外匯市場最新訊息

February 20, 2026

United States (U.S.) Reports Released on Friday by the Commerce Department

A highly anticipated report released by the Commerce Department on Friday showed consumer prices in the U.S. increased in December. The Commerce Department reported that its PCE price index climbed by 0.4% in December after inching up by 0.2% in November. The slightly bigger monthly increase in prices came as prices for goods grew by 0.4% and prices for services rose by 0.3%.

The report also stated that the PCE price index in December increased by 2.9% compared to the same month a year ago, reflecting an uptick from 2.8% in November. Excluding food and energy prices, the core PCE price index increased by 0.4% in December after rising by 0.2% in November. The annual rate of growth by the core PCE price index also accelerated to 3.0% in December from 2.8% in November.

The Federal Reserve's preferred readings on consumer price inflation were included in the Commerce Department's report on personal income and spending. The report said personal income rose by 0.3% in December after climbing by 0.4% in November. Disposable personal income, or personal income less personal current taxes, rose by 0.3% for the second consecutive month.

Meanwhile, the Commerce Department reported that personal spending rose by 0.4% in December, matching the increase in November. With spending climbing more than income, personal saving as a percentage of disposable personal income edged down to 3.6% in December from 3.7% in November. 02/20/2026 - 10:20:00 (RTTNews)

Partly reflecting the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, the Commerce Department released on Friday showing U.S. economic growth slowed in the fourth quarter of 2025. The report said GDP climbed by 1.4% in the fourth quarter after surging by 4.4% in the third quarter.

The Commerce Department noted increases in consumer spending and investment were partly offset by decreases in government spending and exports. The bigger slowdown in GDP growth compared to the previous quarter reflected the downturn in government spending, exports, and a deceleration in consumer spending. An increase in investment helped limit the slowdown, along with a smaller decrease in imports, which is a subtraction from the calculation of GDP.

On the inflation front, the Commerce Department said its PCE price index spiked by 2.9% in the fourth quarter after jumping by 2.8% in the third quarter. Meanwhile, the report said the core PCE price index, which excludes food and energy prices, shot up by 2.7% in the third quarter compared with a 2.9% surge in the third quarter. 02/20/2026 - 10:01:00 (RTTNews)

Eurozone Private Sector Growth Improves

Euro traded at 1.1781 against USD at 9:00 AM PST

The euro area private sector growth improved to a three-month high in February, driven by notable expansion in the German manufacturing sector. The flash composite output index registered 51.9 in February, up from 51.3 in January. The index has remained above the 50.0 no-change mark for the fourteenth straight month and pointed to a moderate increase in the private sector.

Faster increases in activity were recorded across the manufacturing and services sectors in February. The services PMI climbed to 51.8 from 51.6. At the same time, the manufacturing PMI hit a 44-month high of 50.8 compared to 49.5 in the previous month. Germany posted a solid increase in business activity, which was the fastest in four months, while France registered broadly no change in output since January.

Germany's private sector growth accelerated to a four-month high in February, underpinned by improved performances in manufacturing and services. The flash composite output index registered 53.1 in February, up from 52.1 in January. This was the highest score since last October. The flash services PMI hit a four-month high of 53.4, up from 52.4 in the prior month. At the same time, the manufacturing PMI rose to a 44-month high of 50.7 from 49.1 in January. The reading was seen at 49.6.

Meanwhile, the downturn in the French private sector slowed in February as production output continued to expand. The headline composite output index climbed to 49.9 from 49.1 in January. The services PMI rose to 49.6 in February from 48.4 in the previous month. The manufacturing PMI posted 49.9, down from 51.2 a month ago. At the same time, the manufacturing output index fell to 51.6 from 52.1 in January. 02/20/2026 - 07:36:00 (RTTNews)

United Kingdom (U.K.) Private Sector Growth Accelerates to Near 2-Year High

British Pounds traded at 1.3494 against USD at 9:00 AM PST

The U.K. private sector rebounded the most in nearly two years in February as new orders registered a robust upturn. The flash composite output index registered 53.9 in February, up from 53.7 in January, to signal the fastest rise in private sector activity since April 2024. The improvement was driven by a sharper expansion of manufacturing production. Meanwhile, services output growth eased since January.

The services PMI dropped slightly to 53.9 from 54.0 in the prior month. Meanwhile, the factory PMI hit an 18-month high of 52.0, up from 51.8 in January. Higher levels of business activity were attributed to a sustained recovery in domestic and export demand. New orders rose the most since September 2024.

However, employment remained a weak spot as staffing decreased at a solid pace in February. Despite an increase in new work, there was a lack of pressure on business capacity. Unfinished business decreased in each month since May 2023.

Regarding prices, input price inflation eased to a three-month low due to another steep rise in business expenses. However, output charges rose the most since April 2025. There was a strong degree of confidence regarding the outlook for business activity in the year ahead. Positivity mainly reflected signs of a turnaround in customer demand and hopes of a broader upturn in market conditions. 02/20/2026 - 08:04:00 (RTTNews)