The most important events and reports on the economy, central banks, politics from the program of Dow Jones Newswires.
EUROURAUM-STUNCELRAUCHELEBULE DESSING LEITION in March
The retail turnover in the euro area was a little weaker than expected in March. As Eurostat announced, he sank by 0.1 percent compared to the previous month. In contrast, economists surveyed by Dow Jones Newswires forecast an increase of 0.1 percent. The increase in 0.3 percent, which was temporarily registered for February, was revised to 0.2 percent. Sales rose by 1.5 (February: 1.9) percent over the year.
VDMA: Input intake of mechanical engineering increases in the 1st quarter
The first months of 2025 were encouraging for German mechanical and plant engineering: In March, the companies once again recorded a slight increase in orders by real 4 percent compared to the previous year, as the VDMA industry association announced. The weakening domestic business (minus 3 percent) faced an increase of 6 percent of the foreign orders. A total of 19 percent more order came from the euro countries-also due to large orders-the non-euro countries have an increase of 2 percent. “The year started well, but the uncertainty about further development remains extremely large – especially with a view to the customs policy of the United States and possible countermeasures,” commented VDMA chief host Johannes Gernandt.
Trump announces ceasefire with Huthi rebels
In his own words, US President Donald Trump has reached a ceasefire with the Huthi in Yemen. Trump said during a meeting in the Oval Office with the Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney that the militias would no longer target ships that drive water in the Middle East. “I will accept your word and we will set the bombing of the Huthi with immediate effect,” said Trump. He added: “You just don’t want to fight and we will respect that.”
US intelligence agencies should collect more information about Grönland
The United States is strengthening its efforts to procure information about Greenland and thus draw America’s espionage apparatus into the campaign of US President Donald Trump to take over the island. This reports two people familiar with the matter. Accordingly, several managers of the national intelligence services led by Tulsi Gabbart have published a “Collection Emphasis Message” (for example: instructions on the focus of the collection) to the bosses of the secret services. They have been instructed to find out more about Greenland’s independence movement and the attitude towards US raw material extraction on the island.
Carney again explains Canada for “unsalable”
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney once again declared “not for sale” in a conversation with US President Donald Trump. Previously, Trump had again confirmed his intention to make Canada the 51st US state at the Oval Office meeting. Trump presented his annexation proposal more gentle than usual this time. He said that this would lead to a massive tax reduction for Canadian citizens, with “free military” support, and added that the removal of the “artificially drawn” line between the countries would lead to a “beautiful formation”.
China/currency reserves APR 3.282 Bill USD (March: 3.241 Bill USD)
China/currency reserves APR rose around $ 41 billion to the previous month
Taiwan Consumer prices APR +2.03% GG previous year (Prog +2.05%)
Switzerland/SNB: currency reserves Apr 702.895 billion CHF
Switzerland/SNB: Currency reserves were CHF 725.551 billion in March
US/MBA Market Index week on May 2nd +11.0% to 248.4 (previous week: 223.7)
US/MBA Purchase Index week as of May 2nd +11.1% to 162.8 (previous week: 146.6)
US/MBA Refinance Index week on May 2nd +11.1% to 721 (previous week: 649)
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(End) Dow Jones Newswires
May 07, 2025 07:30 ET (11:30 GMT)