Key Events Around the Globe Investors Must Know

UK GDP Rebounds 0.1% in August

The UK economy expanded slightly as expected in August on the back of the production sector, the Office for National Statistics reported Thursday. Real gross domestic product advanced 0.1 per cent month-on-month in August, reversing a revised 0.1 per cent decline in July. Total production in the industrial sector grew 0.4 per cent compared to July, while services activity remained flat and the construction sector contracted 0.3 per cent.

US Budget Deficit Dips in Fiscal 2025 on Boost from Tariffs, Education Spending Cuts

The U.S. budget deficit shrank by $41 billion to $1.775 trillion in the 2025 fiscal year as an increase in revenue from President Donald Trump’s tariffs and cuts to education spending helped offset higher outlays on healthcare and retirement programs and interest on the debt, the Treasury Department said on Thursday. The smaller deficit was aided by a record $195 billion in net customs receipts for the fiscal year, an increase of $118 billion from the prior year as new Trump tariffs rolled in.

Eurozone Trade Surplus Shrinks in August

The euro area trade surplus decreased in August from a year ago as exports fell faster than imports, official data revealed on Thursday. The trade surplus dropped to EUR 1.0 billion in August from EUR 3.0 billion last year, Eurostat reported. In July, the trade surplus was EUR 12.7 billion. This downturn was mainly due to a sharp reduction in the surplus of machinery and vehicles, which fell from EUR 18.0 billion to EUR 7.8 billion

U.S. Homebuilder Confidence Improves Much More Than Expected in October

A report released by the National Association of Home Builders on Thursday showed homebuilder confidence in the U.S. has improved by much more than anticipated in the month of October. The report said the NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index jumped to 37 in October after holding steady at 32 in September. Economists had expected the index to inch up to 33. With the much bigger than expected increase, the housing market index reached its highest level since hitting 40 in April.

Source: HDFC Securities Prime Daily, 17 October 2025

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