March 19, 2026
United States:
US Jobless Claims Declined Last Week to Lowest Since January
Applications for US unemployment benefits fell last week to the lowest level since January, adding to evidence of limited layoffs.
Initial claims decreased by 8,000 to 205,000 in the week ended March 14, according to Labor Department data released Thursday.
Europe:
ECB Holds Rates Steady as Officials Warn of Iran War’s Costs
The European Central Bank kept interest rates unchanged for a sixth meeting as it warned that the war in Iran could shift its expectations for inflation and the economy.
The deposit rate was left at 2% on Thursday — as predicted by all analysts in a Bloomberg survey. Officials said that leaves them well positioned, reiterating in a statement that they’ll act one meeting at a time.
Asia:
BOJ’s Ueda Keeps April Rate Hike on Table After Hawkish Hold
Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda kept the possibility of an April interest rate hike on the table after leaving policy unchanged Thursday amid uncertainty over the impact of the Middle East conflict on the economic outlook.
Speaking at a press briefing after the central bank’s decision he said that downward pressure on the economy stemming from the impact of the hostilities would likely be temporary.
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