The most important events and reports on the economy, central banks and politics from the Dow Jones Newswires program
Inflation in six federal states changed little in November
The inflation data from six federal states changed little in November. In Bavaria, the annual price increase remained at 2.2 percent, in Baden-Württemberg and North Rhine-Westphalia at 2.3 percent and in Brandenburg at 2.6 percent. In Saxony it rose to 2.2 percent and in Hesse to 2.5 percent. For Germany as a whole, economists had previously expected consumer prices to fall by 0.2 (previous month: plus 0.3) compared to the previous month. According to the forecast, the annual inflation rate is expected to remain at 2.3 percent. The Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) publishes the data at 2 p.m.
German unemployment rate almost unchanged in November
Unemployment in Germany was almost unchanged on an adjusted basis in November. As the Federal Employment Agency (BA) announced, the seasonally adjusted number of unemployed rose by 1,000 compared to the previous month, after falling by 2,000 in September. The unemployment rate remained at 6.3 percent. Economists surveyed by Dow Jones Newswires had forecast an increase in unemployment of 7,500 and a rate of 6.3 percent.
HICP inflation in Spain falls to 3.1 percent in November
Inflationary pressure in Spain eased slightly in November, contrary to expectations. According to statistics agency INE, the Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) rose at an annual rate of 3.1 percent. In October the increase was 3.2 percent. Economists surveyed by Dow Jones Newswires had expected a stable rate of 3.2 percent for November.
The Swiss economy shrank by 0.5 percent in the third quarter
Switzerland’s economy contracted in the third quarter of 2025 after extremely high US tariffs came into force. This result increases pressure on the country’s central bank to cut interest rates below zero. Gross domestic product (GDP) fell by 0.5 percent, compared to growth of 0.2 percent in the second quarter, according to the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (Seco). Both figures represent a significant slowdown from the 0.8 percent growth in the first quarter.
ECB: Consumer inflation expectations for 12 months are rising slightly
The short-term inflation expectations of consumers in the euro area rose slightly in October. According to the latest consumer survey by the European Central Bank (ECB), consumers expected consumer prices to rise by 2.8 (September: 2.7) percent in the next twelve months. They saw inflation unchanged at 2.5 percent over a three-year period and at 2.2 (2.2) percent over a five-year period.
Bundesbank: Cash and Girocard are cheapest for retail
From a retail perspective, it is cheapest if customers pay at the checkout with cash or Girocard. This is shown by a study by the German Bundesbank. Monetary costs such as fees, charges, equipment or transport costs were analyzed. Non-monetary costs were also included in the calculations, such as the time that retail companies spend handling payment methods at the checkout or in administration.
Japan’s planned bond issuance is fueling fiscal fears
Japan’s finance ministry plans to increase government bond issuance to the tune of $75 billion to finance an economic stimulus package. The move potentially fuels concerns about the country’s financial health. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s cabinet approved a draft supplementary budget for the fiscal year ending March 2026. The volume is 18.303 trillion yen, which is about $117.10 billion.
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Italy/Consumer prices Nov prev -0.2% yoy, +1.2% yoy
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(END) Dow Jones Newswires
November 28, 2025 07:30 ET (12:30 GMT)