 30-year Treasuries as borrowing costs climb. Treasury Secretary Bessent signals potential further increases.
U.S. Treasury doubles buybacks as Bessent signals discomfort with yields
U.S. debt tops $40 trillion as Treasury expands buyback program to $4 billion per operation, while Japan and U.S. intervene in currency markets amid bond selloff concerns.
Global economic calendar: August 20, 2026 — earnings, inflation and central bank updates
AEGON, Alibaba and Walmart among companies reporting quarterly results; Germany releases producer prices and trade data alongside Sweden’s Riksbank rate decision.
U.S. bond yields ease on Treasury buybacks but rebound quickly
Long-end Treasury yields slipped after the U.S. doubled buyback operations to $4 billion, yet 30-year yields remain near 19-year highs as debt costs remain elevated.
France private sector activity contracts faster in August
The latest data indicates a sharper decline in France's private sector activity for August.
Germany’s August PMI shows manufacturing rebound, services slowdown
Flash PMI data points to a two-month low for the composite index at 51.0, with manufacturing output surging to a 51-month high of 54.1, while services activity contracted for a fifth straight month.
UK posts unexpected budget deficit in July as spending rises
Public sector net borrowing exceeded forecasts for July amid higher-than-anticipated government spending.
India's private sector growth accelerates in August as services rebound
HSBC's composite PMI rose to 54.6, driven by a pickup in services activity, while manufacturing growth slowed to a five-year low. Employment gains remained concentrated in services, with factory hiring declining.
Swiss poll shows 12-point lead for rejection of neutrality initiative
Survey by gfs.bern for SRG finds 54% opposed to neutrality proposal, with strongest support from SVP voters. Regional and demographic divides highlighted.
South Korea to launch $72 bln chip windfall fund for youth, AI
Government proposes Future Response Fund to channel semiconductor tax revenue into youth employment, housing and AI investment. Legislation to be submitted with 2027 budget.