May 15, 2025
United States:
US Producer Prices Fell Unexpectedly in April as Margins Shrank
Prices paid to US producers unexpectedly declined in April by the most in five years, largely reflecting a slump in margins, suggesting companies are absorbing some of the hit from higher tariffs.
The 0.5% decrease in the producer price index followed no change in March, Bureau of Labor Statistics data showed Thursday.
Europe:
Euro Zone Grew Less Than Initially Reported at Start of Year
The euro-area economy expanded less than initially reported at the start of 2025, even before US tariffs that are expected to sap activity in the months ahead.
First-quarter output rose 0.3% from the previous three months, below the earlier estimate of 0.4%, Eurostat said Thursday.
Asia:
China’s Riskier Short-Term Corporate Bond Spreads Hit Record Low
The Chinese central bank’s latest monetary easing has triggered a fresh rally in local corporate bonds, sending risk premiums to a record low as investors ramped up leveraged bets.
Yields on one-year AA rated onshore company notes are 41 basis points above those on comparable government debt, turning the so-called credit spread into the tightest since 2007 when Bloomberg-compiled data became available.
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