The key points from today’s economic news, brought to you by Guardian Stockbrokers.
UK official reserves remained unchanged in January
Official reserves registered a rise of $527.00 million in January in the UK. Official reserves had registered a revised similar rise in the previous month.
UK services PMI unexpectedly rose in January
The services PMI registered an unexpected rise to 55.60 in January in the UK, compared to market expectations of an advance to a level of 55.40. In the previous month, the services PMI had recorded a revised level of 55.50.
Euro-zone retail sales rose in December
On a monthly basis, the seasonally adjusted retail sales registered an unexpected rise of 0.30% in the Euro-zone in December, in line with market expectations of 0.30%. In the prior month, retail sales had registered a decline of 0.30%.
Euro-zone services PMI remained flat in January
In January, the final services PMI remained flat at a level of 53.60 in the Euro-zone. Markets were anticipating services PMI to advance to a level of 53.60. The preliminary figures had indicated an advance to 53.60.
Euro-zone composite PMI unexpectedly advanced in January
The final composite PMI in the Euro-zone unexpectedly advanced to a level of 53.60 in January, compared to a revised level of 53.50 in the previous month. The preliminary figures had indicated a rise to 53.50. Market anticipation was for composite PMI to climb to a level of 53.50.
German services PMI unexpectedly dropped in January
In January, the final services PMI unexpectedly fell to a level of 55.00 in Germany, lower than market expectations of 55.40. The preliminary figures had recorded a rise to 55.40. In the prior month, services PMI had recorded a revised reading of 55.40.
US ADP employment change rose in January
In the US, the private sector employment advanced by 205.00 K in January, higher than market expectations of an advance of 193.00 K. The private sector employment had registered a revised gain of 267.00 K in the prior month.
US ISM non-manufacturing PMI fell more than expected in January
The non-manufacturing PMI fell to a level of 53.50 in January in the US, compared to market expectations of a fall to a level of 55.10. The non-manufacturing PMI had recorded a revised level of 55.80 in the previous month.
US Markit services PMI declined unexpectedly in January
The final Markit services PMI in the US registered a drop to 53.20 in January, compared to market expectations of a fall to a level of 53.70. Markit services PMI had recorded a reading of 54.30 in the previous month. The preliminary figures had indicated a drop to 53.70.
US mortgage applications fell during the last week
On a weekly basis, mortgage applications in the US registered a drop of 2.60% in the week ended 29 January 2016. In the prior week, mortgage applications had climbed 8.80%.
US Markit composite fell in January
In January, the final Markit composite PMI dropped to 53.20 in the US. In the prior month, Markit composite PMI had registered a reading of 54.00. The preliminary figures had indicated a drop to 53.70.
Japanese investors turned net sellers of foreign bonds
Japanese investors turned net sellers of ¥85.40 billion worth of foreign bonds in the week ended 29 January 2016, from being net buyers of a revised ¥477.90 billion worth of foreign bonds in the previous week.
Japanese consumer confidence fell in January
In January, the consumer confidence index in Japan registered a drop to a level of 42.50, compared to a revised reading of 42.70 in the prior month. Markets were anticipating the consumer confidence index to rise to a level of 42.50.
Foreign investors remained net sellers of Japanese stocks
Foreign investors remained net sellers of ¥364.10 billion worth of Japanese stocks in the week ended 29 January 2016, from being net sellers of a revised ¥190.40 billion worth of Japanese stocks in the previous week.
Japanese investors remained net buyers of foreign stocks
Japanese investors remained net buyers of ¥242.10 billion worth of foreign stocks in the week ended 29 January 2016, as compared to being net buyers of a revised ¥319.30 billion worth of foreign stocks in the previous week.
Foreign investors remained net buyers of Japanese bonds
Foreign investors remained net buyers of ¥449.40 billion worth of Japanese bonds in the week ended 29 January 2016, from being net buyers of a revised ¥713.40 billion worth of Japanese bonds in the previous week.
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