The most important events and reports on the economy, central banks and politics from the Dow Jones Newswires program
Chicago Fed Index signals stronger growth in April
A Chicago Fed monthly index that estimates U.S. economic growth improved last month. The regional central bank’s national activity index rose to 0.14 in April, after minus 0.15 in March. A value above zero indicates that the economy is growing above its historical average trend. Production-related indicators improved. The sales, orders and inventory category also increased.
US home price growth slowed in March
U.S. home price growth slowed slightly in March as higher mortgage rates added pressure on affordability for homebuyers. The S&P Cotality Case-Shiller National Home Price Index, which measures home prices nationwide, rose 0.7 percent in the 12 months ended March, compared with a 0.8 percent rise in February. For the 10th month in a row, inflation has outpaced national house price increases, the survey said.
US consumer sentiment worsened in May, according to the Conference Board
Consumer confidence fell slightly in May as the inflationary impact of the war in the Middle East intensified. This was revealed by a monthly survey conducted by the Conference Board. The research institute said on Tuesday its consumer confidence index fell to 93.1 in May from an upwardly revised reading of 93.8 in April. Economists polled by The Wall Street Journal had expected a reading of 92.0.
Rubio: US will only accept “good” Iran deal
According to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, it will take a few days to work out the details of a possible deal with Iran. US President Donald Trump has spoken on the phone with leading politicians in the region in recent days to talk about ending the war. “I think there is strong consensus and agreement on what a preliminary draft should look like,” Rubio said. “It will either be a good deal or there won’t be one.”
Israel demands freedom of action from the USA in Lebanon
According to informed sources, Israel is pushing for its own freedom of action in Lebanon to be included as an integral part of the US’s planned peace agreement with Iran. This threatens to become another sticking point in negotiations where Iran insists that any ceasefire must include an end to fighting in Lebanon. When Hezbollah joined the war in early March in support of its patron Iran, Israel responded with a ground offensive in Lebanon and increased attacks on the militia based there. In April, the US government pushed for a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon amid fears that fighting there could jeopardize the fragile US-Iran ceasefire.
+++ Economic data +++
Brazil current account April deficit $1.8 billion (March: deficit $6.0 billion)
Brazil/Foreign Direct Investment Apr $8.9 billion
Brazil/Foreign direct investment 12 months $79.2 billion
DJG/DJN/apo/brb
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
May 26, 2026 1:00 p.m. ET (5:00 p.m. GMT)