Peru's annual inflation rate declined to 2.38 percent in April 2021, the least since last December, from 2.60 percent in the previous month, as food and beverages inflation dropped to a 6-month low of 2 percent in April from 2.66 percent in March, while transport and communication inflation eased to 2.33 percent from 2.76 percent. Meanwhile, prices continued to increase for housing and utilities (7.02 percent vs 6.16 percent), health care (4.43 percent vs 4.28 percent), and recreation, culture and education (1.86 percent vs 1.81 percent). On a monthly basis, consumer prices edged down 0.10 percent in April.

Exports from South Korea soared 41.1% yoy to USD 51.19 billion in April 2021, much faster than a 16.6% growth in March and compared with market expectations of a 44% jump. This was the sixth straight month of increase in outbound shipments and the steepest pace since January 2011, amid strengthening global demand in the aftermath of the COVID- crisis. The latest reading was also supported by a low base in 2020. Sales of semiconductors, the country's top export, surged 30.2%, the tenth straight month of growth; while those of cars and petrochemical products climbed 73.4% and 82.6%, respectively. Exports also grew for displays (43.5%), ships (14.3%), and rechargeable batteries (28%). Shipments to China jumped 31.7%, while those to the US gained 43%. Both sales hit their highest for any April month. Sales also rose to Southeast Asia nations (45.5%), and Japan (23.9%), while shipments to India more than doubled as New Delhi expanded its infrastructure spending.

The annual inflation rate in Iran increased to 49.5 percent in April 2021, the most since June 2019, from 48.7 percent in the previous month, due mainly to faster rise in prices of both housing & utilities (29.8% vs 28.4%) and transport (56.3% vs 54.0%). Also, inflation accelerated for furniture & household equipment (71.3% vs 68.3% in March), clothing & footwear (55.6% vs 52.1%), restaurants & hotels (58.1% vs 49.1%), recreation & culture (61.7% vs 60.1%), miscellaneous goods & services (53.4% vs 47.8%), and health & medical services (44.3% vs 40.2%). Meanwhile, prices continued to increase for food & non-alcoholic beverages (63.5% vs 67.0%), communication (19.4% vs 20.3%), and tobacco (47.9% vs 51.7%). On a monthly basis, consumer prices went up 2.7 percent in April, the most in 5 months, accelerating from a 1.8 percent rise in March.

Gold extended losses to below $1,770 an ounce on Friday, close to levels not seen in two weeks and recording its worst week in more than a month as prospects of a robust economic recovery pushed Treasury yields higher, denting bullion's appeal. The US economy advanced at an annual rate of 6.4% in the first quarter of 2021, while a slew of economic data, including upbeat personal income and spending figures and a better-than-expected jobless claims report, reinforced the view of a strong US economic bounce. Meantime, the US Federal Reserve reiterated its ultra-accommodative monetary policy while also acknowledging an improving economic outlook and a rise in inflation. Still, safe-haven demand stemming from rising coronavirus infections in countries from India to Japan and a softer dollar capped bullion's losses. As a result, the precious metal booked its first monthly gain in four.

Oil prices fell more than 2% on Friday, with WTI crude settling around $63.50 a barrel on concerns that a deepening coronavirus crisis in India may dent oil demand. On the supply side, the OPEC+ stuck to their plans for a gradual easing of oil production curbs from May to July, after the group raised its demand growth for 2021 to 6 million bpd. Also, the EIA Petroleum Status Report showed the US crude stocks rose less than expected last week. Still, WTI ended the week on a high note, and, looking for how it performed in April, the US benchmark rose more than 7% as optimism about robust demand recovery in the second half of the year outweighed concerns about the impact of soaring COVID-19 cases in India, Japan and Brazil.

Canada’s main stock index fell for the second session in a row on Friday, with the benchmark S&P/TSX Composite finishing below the 19,200 level dragged by a massive selloff in the technology and materials sectors. On the data front, preliminary results showed the Canadian economy grew by 0.9% in March from a month earlier, boosted by manufacturing, retail trade and finance. Eldorado Gold Corp and Real Matters Inc were among the biggest laggards on the TSX, down 8.3% and 5.6%, respectively. Still, the index ended the week on a high note, and, looking for how it performed in April, TSX recorded its third straight month of gains as investors continued buying on expectations of a vaccine and stimulus-driven economic recovery.

All three main US stock indexes lost significant ground on Friday, with the S&P 500 retreating from records set on the last session amid a broader market sell-off led by the energy sector. With much of the good news on the corporate earnings and economic front already priced into the market, worries about rising coronavirus cases and soaring Treasury yields once again kept sentiment subdued. Amazon.com reported Thursday a record first-quarter profit, while Twitter offered tepid revenue guidance for the second quarter. On the economic data front, the US economy advanced at an annual rate of 6.4% in the first quarter of 2021, reflecting the continued economic recovery, with recent data, including upbeat personal income and spending figures and a better-than-expected jobless claims report, pointing that way. Despite Friday’s weakness in equities, the S&P 500 rose nearly 5.3% in April, while the Dow added about 3% and the Nasdaq gained 5.4%.

Personal income in the US jumped 21.1 percent month-over-month in March of 2021, rebounding from a revised 7 percent drop in February and above market expectations of a 20.3 percent gain. It is the biggest rise on record reflecting an increase in government social benefits as most of the Americans received stimulus checks under The American Rescue Plan Act.

The retail price index in the Philippines increased by 1.8 percent year-on-year in March 2021, after a 1.4 percent gain in the previous month. This was the highest reading since April 2019, with cost rising for all categories: food (2.3 percent vs 2.3 percent in February), beverages and tobacco (6.5 percent vs 6.5 percent), crude materials (2 percent vs 2.1 percent), mineral fuels, lubricants, and related materials (9 percent vs -0.7 percent, chemicals (0.8 percent vs flat reading), manufactured goods (0.9 percent vs 0.9 percent), machinery and transport equipment (0.3 percent vs flat reading), and miscellaneous manufactures articles (0.2 percent vs 0.3 percent).