Japanese inflation shot higher in April, thanks to the impact of tax hikes
South Africa’s GDP shrank, amid contraction in the mining sector
Korean exports drove another massive current account surplus in April
Ireland’s real estate rebound continued, with April property prices up 8.5%
German manufacturing orders shrank sharply in March
Germany’s job market was surprisingly weak in May
European banks cut lending further, a major drag on growth
French unemployment hit another record
Brazil’s economy eked out 0.2% growth in the first quarter
US consumer sentiment slipped in May, with a gloomy view on wage growth
India’s economy remained sluggish, amid the worst slowdown in decades
US first-quarter growth worse than first thought, but markets shrugged it off
Japanese machinery orders surged, a good sign for business spending
Chinese housing, a top worry for global investors, lost more momentum
Taiwan’s export economy showed signs of gaining strength
US consumer debt grew, another sign the great de-leveraging is over
Japan’s newly acquired trade deficit narrowed, but its very existence is still a big change
China’s manufacturing engine continued to look weak, though less weak than before
Weekly claims data showed US job market momentum continues
US existing home sales rose for the first time this year
And US new home sales rebounded too
Mexico struggled to shake off last year’s sluggish growth in the first quarter
Russia’s trade surplus jumped in March, as imports collapsed
April US retail sales slowed down after a big March jump
US small business optimism hit a post-crisis high
UK unemployment hit a five-year low
Euro zone first-quarter GDP growth was disappointing
US student debt continues to grow
…But Americans are still avoiding credit card debt
Japanese first-quarter GDP grew sharply
Brazilian retail sales shrank outright in March
US housing starts jumped, with gains in apartment building
US inflation rose, on higher gas and food prices
…Amid sharp increases in some items, such as beef
In April the US crept closer—within 120,000 jobs—to recovering all the jobs lost during the Great Recession
