The key points from today’s economic news, brought to you by Guardian Stockbrokers.
ECB kept its key interest rate steady
The ECB, at its December monetary policy meeting, maintained its key interest rate at 0.00%, at par with market expectations. Furthermore, the central bank formally announced the end of its multi-trillion bond-buying programme by December 2018. However, the ECB President, Mario Draghi, hinted that growing uncertainty in the region had forced the central bank to trim its economic growth outlook and warned that the consequences would continue till 2020.
German CPI rose as expected in November
The final consumer price index (CPI) in Germany rose 0.10% on a MoM basis, in November, at par with market expectations. In the prior month, the CPI had climbed 0.20%.
US initial jobless claims dropped in the last week
The seasonally adjusted initial jobless claims in the US registered a drop to a level of 206.00 K in the week ended 08 December 2018, compared to market expectations of a fall to a reading of 226.00 K. Initial jobless claims had registered a revised level of 233.00 K in the previous week.
Japanese manufacturing PMI climbed in December
In December, the flash manufacturing PMI in Japan registered a rise to 52.40. Manufacturing PMI had recorded a reading of 52.20 in the previous month.
Chinese retail sales rose less than expected in November
Retail sales in China registered a rise of 8.10% on an annual basis, in November, less than market expectations for an advance of 8.80%. In the prior month, retail sales had advanced 8.60%.
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