Britain's car production fell by 7% year-on-year in April, falling for a second consecutive month, as manufacturers wound down existing models and more plants transitioned to electric vehicle (EV) production, industry data showed on Thursday.
The global unemployment rate is expected to fall slightly to 4.9% this year from 5.0% in 2023, even as inequalities in labour markets persist, the International Labour Organization (ILO) said on Wednesday.
Most Asian stocks fell on Thursday amid persistent fears of sticky inflation inviting high interest rates, with the technology sector seeing the steepest declines as investors also locked-in recent profits.
Oil prices were down on Thursday as the markets wait on the latest U.S. crude oil stockpiles data while resilient U.S. economic activity pointed to borrowing costs staying higher for longer in a potential blow to demand.
The dollar soared to a two-week high against its major peers on Thursday, as a rout in Treasuries improved the currency's allure due to both higher U.S. yields and demand for safe haven assets.
Prices in British shops rose at the slowest pace in 2-1/2 years this month, according to the British Retail Consortium which said the rate of inflation in the sector was back to normal after its surge.