China FDI (YTD) YoY

Euro Area Construction Output YoY

Euro Area ECB President Lagarde Speech

Canada CFIB Business Barometer

The FTSE MIB fell to around 51,900 on Friday, ending a two-day gain and tracking regional peers as markets capped a week of major central-bank decisions. The Federal Reserve and Bank of Japan raised rates this week, while the Bank of England left rates unchanged. Meanwhile, traders pared back bets on further European Central Bank tightening as high energy prices threatened growth and could eventually ease inflationary pressures. At the sector level, oil major Eni fell more than 1%, tracking lower oil prices amid hopes for alternative routes for Middle Eastern barrels. Energy and utility stocks also traded lower, including Enel (-1.2%), Saipem (-1.4%), Snam (-0.8%), Terna (-0.5%) and A2A (-0.7%). For the week, the benchmark index was heading for a decline of about 1%.

FTSE MIB Snaps 2-Day Gain

The British pound was little changed at $1.337 on Friday, remaining near its weakest level since late July, as investors weighed stronger-than-expected retail sales and this week’s central bank decisions. UK retail sales rose 0.5% in August, defying expectations for a 0.2% decline and rebounding from July’s fall. Department stores led the recovery as retailers resolved stock availability issues, pointing to resilient consumer spending despite elevated energy prices and the prospect of tighter monetary policy. The Bank of England held rates steady on Thursday and said it would stop selling very long-dated gilts under its quantitative tightening programme, while warning that a prolonged Middle East conflict could prompt tighter policy. The Federal Reserve and Bank of Japan also raised rates this week and signaled scope for further tightening this year.

Pound Holds Near July Low

UK 10-year gilt yields rose to 5.25% on Friday after falling more than 10bps in the previous session, as investors digested stronger-than-expected retail sales and this week’s central bank decisions. UK retail sales rose 0.5% in August, defying expectations for a 0.2% decline and rebounding from July’s fall. Department stores led the recovery as retailers resolved stock availability issues, suggesting consumer spending remains resilient despite elevated energy prices and the prospect of tighter monetary policy. The Bank of England held rates steady on Thursday and said it would stop selling very long-dated gilts under its quantitative tightening programme, while warning that a prolonged Middle East conflict could prompt tighter policy. The Federal Reserve and Bank of Japan also raised rates this week and signaled scope for further tightening this year. Elsewhere, Brent crude continued to fall as concerns over Saudi supply disruptions eased.

UK Gilt Yields Rebound on Strong Retail Sales

Poland’s industrial output eased to 4.3% year-on-year in August 2026 from a revised 4.9% in the previous month, falling short of expectations of 6.8%. This marked the lowest reading since April, as production growth slowed in manufacturing (3.4% vs 4.4% in July), weighed down by slower growth in beverages (6.1% vs 16.9%) and repair, maintenance, and installation of machinery and equipment (0.9% vs 13.8%), as well as declines in tobacco products (-11.7% vs -10.6%), textiles (-4.9% vs -2.5%), and clothing (-4.4% vs 4.2%). Output also moderated in water supply, sewerage, waste management, and remediation activities (9.5% vs 11.3%). Meanwhile, output rose in mining and quarrying (18.7% vs 18.5%), and electricity, gas, steam, and air conditioning supply (10.5% vs 7.4%). On a monthly basis, industrial production fell 7.5% in August, deepening from a revised 2.0% drop in July. In the January-August period, industrial output was 3.5% higher than in the same period last year.

Trending Symbols And Events

Most latest news, events and ideas for smart decisions

Latest News