Key Events Around the Globe: Feb 24

China Leaves Loan Prime Rate Steady in Feb Amid Mixed Growth Signals

China kept its benchmark lending rates unchanged for a ninth straight month in February, underscoring a cautious monetary policy stance amid mixed economic signals and subdued domestic demand.

The one-year loan prime rate (LPR) was left steady at 3.00%, while the five-year LPR, a reference for mortgage rates, remained at 3.50%, data from the People’s Bank of China showed on Tuesday. The move was in line with market expectations.

The decision comes as the world’s second-largest economy grapples with uneven recovery momentum, subdued credit demand and persistent strains in the property sector. Recent data have pointed to soft inflationary pressures and patchy domestic demand, while exports have shown resilience amid global trade uncertainties.

US Factory Orders Fall in December on Commercial Aircraft Bookings

New orders for U.S. factory goods fell in December amid a sharp decline in commercial aircraft bookings, but demand elsewhere was strong, partly driven by robust investment in artificial intelligence. Factory orders dropped 0.7% after an unrevised 2.7% increase in November, the Commerce Department’s Census Bureau said on Monday.

German Business Confidence At 6 Month High

German business confidence strengthened to a six-month high in February on improving assessment about current situation and upbeat outlook, survey data from the Munich-based ifo Institute showed Monday. The business climate index rose more-than-expected to 88.6 in February from 87.6 in the previous month. The score was the highest since last August. The expected reading was 88.4.

Italy Inflation Eases As Estimated

Italy’s consumer price inflation eased to the lowest since late 2024 in January, final data from the statistical office ISTAT showed Monday. Consumer price inflation slowed to 1.0 percent in January from 1.2 percent in December. The statistical office confirmed the preliminary estimate published on February4. This was the lowest level recorded since October 2024.

Source: HSL Prime Daily, 24 Feb 2026