Markets

South Korean output unexpectedly declines amid growing geopolitical risks

Although South Korean chip exports remained robust at the start of 2026—rising by 103% year-on-year in January and 161% in February—production actually declined. On a monthly comparison basis, chip output dropped by 4.4% month-on-month, seasonally-adjusted, in January. The discrepancy between the ...

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January Sees Rise in Industrial Producer Prices in Euro Area and EU

In January 2026, industrial producer prices rose by 0.7% in the euro area and 0.8% in the EU, as reported by Eurostat. This marks a shift from the previous month's decline of 0.3% in the euro area. The increase indicates a potential recovery in industrial

Euro Area Unemployment Rate Drops to 6.1% in January 2026

The euro area recorded a seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 6.1% in January 2026, showing a slight decrease from 6.2% in December 2025 and 6.3% a year earlier. Similarly, the broader EU unemployment rate fell to 5.8%, down from 5.9% in the previous month and

UK Service Sector Shows Steady Growth Amid Staffing Challenges

The UK service sector experienced a continued increase in business activity during February, buoyed by improving demand. Despite this positive trend, staffing levels fell for the seventeenth consecutive month, reflecting ongoing pressure on margins stemming from elevated business costs. Service providers are struggling to balance growth with expenses, complicating their