May 21, 2026
United States:
US Jobless Claims Were Little Changed at 209,000 Last Week
Applications for US unemployment benefits were little changed last week, signaling layoffs remain muted despite recent job-cut announcements.
Initial claims fell by 3,000 to 209,000 in the week ended May 16, according to Labor Department data released Thursday.
Europe:
Euro-Zone Growth Is Buckling Under Weight of War Impact
The euro area will slow markedly while suffering the fastest inflation since 2023 as it succumbs to the energy-cost surge from the Iran war, according to the European Commission.
Issuing new forecasts for the region, the European Union’s executive arm predicted that output will rise 0.9% this year, notably below the 1.4% expansion last year, and 0.3 percentage points lower than expected in November. For 2027, it revised its outlook down to 1.2%.
Asia:
Koeda Says BOJ Should Keep Hiking Rate at Appropriate Pace
Bank of Japan Board Member Junko Koeda signaled support for raising benchmark interest rates, the latest indication that momentum is building for a move as early as next month.
“I see some possibility that underlying inflation may exceed 2% looking ahead,” Koeda said Thursday in a speech to local business leaders in Fukuoka, western Japan. “I therefore believe it is reasonable for the Bank to raise the policy interest rate at an appropriate pace to address high inflation while also considering the trade-offs for the economy.”
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