The key points from today’s economic news, brought to you by Guardian Stockbrokers.
UK house price balance climbed in December
The house price balance advanced to 50.00 in the UK, in December, compared to a reading of 49.00 in the previous month. Markets were expecting house price balance to rise to a level of 50.00.
UK average earnings including bonus rose less than expected in the September-November 2015 period
In the September-November 2015 period, on a YoY basis, the average earnings including bonus advanced 2.00% in the UK, lower than market expectations for a rise of 2.10%. In the August-October 2015 period, the average earnings including bonus had advanced 2.40%.
UK claimant count rate remained unchanged in December
In December, the claimant count rate remained unchanged at a level of 2.30% in the UK. Markets were anticipating the claimant count rate to remain unchanged.
Number of unemployment benefits claimants in the UK unexpectedly dropped in December
The number of unemployment benefits claimants eased unexpectedly by 4.30 K in the UK, in December, less than market expectations of an advance of 2.80 K. Number of unemployment benefits claimants had recorded a revised loss of 2.20 K in the previous month.
UK ILO unemployment rate eased unexpectedly in the September-November 2015 period
The ILO unemployment rate dropped unexpectedly to a level of 5.10% in the September-November 2015 period, in the UK, compared to market expectations of an unchanged reading. In the August-October 2015 period, the ILO unemployment rate had registered a level of 5.20%.
Employment in the UK recorded a rise in the September-November 2015 period
The employment rose by 267.00 K in the UK, in the September-November 2015 period, more than market expectations of an advance of 235.00 K. Employment had registered a gain of 207.00 K in the August-October 2015 period.
UK average earnings excluding bonus advanced more than expected in the September-November 2015 period
On a YoY basis in the September-November 2015 period, the average earnings excluding bonus rose 1.90% in the UK, compared to a rise of 2.00% in the August-October 2015 period. Market anticipation was for the average earnings excluding bonus to advance 1.80%.
German PPI dropped more than expected in December
The producer price index (PPI) registered a drop of 2.30% in Germany, on an annual basis in December, more than market expectations for a fall of 2.20%. In the previous month, the PPI had dropped 2.50%.
German PPI fell more than expected in December
The PPI in Germany recorded a drop of 0.50% in December on a monthly basis, compared to a fall of 0.20% in the previous month. Market expectation was for the PPI to fall 0.40%.
Swiss economic expectations index declined in January
The economic expectations index dropped to -3.00 in January, in Switzerland, compared to a reading of 16.60 in the previous month.
US core CPI recorded a rise in December
In the US, the seasonally adjusted core consumer price index (CPI) rose to a level of 244.44 in December, lower than market expectations of a rise to a level of 244.49. In the previous month, the core CPI had registered a level of 244.14.
US housing starts unexpectedly declined in December
Compared to a revised level of 1179.00 K in the prior month, housing starts recorded an unexpected drop of 2.50%, on MoM basis, to an annual rate of 1149.00 K in the US, in December. Market expectation was for housing starts to advance to a level of 1200.00 K.
US Redbook index advanced in the last week
The Redbook index in the US advanced 1.40% in the week ended 15 January 2016 on a YoY basis. In the prior week, the Redbook index had climbed 1.70%.
US CPI surprisingly eased in December
The CPI in the US recorded an unexpected drop of 0.10% on a monthly basis in December, compared to an unchanged reading in the prior month. Markets were expecting the CPI to remain unchanged.
US CPI rose less than expected in December
In the US, the CPI recorded a rise of 0.70% on an annual basis in December, lower than market expectations for a rise of 0.80%. The CPI had risen 0.50% in the prior month.
US CPI (ex-food & energy) advanced as expected in December
On a YoY basis, the CPI (ex-food & energy) climbed 2.10% in December, in the US, meeting market expectations. The CPI (ex-food & energy) had registered a rise of 2.00% in the previous month.
US CPI slid in December
In December, the non-seasonally adjusted CPI in the US eased to 236.53, lower than market expectations of a drop to a level of 236.66. In the previous month, the CPI had registered a reading of 237.34.
US Redbook index recorded a drop in the last week
The seasonally adjusted Redbook index eased 1.20% in the US on a MoM basis, in the week ended 15 January 2016. In the previous week, the Redbook index had registered a drop of 1.00%.
US CPI (ex-food & energy) rose less than expected in December
In December, the CPI (ex-food & energy) rose 0.10% in the US on a monthly basis, less than market expectations for a rise of 0.20%. In the previous month, the CPI (ex-food & energy) had risen 0.20%.
US building permits declined in December
Building permits dropped 3.90%, on monthly basis, to an annual rate of 1232.00 K in the US, in December, higher than market expectations of 1200.00 K. In the prior month, building permits had registered a revised level of 1282.00 K.
US mortgage applications advanced in the last week
Mortgage applications recorded a rise of 9.00% on a weekly basis, in the week ended 15 January 2016, in the US. Mortgage applications had risen 21.30% in the prior week.
BoC held interest rate at 0.50%
The Bank of Canada (BoC) maintained its target for the overnight rate at 0.50%, while it scaled back its near-term growth outlook for an economy which has been hurt by falling commodity prices. In its latest monetary policy report, the central bank projected that Canada’s economy will grow by about 1.50% in 2016 and 2.50% in 2017. The BoC justified its decision to hold the already-low interest rate because its key measure – inflation that influences the decision has been evolving broadly as expected and within its ideal target range.
Canadian manufacturing shipments rose more than expected in November
On a monthly basis, in November, manufacturing shipments recorded a rise of 1.00% in Canada, compared to a revised fall of 1.30% in the prior month. Market expectation was for manufacturing shipments to climb 0.50%.
Canadian wholesale sales advanced more than expected in November
Wholesale sales advanced 1.80% on a MoM basis in Canada, in November, compared to a revised fall of 0.50% in the prior month. Market expectation was for wholesale sales to rise 0.40%.
Foreign investors turned net sellers of Japanese bonds in the previous week
Foreign investors turned net sellers of ¥31.70 billion worth of Japanese bonds in the week ended 15 January 2016, as compared to being net buyers of ¥218.50 billion worth of Japanese bonds in the previous week.
Foreign investors became net sellers of Japanese stocks in the previous week
Foreign investors were net sellers of ¥358.30 billion worth of Japanese stocks in the week ended 15 January 2016, as compared to being net sellers of a revised ¥746.40 billion worth of Japanese stocks in the prior week.
Japanese convenience store sales registered a rise in December
Convenience store sales advanced 1.40% on an annual basis, in December, in Japan. In the previous month, convenience store sales had advanced 0.90%.
Japanese investors remained net buyers of foreign stocks in the previous week
Japanese investors remained net buyers of ¥215.30 billion worth of foreign stocks in the week ended 15 January 2016, from being net buyers of ¥198.90 billion worth of foreign stocks in the previous week.
Japanese investors turned net sellers of foreign bonds in the previous week
Japanese investors turned net sellers of ¥375.20 billion worth of foreign bonds in the week ended 15 January 2016, from being net buyers of a revised ¥323.50 billion worth of foreign bonds in the prior week.
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