Highlights

The European Union recorded €627.8 billion in imports from countries outside the bloc and €640.5 billion in exports during the first quarter of 2026, according to newly released data from Eurostat. While imports registered modest growth compared with the preceding quarter, exports experienced a slight decline, reflecting emerging weakness in the EU’s external trade performance. Quarterly figures indicate that imports into the European Union increased by 1.7 percent compared w

Elon Musk's SpaceX has indicated that it believes the company is worth significantly more than previously estimated as it prepares for a public stock market debut scheduled for next week. In documents submitted to the US Securities and Exchange Commission as part of its initial public offering (IPO) process, SpaceX stated that it expects its shares to be offered at approximately $135 (£100) each. Based on that proposed price, the company would carry a valuation of around $1.7

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has directed private banking institutions to significantly reduce the time required to onboard new clients after years of delays caused by increasingly cautious compliance practices. The policy adjustment was formally announced through remarks delivered by Mr. Chia Der Jiun, Managing Director of MAS, during the UBS Asian Investment Conference, Singapore Wealth Edition, held on 25 May 2026. Under the new expectations, financial institu

Cyprus began 2026 with continued economic momentum, as the country’s economy expanded by 3 per cent in the first quarter compared with the same period a year earlier, according to preliminary figures released on Tuesday by the Cyprus Statistical Service (Cystat). The latest data indicate that household spending, export performance, and strong activity across several major services industries played a central role in supporting growth during the opening months of the year. Mea

The European Central Bank (ECB) has again drawn attention to persistent weaknesses in Cyprus’ statistical reporting framework, according to its latest biennial review assessing the quality of data submitted by euro area member states. The assessment examined the accuracy, completeness, methodological soundness, and consistency of balance of payments and international investment position statistics reported throughout the eurozone up to the second quarter of 2025. Although the

Oil prices climbed sharply after the United States launched fresh attacks on Iran, striking a military installation in Bandar Abbas, a strategically important port city on Iran’s southern coast. The US Central Command (Centcom) said American forces also intercepted and destroyed four Iranian drones “that posed a threat around the Strait of Hormuz”. Following the attacks, the global benchmark for oil prices, Brent crude, jumped 3.75% to $97.83 (£73.15) per barrel. Meanwhile, U

European Central Bank board member Isabel Schnabel said the ECB should move forward with an interest rate increase in June, arguing that the prolonged conflict involving Iran and the resulting surge in energy prices have created inflationary pressures that can no longer be ignored, even if peace negotiations ultimately succeed. The ECB has left interest rates unchanged over the past year, but policymakers seriously discussed the possibility of tightening policy during last mo

The National Bank of Greece announced this week that it had successfully completed the purchase of 465,000 of its own shares during the period from May 14, 2026, through May 22, 2026, as part of its ongoing share buyback initiative. According to the bank, the shares were acquired at a weighted average price of €13.8243 per share, bringing the overall value of the transactions to €6,428,301. The lender issued the announcement in line with resolutions approved during the Annual