Economy InternationalEconomy Internationalen972A9375-DB30-4AF9-97AF-F008354B77C0https://qna.org.qa/en/News-Area/News/2026-5/18/chinas-retail-sales-up-19-pct-in-first-four-monthsBeijing, May 18 (QNA) -China's retail sales of consumer goods, a major indicator of the country's consumption strength, expanded 1.9 percent year on year in the first four months of 2026.Mon, 18 May 2026 10:06:02 ZD49019EB-955F-4B8C-8F91-F6E286FC6E7Dhttps://qna.org.qa/en/News-Area/News/2026-5/18/s-koreas-stock-exchange-issues-sell-side-sidecar-for-kospi-after-sharp-declineSeoul, May 18 (QNA) - The South Korean stock exchange activated a sell-side sidecar for the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) for a second consecutive session, following its sharp decline driven by global markets, escalating inflation, and geopolitical concerns.Mon, 18 May 2026 10:04:22 ZEDB20146-46D0-4340-BC4C-BF13AA121BFEhttps://qna.org.qa/en/News-Area/News/2026-5/18/oil-prices-rise-by-over-1Singapore, May 18 (QNA) - Oil prices rose in early trading on Monday, by more than 1 percent, amid developments in the Middle East conflict.Mon, 18 May 2026 07:34:34 ZAE9B66FA-4B7C-4077-B025-DBF50348953Ahttps://qna.org.qa/en/News-Area/News/2026-5/17/turkish-minister-of-trade-to-qna-turkiye-implemented-proactive-measures-amidst-escalating-tensions-in-strait-of-hormuzAnkara, May 17 (QNA) - Turkish Minister of Trade Omer Bolat said that Turkiye has taken a series of proactive measures to ensure the continuity of trade and logistics services amidst escalating tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, pointing to the implementation of alternative transport routes and the round-the-clock monitoring of developments on the ground.Sun, 17 May 2026 12:56:37 Z32BC8015-B627-485E-9EC1-5711B12E560Chttps://qna.org.qa/en/News-Area/News/2026-5/17/profits-of-s-koreas-top-companies-exceed-156-trillion-won-in-first-quarter-of-2026Seoul, May 17 (QNA) - Operating profits at South Korea's top companies exceeded 156 trillion won (US$104 billion) in the first quarter of this year, with more than 60 percent generated by the country's two leading chipmakers.Sun, 17 May 2026 11:23:31 ZA4E87802-2C17-4406-811B-EB487F5569DBhttps://qna.org.qa/en/News-Area/News/2026-5/16/german-government-expects-lower-growth-in-q2Berlin, May 16 (QNA) - The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy of Germany forecast a clear slowdown in the German economy during the second quarter of this year amid rising prices, supply chain problems, and uncertainty linked to developments in the war in the Middle East and its impact on energy markets, raw materials, and international trade.Sat, 16 May 2026 05:28:50 ZD53BED69-DD6A-4222-B46B-050F6C5A241Ahttps://qna.org.qa/en/News-Area/News/2026-5/16/us-stocks-end-week-lowerNew York, May 16 (QNA) - US stocks closed lower Friday, ending a strong week on a negative note.Sat, 16 May 2026 02:20:23 ZFD30E3C6-D7E1-451E-A29F-B833A16DA48Ahttps://qna.org.qa/en/News-Area/News/2026-5/15/china-us-agree-to-boost-bilateral-trade-as-part-of-tariff-reductionsBeijing, May 15 (QNA) - The economic teams of China and the United States have agreed to increase bilateral trade within the framework of a mutual reduction of tariffs.Fri, 15 May 2026 20:58:19 ZCDD7A2C0-0A5B-4382-8ED8-90803A9C055Ahttps://qna.org.qa/en/News-Area/News/2026-5/15/gold-slips-to-more-than-one-week-low-amid-inflation-rate-concernsSingapore, May 15 (QNA) - Gold prices fell to a more than one-week low on Friday as rising energy prices fueled inflation concerns and reinforced expectations of prolonged high interest rates.Fri, 15 May 2026 08:47:55 ZD063D4F5-8A0C-4036-9172-C8F0123AD929https://qna.org.qa/en/News-Area/News/2026-5/15/oil-gains-as-markets-eye-middle-east-developmentsSingapore, May 15 (QNA) - Oil prices rose on Friday as markets remained cautious over escalating Middle East developments and their potential impact on Strait of Hormuz shipping flows.Fri, 15 May 2026 08:18:55 ZEF9AE91C-26E6-4FEF-8F2B-BEDC3B77ED4Ahttps://qna.org.qa/en/News-Area/News/2026-5/15/imf-says-its-watching-middle-east-conflicts-impact-on-fertilizers-supplyWashington, May 15 (QNA) - The International Monetary Fund (IMF) confirmed that it is closely monitoring the energy crisis resulting from the conflict in the Middle East and its impact on fertilizer shipments.Fri, 15 May 2026 03:16:10 ZBBAAFFF5-CC71-41A8-830A-20083E343F0Dhttps://qna.org.qa/en/News-Area/News/2026-5/15/us-stocks-close-higherNew York, May 15 (QNA) - US stocks closed significantly higher on Thursday.Fri, 15 May 2026 01:51:21 ZEFD5C44B-81C6-4DA3-B946-A15FEB433BCDhttps://qna.org.qa/en/News-Area/News/2026-5/14/nikkei-slips-from-record-high-on-inflation-concernsTokyo, May 14 (QNA) - Japan's Nikkei index hit a record high on Thursday before retreating into negative territory, amid concerns about inflation and higher interest rates.Thu, 14 May 2026 12:02:45 ZF344A223-15DC-46A8-B725-12370A35E38Bhttps://qna.org.qa/en/News-Area/News/2026-5/14/european-stocks-riseBrussels, May 14 (QNA) - European stocks rose in Thursday's session, supported by momentum in the artificial intelligence sector that outweighed geopolitical concerns related to developments in West Asia.Thu, 14 May 2026 11:36:51 Z6F753932-1762-49E1-AF27-1DE2AA24124Bhttps://qna.org.qa/en/News-Area/News/2026-5/14/dollar-boosted-by-rising-us-bond-yieldsSingapore, May 14 (QNA) - The dollar got a lift from elevated US Treasury yields on Thursday as investors wagered the Federal Reserve would hike rates this year, while an ‌impasse between the US and Iran over the war in the Middle East drove more safe-haven flows.Thu, 14 May 2026 09:06:15 Z5C92265C-014F-4B06-9973-375BE68BAF8Chttps://qna.org.qa/en/News-Area/News/2026-5/14/s-korea-ict-exports-surge-1259-on-aiSeoul, May 14 (QNA) - South Korea's exports of information and communication technology (ICT) products rose 125.9% year-on-year in April to $42.71 billion, exceeding $40 billion for the second consecutive month, supported by strong demand for AI-related semiconductors.Thu, 14 May 2026 08:43:47 Z458C4C41-FCEF-46B5-B026-5820CB53B697https://qna.org.qa/en/News-Area/News/2026-5/14/oil-prices-rise-as-markets-anticipate-geopolitical-developmentsBeijing, May 14 (QNA) - Oil prices slightly rose on Thursday as markets await US-China talks, while traders remain focused on the crisis of the Iran war.Thu, 14 May 2026 08:36:48 Z8DC845CE-0095-48E3-AD11-C704DF46A40Bhttps://qna.org.qa/en/News-Area/News/2026-5/14/gold-rises-slightly-on-weaker-dollarSingapore, May 14 (QNA) - Gold prices ticked up on Thursday, buoyed by a weaker dollar, as investors focused on US-China talks.Thu, 14 May 2026 08:20:37 Z3FAEE7F5-76E5-4291-8759-BC5F4AAD5DB9https://qna.org.qa/en/News-Area/News/2026-5/14/us-stocks-close-mixedNew York, May 14 (QNA) - Major US stock indexes on Wall Street closed mixed in trading on Wednesday.Thu, 14 May 2026 00:58:19 Z3902727C-C166-4848-A4E3-697289F4DF8Bhttps://qna.org.qa/en/News-Area/News/2026-5/14/oil-settles-down-more-than-1-percentNew York, May 14 (QNA) - Oil prices fell by more than 1 percent at settlement on Wednesday.Thu, 14 May 2026 00:28:17 ZEF31B639-997F-40E7-B694-62AB0CE1DBD5https://qna.org.qa/en/News-Area/News/2026-5/13/european-stocks-close-higherBrussels, May 13 (QNA) - European shares closed higher on Wednesday, buoyed by a surge in mining stocks.Wed, 13 May 2026 23:41:15 Z390A5BD5-5A72-4442-B448-1BF4696BDE8Fhttps://qna.org.qa/en/News-Area/News/2026-5/13/pakistan-imf-hold-talks-on-enhancing-cooperationIslamabad, May 13 (QNA) - Pakistan's finance minister, Muhammad Aurangzeb, met on Wednesday with a delegation from the International Monetary Fund headed by Eva Petrova, which is visiting Pakistan.Wed, 13 May 2026 23:04:00 ZFBD4CB44-3699-404F-A290-56BC1199E9E7https://qna.org.qa/en/News-Area/News/2026-5/13/us-crude-oil-gasoline-inventories-fall-last-weekWashington, May 13 (QNA) - The US Energy Information Administration said that US crude oil and gasoline inventories declined last week, while distillate stockpiles increased.Wed, 13 May 2026 20:17:44 Z493FC15F-D96C-4851-8C29-5915577F555Ahttps://qna.org.qa/en/News-Area/News/2026-5/13/iea-forecasts-global-oil-supply-to-plunge-below-demand-in-2026Paris, May 13 (QNA) - The International Energy Agency (IEA) has predicted a decline in global oil demand in 2026, averaging 104 million barrels per day, which is 1.3 million barrels per day lower than the pre-war forecast. Wed, 13 May 2026 14:08:58 ZB5649DA1-4B35-4242-96D7-2D471B8D840Fhttps://qna.org.qa/en/News-Area/News/2026-5/13/oman-crude-oil-price-falls-by-010Muscat, May 13 (QNA) - The official price of Oman crude oil for July delivery stood at $104.64 per barrel on Wednesday.Wed, 13 May 2026 12:41:03 ZD2D855B0-FCCF-4B3F-9AA1-E86C95811BDEhttps://qna.org.qa/en/News-Area/News/2026-5/13/japans-nikkei-closes-higherTokyo, May 13 (QNA) - Japan's Nikkei index erased losses recorded earlier in Wednesday's session to close higher, supported by a jump in shares of memory-chip maker Kioxia, while the broader Topix index also rose 1 percent as investor confidence grew regarding the earnings outlook for domestic companies.Wed, 13 May 2026 11:51:08 Z802F6F91-078C-4836-91F1-D036EAB305E3https://qna.org.qa/en/News-Area/News/2026-5/13/european-stocks-open-higherBrussels, May 13 (QNA) - European stock markets opened trading higher on Wednesday, supported by oil prices rising above the USD 100-a-barrel level, continued inflationary pressures, and the political stalemate in West Asia.Wed, 13 May 2026 11:46:02 Z0F329A34-57AF-494A-A643-3B78261E80C6https://qna.org.qa/en/News-Area/News/2026-5/13/german-automotive-industry-threatened-with-225000-job-losses-by-2035Berlin, May 13 (QNA) - Germany's automotive industry could lose about 35,000 more jobs than previously forecast, the president of the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) Hildegard Muller said.Wed, 13 May 2026 10:28:46 Z0BBC72F8-F785-4DDB-8BD5-057F36970F15https://qna.org.qa/en/News-Area/News/2026-5/13/gold-steady-with-us-china-summit-loomsSingapore, May 13 (QNA) - Gold prices held steady in early Asian trade on Wednesday, as investors stayed on the sidelines ahead of a key US-China summit in Beijing, while keeping an eye on developments surrounding the Middle East conflict.Wed, 13 May 2026 09:01:04 Z74955501-201B-49F0-9BC4-4B3606FFBA27https://qna.org.qa/en/News-Area/News/2026-5/13/dollar-near-one-week-high-amid-middle-east-uncertaintySingapore, May 13 (QNA) - The dollar held near a one-week high on Wednesday as risk sentiment soured after a hot US inflation reading sent Treasury yields ‌higher, and oil inched up on renewed Middle East uncertainty.Wed, 13 May 2026 08:55:50 Z072BB1FB-B559-4B2E-8125-95C799C76F5Fhttps://qna.org.qa/en/News-Area/News/2026-5/13/oil-prices-fall-after-three-consecutive-sessions-of-gainsSingapore, May 13 (QNA) - Oil prices fell Wednesday after rising for three consecutive sessions, as investors awaited developments regarding the fragile ceasefire in the war with Iran.Wed, 13 May 2026 08:45:37 ZC7BEB5CB-E110-43C7-8E9A-5CE66E6C18E6https://qna.org.qa/en/News-Area/News/2026-5/13/us-stocks-close-mixedNew York, May 13 (QNA) - The main stock indices on Wall Street closed mixed at the end of trading today.Wed, 13 May 2026 01:02:39 Z10099A5C-DD13-4719-9151-B1D60A960CF5https://qna.org.qa/en/News-Area/News/2026-5/13/oil-prices-rise-at-settlementNew York, May 13 (QNA) - Oil prices rose at settlement for the third consecutive session today, influenced by developments in the Middle East.Wed, 13 May 2026 00:52:59 ZD075F7E2-C226-4BBE-A295-3DA1A866E601https://qna.org.qa/en/News-Area/News/2026-5/12/european-stocks-close-lowerBrussels, May 12 (QNA) - European stock indices closed lower today, amid growing doubts about the possibility of a quick resolution to the escalation in the Middle East.Tue, 12 May 2026 23:28:02 ZE7810483-AA6D-4E14-B58E-83E75EC03499https://qna.org.qa/en/News-Area/News/2026-5/12/japans-nikkei-ends-higher-as-ai-related-shares-riseTokyo, May 12 (QNA) - Japan's ​Nikkei share average ended higher after choppy ​trade on Tuesday, as investors bought shares that would benefit from growth in artificial intelligence.Tue, 12 May 2026 13:17:28 Z525C665F-404A-41B4-9FAD-F0292FBFA2C6https://qna.org.qa/en/News-Area/News/2026-5/12/german-inflation-rises-to-29-in-aprilBerlin, May 12 (QNA) - Germany's inflation rate, measured by the annual change in the consumer price index, rose to 2.9 percent in April 2026, compared with 2.7 percent in March, according to data issued on Tuesday by the German Federal Statistical Office.Tue, 12 May 2026 11:52:25 ZEBCBFD2A-8AB9-4D7F-801D-7EE36C724054https://qna.org.qa/en/News-Area/News/2026-5/12/european-stocks-open-lowerBrussels, May 12 (QNA) - European shares tumbled on Tuesday, as fading hopes of a US-Iran ‌peace deal pushed energy prices higher, following US President Donald Trump's comment calling ​the ceasefire with Iran "on life support."Tue, 12 May 2026 11:49:51 Z2F46F4C5-7130-4103-89ED-6FA101082063https://qna.org.qa/en/News-Area/News/2026-5/12/dollar-steadies-as-hopes-for-end-to-middle-east-war-recedeSingapore, May 12 (QNA) - The US dollar held its ground on Tuesday as talks to end the war in the Middle East showed no signs of progress, pushing oil prices higher and worrying investors that interest rates may need to stay higher to tackle inflationary pressures.Tue, 12 May 2026 09:30:15 Z1B85836A-BF1C-4694-A339-2C62F6E0536Bhttps://qna.org.qa/en/News-Area/News/2026-5/12/oil-prices-rise-amid-ongoing-supply-concernsTokyo, May 12 (QNA) - Oil prices rose in early Asian trade on Tuesday as supply concerns persisted amid fragile negotiations aimed at ending the conflict between the United States and Iran.Tue, 12 May 2026 09:14:03 ZC637D27B-434B-4750-A4F0-97669E9B6A07https://qna.org.qa/en/News-Area/News/2026-5/11/japans-nikkei-falls-at-closeTokyo, May 11 (QNA) - Japan's Nikkei index fell 0.5 percent at the close of trading on Monday to finish at 62,417.88 points, after hitting a record high of 63,385.04 points earlier, pressured by concerns related to developments in West Asia.Mon, 11 May 2026 11:57:17 Z6522CD42-E108-4CD3-BD97-0C96F6B15EDDhttps://qna.org.qa/en/News-Area/News/2026-5/11/european-stocks-flat-at-openBrussels, May 11 (QNA) - European stocks showed limited movement during trading on Monday, amid cautious trading conditions. Mon, 11 May 2026 11:30:22 ZD52B7D13-3CE6-4902-9051-C473D5F2F7AFhttps://qna.org.qa/en/News-Area/News/2026-5/11/dollar-advances-for-a-second-day-supported-by-strong-us-jobs-dataSingapore, May 11 (QNA) - The US dollar advanced for a second day ‌against its major peers in Asian trade on Monday, supported by strong US jobs data and safe-haven demand driven by developments in the Middle East.Mon, 11 May 2026 10:16:24 Z661C1CFF-B5E0-447C-BC1F-FCE6270A5B9Ahttps://qna.org.qa/en/News-Area/News/2026-5/11/demand-for-travel-boosts-chinas-consumer-inflation-in-aprilBeijing, May 11 (QNA) - China's consumer price index (CPI), a main gauge of inflation, rose 1.2 percent year on year in April, up 0.2 percentage points from the previous month, according to data released by the National Bureau of Statistics.Mon, 11 May 2026 09:14:54 Z72370DD6-3832-4C6F-8B42-2CF9E84AAAFBhttps://qna.org.qa/en/News-Area/News/2026-5/11/gold-falls-amid-inflation-concernsSingapore, May 11 (QNA) - Gold prices fell on Monday amid concerns that elevated inflation could keep interest rates higher for longer.Mon, 11 May 2026 07:29:00 Z49E7FA4B-C355-455E-8C98-25949B6650A8https://qna.org.qa/en/News-Area/News/2026-5/11/oil-prices-rise-more-than-2-percentSingapore, May 11 (QNA) - Oil prices rose in early trading on Monday after US President Donald Trump said he rejected Iran's response to proposals aimed at ending the war.Mon, 11 May 2026 06:23:34 Z5B4A175E-ABDD-420E-8179-7B5396857D9Dhttps://qna.org.qa/en/News-Area/News/2026-5/10/imf-approves-132bn-funding-for-pakistan-amid-economic-pressuresWashington, May 10 (QNA) - The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved a new disbursement of $1.32 billion for Pakistan under its ongoing support programs, aiming to bolster the country's economy amid global and regional economic challenges.Sun, 10 May 2026 01:54:11 Z081262E7-7E84-4442-B3B6-78734C15C9B0https://qna.org.qa/en/News-Area/News/2026-5/9/uk-prime-minister-appoints-gordon-brown-as-special-envoy-on-global-financeLondon, May 09 (QNA) - British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has appointed former premier Gordon Brown as a special envoy on global financial affairs, Downing Street said on Saturday.Sat, 9 May 2026 20:00:10 Z9E5C9C25-6079-4F29-B846-EE7D155D62B4https://qna.org.qa/en/News-Area/News/2026-5/9/chinas-foreign-trade-expands-142-in-aprilBeijing, May 09 (QNA) - China's foreign trade in yuan-denominated terms grew 14.2% year-on-year in April, data from the General Administration of Customs showed on Saturday.Sat, 9 May 2026 10:10:42 ZC4751DC4-F1BE-4511-A9E8-3C65611ACC2Ahttps://qna.org.qa/en/News-Area/News/2026-5/9/qnb-us-consumer-demand-remains-resilient-amid-rising-headwindsDoha, May 09 (QNA) - The US economy continues to display notable resilience against an increasingly complex and uncertain global backdrop, Qatar National Bank (QNB) said in its weekly economic commentary.Sat, 9 May 2026 09:23:18 ZB96A495A-BC14-4990-9D86-23276EBB19FFhttps://qna.org.qa/en/News-Area/News/2026-5/9/us-stocks-end-friday-trading-broadly-higherNew York, May 09 (QNA) - US stocks closed mostly higher on Friday. Sat, 9 May 2026 03:26:22 Z