EconoTicker

Turkey’s unemployment rate rose to 8.5% in February from 8.2% previously. The increase points to a softer labor-market reading, suggesting employment conditions weakened compared with the previous month.

Possible Market Effect: A higher unemployment rate may slightly reinforce concerns about domestic growth momentum.

Source: Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat).

South Korea’s February activity data showed a sharp monthly rebound in industrial production, which rose 5.4%, well above the 1.8% forecast and reversing the prior 2.4% decline. But the broader picture was less clean: service-sector output rose 0.5%, retail sales were flat at 0.0% after 2.9% previously, and industrial production fell 2.2% year-on-year, missing the 6.0% forecast and slowing sharply from 6.8%. The mix suggests production recovered strongly on a monthly basis, while domestic demand and annual momentum remained softer.

Importance: Low

Possible market effect: The strong monthly factory rebound can offer some support to Korean risk sentiment, but the weak annual reading and flat retail sales may limit any sustained positive reaction in the won or local equities.

Mexico’s fiscal balance showed a -50.73B deficit in February, compared with -19.32B previously, pointing to a wider budget gap at the start of the year. The deterioration suggests public finances faced a weaker monthly position, which may keep attention on government borrowing needs and the broader fiscal path.

Importance: Low

Possible market effect: A wider fiscal deficit can be mildly negative for the Mexican peso and local bonds if markets begin to expect heavier funding needs. Still, one monthly reading alone is unlikely to shift pricing sharply unless the weakness continues.

Source: Mexico’s Ministry of Finance and Public Credit (SHCP), Finanzas públicas y deuda pública a febrero de 2026.

The Bank of Israel left its policy rate unchanged at 4.00% in March, matching both the forecast and the previous level. The decision points to a steady policy stance for now, suggesting officials are still reluctant to move quickly while inflation, growth, and war-related uncertainty remain important for the outlook.

Importance: Low

Source: Bank of Israel.

South Africa’s budget balance improved sharply to a 27.28B surplus in February, compared with a 69.69B deficit previously. The turnaround points to a significantly stronger monthly fiscal position, offering some relief on the public finance front even if broader budget pressures remain important.

Importance: Low

Source: National Treasury of South Africa.

Brazil’s bank lending increased 0.4% month-on-month in February, after a 0.2% decline previously. The improvement points to a recovery in credit activity, suggesting lending conditions became somewhat more supportive after the prior month’s contraction.

Importance: Low

Source: Banco Central do Brasil (BCB).

Brazil’s IGP-M inflation index rose 0.52% month-on-month in March, reversing the previous 0.73% decline. The rebound suggests wholesale and pipeline price pressures strengthened again at the start of the second quarter, potentially keeping inflation trends under closer watch.

Importance: Low

Source: Fundação Getulio Vargas (FGV IBRE).

Turkey’s Economic Confidence Index dropped to 97.90 in March from 100.70 previously, moving back below the key 100 threshold. The decline suggests sentiment across the economy weakened again, pointing to more cautious expectations among consumers and businesses.

Importance: Low

Source: Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat).

South Africa’s M3 money supply growth increased to 8.39% YoY in February from 7.44% previously, indicating a firmer pace of liquidity expansion in the economy. The rise suggests monetary conditions remained relatively accommodative, which may support activity but could also keep inflation dynamics in focus.

Importance: Low

Source: South African Reserve Bank (SARB).

South Africa’s private sector credit growth rose to 10.50% YoY in February, up from 8.83% previously, pointing to stronger lending activity across the economy. The increase suggests credit conditions remained supportive, even as higher borrowing growth may also keep attention on household and corporate leverage trends.

Importance: Low

Source: South African Reserve Bank (SARB).

Trade negotiations between Switzerland and the United States will continue beyond the original March target, after both sides failed to finalize a lasting agreement on tariff reductions. Swiss President Guy Parmelin said the end-of-month deadline is now effectively off the table, with further talks expected in the second quarter. The delay keeps uncertainty elevated for Swiss exporters that had hoped for a clearer resolution this month.

The stakes remain high for Switzerland’s export-heavy economy. Since August, Swiss goods have faced unusually steep U.S. trade pressure, including a 39% duty at one stage, before a preliminary understanding in November reduced that burden to 15%. But shifting U.S. legal and policy actions have complicated the path toward a permanent settlement. The uncertainty is especially sensitive for pharmaceuticals, watches, and precision machinery, while investors are now watching April talks for signs of a temporary standstill that could shield Swiss exports from fresh U.S. trade probes.

Source: RSI interview with Swiss President Guy Parmelin; Swiss Federal Council.

Mexico’s labor market remained relatively firm in February. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose to 2.7% from 2.6%, while the non-seasonally adjusted rate held at 2.6%. At the same time, the country’s trade balance moved into a USD 1.09 billion deficit, after a USD 1.463 billion deficit previously, while the broader balance measure also showed a USD 463 million deficit against expectations for a surplus. The combination suggests job-market conditions stayed resilient, but external trade softened as imports continued to outpace exports.

Source: INEGI — National Survey of Occupation and Employment (ENOE); International Merchandise Trade Statistics of Mexico.