ABN AMRO’s Senior US Economist Rogier Quaedvlieg argues that US growth has slowed sharply outside AI-related activity, with near-zero job creation and downgraded GDP.

Danske Research Team expects the central bank of Norway, Norges Bank (NB) to keep its policy rate unchanged at 4% at the upcoming meeting, reflecting Middle East-related uncertainty and volatile energy prices.

UOB economist analysts Quek Ser Leang Lee and Sue Ann report that GBP/USD traded softer, closing at 1.3366 after a narrower 1.3359–1.3436 range than expected. They see mild downward pressure intraday, though a move to 1.3320 is unlikely.

Spain Gross Domestic Product (YoY) registered at 2.7% above expectations (2.6%) in 4Q

Spain Gross Domestic Product (QoQ) meets expectations (0.8%) in 4Q

France Consumer Confidence meets expectations (89) in March

France Business Climate in Manufacturing came in at 99 below forecasts (100) in March

Here is what you need to know on Thursday, March 26:

Commerzbank analyst Michael Pfister notes that the central bank of Norway, Norges Bank is set to decide policy after previously signalling only gradual cuts, making a rate reduction unlikely, especially following the Iran war.

Danske Research Team notes global equities extended gains, with Stoxx 600 up 1.4% and S&P 500 up 0.5% in a geopolitical reversal trade. Cyclicals outperformed defensives, though investors remain only cautiously optimistic.

Sweden Trade Balance (MoM) down to 1.8B in February from previous 6.3B

Sweden Trade Balance (MoM) rose from previous 6.3B to 162B in February

Germany GfK Consumer Confidence Survey came in at -28, below expectations (-26.5) in April

DBS Group Research’s Philip Wee notes that Brent remains capped below $100 as markets reassess Iran conflict risks and shift focus toward a potential diplomatic off-ramp.

European Central Bank (ECB) policymaker and Bundesbank chief Joachim Nagel said during European trading hours on Thursday that an interest rate hike in the April policy meeting is certainly an option.

ING economists Peter Virovacz and Zoltán Homolya expect the Hungarian Forint to remain volatile as geopolitical tensions and the April 2026 elections weigh on sentiment.

Rabobank strategist Molly Schwartz highlights that the Eurozone is already economically exposed to the conflict via higher energy prices.

Asian stock markets face profit-booking on Thursday after rallying in the last two-three trading days.

Netherlands, The Gross Domestic Product n.s.a (YoY) meets forecasts (1.8%) in 4Q

Singapore Industrial Production (YoY) declined to -0.1% in February from previous 16.6%

Singapore Industrial Production (MoM) fell from previous 5.3% to -7.2% in February

The US Dollar Index (DXY), which measures the value of the US Dollar (USD) against six major currencies, inches lower after two days of gains and is trading around 99.60 during the Asian hours on Thursday.

Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) reports through a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, that it has completed a series of attacks on Isfahan, city in central Iran.

US President Donald Trump reiterated early Thursday that Iran is negotiating to end the war.

Japan Corporate Service Price Index (YoY) up to 2.7% in February from previous 2.6%

Japan Foreign Investment in Japan Stocks increased to ¥-2B in March 20 from previous ¥-1772.6B

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) Assistant Governor Christopher Kent warned that if the Middle East conflict prolongs, the economic damage would be greater and policymakers would need to cap inflation amid surging energy prices.

DBS Group Research economists Byron Lam and Daisy Sharma present a China GDP Nowcast indicating real GDP growth likely improved to 4.7% in 1Q 2026 from 4.5% in Q4 2025.

BNY’s Geoff Yu highlights that APAC balance-of-payments pressures from the Iran conflict and energy by-products are increasingly driving currency flows, with MYR, THB, AUD and PHP in focus.

DBS Group Research economist Radhika Rao discusses Indonesia’s onshore markets as they reopen after the Lebaran holiday to a backdrop of uncertain geopolitics and volatile global sentiment.