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The key points from today’s economic news, brought to you by Guardian Stockbrokers.
UK ILO unemployment rate eased unexpectedly in the August-October 2015 period
Compared to a level of 5.30% in the July-September 2015 period the ILO unemployment rate in the UK fell unexpectedly to 5.20% in the August-October 2015 period. Market expectation was for the ILO unemployment rate to record a steady reading.
Employment in the UK rose in the August-October 2015 period
Employment climbed by 207.00 K in the UK, in the August-October 2015 period, more than market expectations of an advance of 150.00 K. Employment had recorded an increase of 177.00 K in the July-September 2015 period.
UK average earnings excluding bonus rose less than expected in the August-October 2015 period
On a YoY basis, the average earnings excluding bonus registered a rise of 2.00% in the August-October 2015 period, in the UK, lower than market expectations for an advance of 2.30%. In the July-September 2015 period, the average earnings excluding bonus had registered a revised rise of 2.40%.
UK claimant count rate remained flat in November
In November, the claimant count rate remained steady at a level of 2.30% in the UK, at par with market expectations.
Number of unemployment benefits claimants in the UK climbed in November
The number of unemployment benefits claimants in the UK registered a rise of 3.90 K in November, following a revised gain of 0.20 K in the prior month. Markets were expecting number of unemployment benefits claimants to rise 0.80 K.
UK average earnings including bonus rose less than expected in the August-October 2015 period
The average earnings including bonus in the UK climbed 2.40% on a YoY basis in the August-October 2015 period, compared to an advance of 3.00% in the July-September 2015 period. Markets were expecting the average earnings including bonus to climb 2.50%.
Euro-zone services PMI dropped in December
Compared to a level of 54.20 in the prior month the flash services PMI registered a drop to 53.90 in December, in the Euro-zone. Markets were anticipating services PMI to drop to a level of 54.00.
Euro-zone composite PMI registered an unexpected drop in December
In December, the flash composite PMI in the Euro-zone eased unexpectedly to 54.00, lower than market expectations of an unchanged reading. Composite PMI had recorded a reading of 54.20 in the previous month.
Euro-zone trade surplus expanded in October
The non-seasonally adjusted trade surplus in the Euro-zone rose to €24.10 billion in October. The Eurozone had reported a trade surplus of €20.50 billion in the prior month.
Euro-zone trade surplus fell in October
The seasonally adjusted trade surplus in the Euro-zone narrowed to €19.90 billion in October, compared to market expectations of a trade surplus of €20.60 billion. The Euro-zone had reported a trade surplus of €20.10 billion in the prior month.
Euro-zone manufacturing PMI climbed unexpectedly in December
In December, the preliminary manufacturing PMI in the Eurozone advanced unexpectedly to a level of 53.10, higher than market expectations of an unchanged reading. In the prior month, the manufacturing PMI had recorded a reading of 52.80.
Euro-zone CPI declined less than expected in November
In the Euro-zone, the consumer price index slid 0.10% on a monthly basis in November, lower than market expectations for a fall of 0.20%. The consumer price index had risen 0.10% in the prior month.
German manufacturing PMI climbed unexpectedly in December
In Germany, the flash manufacturing PMI registered an unexpected rise to 53.00 in December, compared to a level of 52.90 in the prior month. Markets were anticipating manufacturing PMI to fall to a level of 52.80.
German services PMI registered a drop in December
The preliminary services PMI in Germany dropped to 55.40 in December, compared to a level of 55.60 in the prior month. Market expectation was for services PMI to ease to a level of 55.50.
French manufacturing PMI advanced surprisingly in December
Compared to a reading of 50.60 in the previous month the flash manufacturing PMI registered an unexpected rise to a level of 51.60 in France, in December. Markets were expecting manufacturing PMI to record a steady reading.
French services PMI registered a drop in December
The flash services PMI in France registered a drop to 50.00 in December, compared to a level of 51.00 in the previous month. Markets were anticipating services PMI to drop to a level of 50.80.
Swiss economic expectations index climbed in December
The economic expectations index in Switzerland climbed to 16.60 in December. The economic expectations index had recorded a reading of 0.00 in the prior month.
Fed increased key interest rate for the first time in a decade
The US Fed raised its short term interest rates for the first time in seven years after it had pushed its benchmark rate to the floor during the financial crisis. In its monetary policy statement, the Federal Open Market Committee suggested that since its last meeting in October, the US economy has expanded at a moderate pace on the back of improved labour market and increased household spending and business fixed investment, however exports softened. Following which the Fed Chairperson, Janet Yellen at a press conference stated that the US central bank would move gradually in raising rates in the future.
US Markit manufacturing PMI slid in December
In December, the preliminary Markit manufacturing PMI in the US recorded a drop to 51.30, lower than market expectations of a fall to 52.60. The Markit manufacturing PMI had recorded a level of 52.80 in the prior month.
US housing starts recorded a rise in November
The housing starts in the US climbed 10.50%, on monthly basis, to an annual rate of 1173.00 K in November, higher than market expectations of 1130.00 K. Housing starts had recorded a revised level of 1062.00 K in the prior month.
US capacity utilisation dropped in November
Compared to a reading of 77.50% in the prior month capacity utilisation in the US registered a drop to 77.00% in November. Markets were anticipating capacity utilisation to fall to a level of 77.40%.
US manufacturing production remained steady in November
Manufacturing production in the US remained unchanged in November on a monthly basis, compared to a revised advance of 0.30% in the previous month. Markets were anticipating manufacturing production to record a flat reading.
US mortgage applications declined in the last week
On a weekly basis, mortgage applications in the US eased 1.10% in the week ended 11 December 2015. Mortgage applications had climbed 1.20% in the previous week.
US building permits unexpectedly advanced in November
The building permits unexpectedly rose by 11.00%, on monthly basis, to an annual rate of 1289.00 K in the US, in November, compared to market expectations of 1150.00 K. In the previous month, building permits had registered a revised reading of 1161.00 K.
US industrial production dropped more than expected in November
The industrial production dropped 0.60% on a monthly basis in the US in November, more than market expectations for a fall of 0.20%. In the prior month, industrial production had dropped by a revised 0.40%.
Foreign investors became net buyers of Canadian securities in the previous month
Foreign investors were net buyers of C$22084.00 billion worth of Canadian securities in October, as compared to being net buyers of C$3345.00 billion worth of Canadian securities in the previous month.
Japanese machine tool orders recorded a drop in November
The final machine tool orders registered a drop of 17.70% in Japan on a YoY basis, in November. In the previous month, machine tool orders had recorded a drop of 22.90%. The preliminary figures had indicated a fall of 17.90%.
Japan recorded merchandise (total) trade deficit in November
Merchandise (total) trade deficit in Japan stood at ¥379.70 billion in November, following a revised merchandise (total) trade surplus of ¥108.30 billion in the prior month. Markets were expecting the country’s merchandise (total) trade surplus to expand to ¥449.70 billion.
Japanese adjusted merchandise trade deficit dropped in November
The adjusted merchandise trade deficit in Japan narrowed to ¥3.30 billion in November, from a revised adjusted merchandise trade deficit of ¥173.00 billion in the previous month. Market expectation was for the nation to register an adjusted merchandise trade surplus of ¥206.70 billion.
Japanese exports declined more than expected in November
Exports registered a drop of 3.30% in Japan on an annual basis in November, more than market expectations for a fall of 1.60%. Exports had dropped by a revised 2.20% in the previous month.
Japanese imports fell more than expected in November
In November, imports dropped 10.20% on an annual basis in Japan, higher than market expectations for a drop of 7.30%. In the prior month, imports had dropped 13.40%.
Japanese investors became net buyers of foreign stocks in the previous week
Japanese investors were net buyers of ¥21.80 billion worth of foreign stocks in the week ended 11 December 2015, as compared to being net buyers of ¥234.60 billion worth of foreign stocks in the prior week.
Foreign investors turned net sellers of Japanese stocks in the previous week
Foreign investors turned net sellers of ¥488.00 billion worth of Japanese stocks in the week ended 11 December 2015, as compared to being net buyers of ¥104.60 billion worth of Japanese stocks in the prior week.
Japanese investors remained net buyers of foreign bonds in the previous week
Japanese investors remained net buyers of ¥319.40 billion worth of foreign bonds in the week ended 11 December 2015, from being net buyers of a revised ¥81.30 billion worth of foreign bonds in the previous week.
Foreign investors became net buyers of Japanese bonds in the previous week
Foreign investors remained net buyers of ¥384.50 billion worth of Japanese bonds in the week ended 11 December 2015, from being net buyers of ¥179.60 billion worth of Japanese bonds in the previous week.
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