Foreign Exchange Market Update

May 22, 2026

Eurozone

Euro traded at 1.1602 against USD at 9:00 AM PST

The German economy expanded at a slightly faster pace in the first quarter, underpinned by consumption and exports, defying the adverse impact of the conflict in the Middle East. Germany's gross domestic product (GDP) grew 0.3% from a quarter ago following the fourth quarter's 0.2% expansion. Yearly, GDP registered a calendar-adjusted growth of 0.4. At the same time, GDP logged a steady annual growth of 0.5% in the first quarter.

Exports increased 3.3% after falling 1.5% in the prior quarter, while imports rose only 0.1%. As a result, net trade contributed 1.3% age points to GDP growth. Household spending remained unchanged in the first quarter, following a 0.6% rise a quarter ago. At the same time, the increase in government spending was 1.1% but slower than the 1.5% rise in the fourth quarter. Gross capital formation posted a quarterly fall of 5.3%, following a 2.4% rise a quarter ago. Gross fixed capital formation in construction shrank 2.5% and that in machinery and equipment decreased 1.2 %. 05/22/2026 - 08:53:00 (RTTNews)

Confidence among French manufacturers improved further in May and remained above its long-term average. The manufacturing confidence index rose to 102.0 in May from 100.0 in April. The increase in May mainly came from the further marked improvement in the balance of opinion on past production. The balance of opinion associated with past production improved notably from 4 to 14. The index measuring overall order books rose slightly from -15 in April to -14, and the foreign order books balance also rose from -12 to -10.

Meanwhile, the indicator for personal production expectations eased from 6 to 4, and that for general production outlook remained negative and stable at -17. Evolution in workforce size, both past and expected, remained negative in May. The index for the workforce size was stable at -3, and the expected workforce size decreased from -1 to -2. 05/22/2026 - 08:17:00 (RTTNews)

United Kingdom Retail Sales Fall Most in Nearly a Year; Consumer Sentiment Rises

British Pound traded at 1.3438 against USD at 9:00 AM PST

UK retail sales declined at the fastest pace in nearly a year in April as consumers reduced fuel purchases after the outbreak of the conflict in the Middle East. Retail sales declined 1.3% monthly in April, in contrast to a 0.6% rise in March. This was the biggest fall since May 2025.

Automotive fuel sales plunged 10.2% in May, marking the biggest monthly fall since November 2020. Retailers suggested that motorists were making fewer journeys and were delaying filling their vehicle fuel tanks while prices rose. This followed a strong March sale when motorists stocked up as prices rose.

Excluding auto fuel, retail sales volume dropped 0.4%, following March's 0.1% rise. Yearly, retail sales remained flat after rising 1.4% in March. Sales volume, excluding auto fuel, registered an annual increase of 1.1% compared to the 1.5% increase in March.

The UK consumer sentiment index rose two points to -23 in May on improving perceptions of both personal finances and their wider economy. The index measuring changes in personal finance over the last twelve months increased four points to -7. 05/22/2026 - 05:58:00 (RTTNews)

Taiwan Jobless Rate Falls Slightly in April

The unemployment rate in Taiwan decreased marginally in April. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate came in at 3.34% in April, down from 3.35% a month ago. In the same period last year, the rate was also 3.35%. There were 402,000 unemployed people in April compared to 403,000 in the previous month. Total employment decreased by 6,000 from March to 11.63 million in April. On an unadjusted basis, the jobless rate dropped from 3.34% to 3.30%. 05/22/2026 - 04:41:00 (RTTNews)