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Eurozone business activity slips as services weaken and US retail sales surge
Economy
Published on 26 April 2026
The Middle East shock hit services first
Euro area business activity fell as the services sector weakened, with analysts pointing to spillovers from the Middle East conflict. At the same time, US retail sales rose, suggesting consumers in the US are still spending despite global pressures. The contrast highlights how regional shocks are hitting demand unevenly across major economies.
- Eurozone services activity contracted, dragging overall business activity
- Middle East tensions are cited as a key downside factor for services
- US retail sales jumped, signaling a sturdier consumer than expected
- Economic momentum now appears sharply split across regions
Read the full story at The Economic Times
This summarization was done by Beige for a story published on 
The Economic Times