British businesses turned more optimistic for the first time in seven months in February as they took a brighter view on the economy and ramped up their hiring plans, according to a survey published on Friday.

Core consumer prices in Japan’s capital rose 2.2% in February from a year earlier, data showed on Friday, slowing for the first time in four months due to revived energy subsidies but remaining well above the central bank’s 2% target.

Japanese industrial production declined in January, largely in line with market expectations, while retail sales jumped as expected on strong private spending, government data showed on Friday.

U.S. economic growth slowed in the fourth quarter, the government confirmed on Thursday, and the loss of momentum appears to have persisted early this quarter amid cold temperatures and concerns that tariffs will hurt spending through higher prices.

The number of Americans filing new applications for unemployment benefits posted the largest increase in five months last week, but the underlying trend in claims remained consistent with a steadily slowing labor market.

Oil prices fell in Asian trading on Friday, heading for their weakest month since September as U.S. trade tariff concerns, and hopes of a Russia-Ukraine peace deal outweighed supply disruption concerns.