Chicago-area business activity slipped back below the neutral 50 level in August as new orders, production and order backlogs weakened sharply.

ISTAT’s composite business confidence indicator rose to 96.9 in August, led by a sharp rebound in construction and broader gains across services, manufacturing and retail.

Current services activity turned negative in August after July’s jump, but year-over-year growth and six-month expectations remained positive.

Japan’s Finance Ministry said foreign-exchange intervention totaled ¥15.3993 trillion from July 30 through August 26, exceeding the country’s previous monthly intervention high.

Canada’s economy grew 0.8% in the second quarter, or a 3.3% annualized pace, led by exports, household spending and business investment, helping the country avoid a technical recession.

France’s provisional CPI rose 0.7% in August from July, while harmonized inflation climbed to 2.7% and services inflation eased.

Statistics Sweden said GDP rose 1.6% in the second quarter, led by stronger fixed investment, net exports and household spending, signaling that Sweden’s recovery broadened after a weak start to 2026.

Spain’s August CPI flash estimate rose seven-tenths to 4.3%, with fuel prices lifting the headline rate even as core inflation eased to 2.9%.

The U.S. advance goods trade gap widened sharply in July as imports rose and exports fell, with a jump in capital-goods imports driving much of the month-to-month deterioration.

New U.S. unemployment claims fell last week and continuing claims also moved lower, pointing to a labor market that is still absorbing workers without a fresh wave of layoffs.