1. Mortgage applications jumped as the 30-year fixed mortgage rate continued to ease.

• Refinancing activity also improved.

2. Business inflation expectations for the coming year picked up to 2.3%, according to Atlanta Fed’s latest survey.

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1. The new housing price index unexpectedly declined.

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UK headline inflation accelerated, driven by a surge in fuel costs. However, core CPI unexpectedly slowed, dragged down by heavy clothing discounts following a rainy February.

• Services inflation remained firm, partly reflecting an early Easter holiday that boosted airfares.

1. Fossil fuels’ share of UK electricity generation fell to a record low of 2%, as surging wind and solar output increasingly dominate the power mix.

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1. Dutch consumer confidence deteriorated sharply in April, falling to its lowest level since January 2023.

2. Euro area consumer confidence slumped to its lowest since late 2022, weighed down by the energy shock.

3. Belgian consumer confidence deteriorated sharply.

4. The German Economy Ministry cut its 2026 GDP forecast by half, from 1% to 0.5%. The 2027 forecast was revised down from 1.3% to 0.9%.

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1. Employment in Sweden contracted.

• The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate held steady.

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1. Japan registered the highest March trade surplus since 2018.

• Export growth accelerated, driven primarily by a rebound in demand from China and ASEAN following Lunar New Year distortions.

• Import growth also unexpectedly accelerated, showing limited immediate impact from the recent shock to oil prices.

2. Prime Minister Takaichi’s approval ratings remain strong.

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1. Australia’s leading index remained negative, suggesting continued economic headwinds.

2. South Korean producer price inflation accelerated sharply.