Latest Business News
Global Trade Downturn Eases at Start of 2026
The global trade downturn softened in January 2026, with manufacturing trade near-stabilizing and goods production rising at the sharpest pace since June 2024 due to increased new orders. Services trade declined further, particularly in the US due to geopolitical uncertainties, though excluding the US, services exports grew quickly.
Emerging markets saw renewed export order growth, led by India and South Korea.
Manufacturing Conditions Improve Globally in January
Global goods production accelerated sharply in January 2026, driven by the fastest new orders increase in nearly a year, signaling resilience into Q1. This improvement offset some trade weaknesses, with top economies like Japan, UK, China, India, and South Korea reporting higher goods exports.
South Korea's manufacturing exports grew at the fastest rate in almost five years from new products.
Emerging Markets Lead Export Recovery
Emerging markets experienced a broad-based rise in new export orders in January 2026 after stalling late 2025, with goods exports up fractionally led by India and China. Services exports in these markets grew stronger than manufacturing but softened for the second month.
India and South Korea accelerated growth rates from December.
Developed Markets See Softest Export Decline in Years
Developed markets reported slightly lower new export business in January 2026, the softest decline since June 2022, aided by slower goods export drops offsetting services weakness. Japan and the UK saw their first export order expansions in four years.
Overall, five of the top ten trading economies recorded higher goods exports.
US Services Exports Hit Hardest by Geopolitics
The US reported the strongest services new export business reduction since November 2022 in January 2026, dampened by geopolitical uncertainties. This contrasted with global services new business growth excluding the US, which rose at the quickest rate in almost a year.
Goods trade decline softened amid improving manufacturing.
EIB President Calls for EU Savings and Investments Union
European Investment Bank President Nadia Calvino urged the EU to make the savings and investments union a reality in a letter to European Council President Antonio Kosta. The strategy redirects European savings to investments in businesses for prosperity ahead of next week's informal council in Belgium.
Priorities include accelerating legislative proposals to channel savings where most needed.
EU Leaders to Discuss EIB Priorities in Belgium
Ahead of the informal European Council in Belgium, EIB outlined key priorities including the savings and investments union to foster economic growth. The union aims to redirect a small share of savings toward innovative European businesses.
Calvino emphasized urgent frameworks for effective investment channeling.
Global Goods Output Grows Sharply Entering 2026
Goods production rose at the joint-sharpest pace since June 2024 in January, offering positive signs for Q1 resilience after 2025 strength. This was driven by accelerating new orders, supporting trade stabilization.
Emerging markets contributed significantly to this upturn.
China Sees Renewed Goods Demand from Abroad
Mainland China observed a slight renewed rise in goods new export orders in January 2026, joining other top economies in recovery. This followed fractional goods export gains across emerging markets.
Services inflows remained softer but positive.
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