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The key points from today’s economic news, brought to you by Guardian Stockbrokers.
UK trade deficit fell in December
Non-EU trade deficit in the UK fell to £2.36 billion in December, from a revised trade deficit of £3.54 billion in the prior month. Markets were expecting the nation’s trade deficit to fall to £2.50 billion.
UK total trade deficit declined in December
In December, total trade deficit in the UK fell to £2.71 billion, from a revised total trade deficit of £4.03 billion in the previous month. Market expectation was for the country’s total trade deficit to drop to £3.00 billion.
UK visible trade deficit fell in December
Visible trade deficit in the UK narrowed to £9.92 billion in December, following a revised visible trade deficit of £11.50 billion in the prior month. Markets were anticipating the nation’s visible trade deficit to drop to £10.40 billion.
German trade surplus narrowed in December
Germany has registered the seasonally adjusted trade surplus of €18.80 billion in December, from a revised trade surplus of €20.50 billion in the previous month. Market anticipation was for a trade surplus of €20.00 billion.
German exports recorded an unexpected drop in December
On a MoM basis, the seasonally adjusted exports registered an unexpected drop of 1.60% in December, in Germany, compared to a revised rise of 0.50% in the previous month. Markets were anticipating exports to climb 0.50%.
German imports declined more than expected in December
The seasonally adjusted imports dropped 1.60% on a MoM basis in Germany, in December, compared to a revised advance of 1.30% in the previous month. Markets were expecting imports to ease 0.50%.
German current account surplus widened in December
The non-seasonally adjusted current account surplus in Germany rose to €25.60 billion in December, compared to a revised current account surplus of €24.30 billion in the prior month. Markets were expecting the country’s current account surplus to expand to €26.70 billion.
German industrial production surprisingly eased in December
The seasonally adjusted industrial production unexpectedly eased 1.20% on a MoM basis in Germany, in December, compared to a revised drop of 0.10% in the prior month. Market anticipation was for industrial production to rise 0.50%.
German industrial production declined more than expected in December
On a YoY basis, the non-seasonally & working day adjusted industrial production in Germany eased 2.20% in December, higher than market expectations for a fall of 0.60%. In the previous month, industrial production had recorded a rise of 0.10%.
French budget deficit narrowed in December
Budget deficit in France narrowed to €70.50 billion in December. France had posted a budget deficit of €82.80 billion in the previous month.
Swiss unemployment rate remained unchanged in January
The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Switzerland remained unchanged at a level of 3.40% in January. Markets were anticipating unemployment rate to climb to a level of 3.50%.
Swiss unemployment rate rose in January
In January, the non-seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Switzerland advanced to 3.80%, in line with market expectations. Unemployment rate had registered a reading of 3.70% in the previous month.
US Redbook index registered a drop in the last week
The seasonally adjusted Redbook index in the US slid 2.60% on a monthly basis, in the week ended 05 February 2016. The Redbook index had registered a drop of 1.50% in the prior week.
US JOLTs job openings advanced in December
JOLTs job openings advanced to 5607.00 K in December, in the US, higher than market expectations of an advance to a level of 5413.00 K. In the prior month, JOLTs job openings had recorded a revised level of 5346.00 K.
US wholesale inventories fell less than expected in December
In December, on a MoM basis, the seasonally adjusted wholesale inventories fell 0.10% in the US, less than market expectations for a drop of 0.20%. The wholesale inventories had recorded a revised drop of 0.40% in the prior month.
US small business optimism index declined in January
In January, the small business optimism index eased to 93.90 in the US, compared to market expectations of a drop to 94.50. In the previous month, the small business optimism index had recorded a reading of 95.20.
US Redbook index advanced in the last week
On an annual basis, the Redbook index rose 0.60% in the week ended 05 February 2016, in the US. In the prior week, the Redbook index had recorded a rise of 0.80%.
Japanese housing loans advanced in 4Q 2015
In Japan, housing loans rose 2.20% on an annual basis, in 4Q 2015. Housing loans had recorded a rise of 2.40% in the prior quarter.
Japanese domestic corporate goods price index fell more than expected in January
In January, on a YoY basis, the domestic corporate goods price index dropped 3.10% in Japan, higher than market expectations for a drop of 2.80%. In the prior month, the domestic corporate goods price index had recorded a revised drop of 3.50%.
Japanese domestic corporate goods price index decline more than forecast last month
In January, the domestic corporate goods price index dropped 0.90% in Japan on a MoM basis, compared to a revised fall of 0.40% in the previous month. Markets were anticipating the domestic corporate goods price index to ease 0.70%.
Japanese machine tool orders registered a drop in January
On a YoY basis, the preliminary machine tool orders in Japan registered a drop of 17.20% in January. In the prior month, machine tool orders had dropped 25.70%.
Japanese average office vacancies in Tokyo recorded a rise in January
On a monthly basis, average office vacancies in Tokyo advanced 4.01% in Japan. In the prior month, average office vacancies in Tokyo had recorded a rise of 4.03%.
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