Hot Features
Premium
Register for Free to get streaming real-time quotes, interactive charts, live options flow, and more.
The key points from today’s economic news, brought to you by Guardian Stockbrokers.
UK ILO unemployment rate unexpectedly eased in the April-June 2017 period
In the April-June 2017 period, the ILO unemployment rate in the UK dropped unexpectedly to a level of 4.40%, compared to a level of 4.50% in the March-May 2017 period. Markets were anticipating the ILO unemployment rate to record a flat reading.
Number of unemployment benefits claimants in the UK eased in July
Number of unemployment benefits claimants in the UK registered a drop of 4.20 K in July, following an revised increase of 3.50 K in the previous month.
UK claimant count rate remained flat in July
In July, the claimant count rate in the UK remained steady at 2.30%.
UK average earnings excluding bonus rose more than expected in the April-June 2017 period
On a YoY basis, the average earnings excluding bonus advanced 2.10% in the UK, in the April-June 2017 period, more than market expectations for an advance of 2.00%. In the March-May 2017 period, the average earnings excluding bonus had risen 2.00%.
UK average earnings including bonus advanced more than expected in the April-June 2017 period
In the April-June 2017 period, on a YoY basis, the average earnings including bonus in the UK rose 2.10%, compared to a revised rise of 1.90% in the March-May 2017 period. Market expectation was for the average earnings including bonus to rise 1.80%.
Employment in the UK increased in the April-June 2017 period
Employment climbed by 125.00 K in the UK, in the April-June 2017 period, compared to an increase of 175.00 K in the March-May 2017 period. Markets were anticipating employment to advance 97.00 K.
Euro-zone GDP rose more than expected in 2Q 2017
In 2Q 2017, the seasonally adjusted second estimate of gross domestic product (GDP) rose 2.20% on a YoY basis in the Euro-zone, more than market expectations for an advance of 2.10%. GDP had registered a rise of 1.90% in the previous quarter. The preliminary figures had recorded a rise of 2.10%.
Euro-zone GDP advanced as expected in 2Q 2017
In 2Q 2017, the seasonally adjusted second estimate of GDP in the Euro-zone advanced 0.60% on a QoQ basis, in line with market expectations. GDP had registered a revised rise of 0.50% in the previous quarter. The preliminary figures had also recorded an advance of 0.60%.
Italian GDP rose as expected in 2Q 2017
In 2Q 2017, the preliminary GDP rose 0.40% on a quarterly basis in Italy, at par with market expectations. The GDP had registered a similar rise in the previous quarter.
Fed officials split over inflation worries
The Federal Open Market Committee’s (FOMC) July meeting minutes showed a divided Fed, as one group of Federal Reserve (Fed) policymakers felt inflation is still low and argued for caution in raising interest rates. Others expressed concerns that delaying further rate hikes could push inflation higher into dangerous territory. Meanwhile, members agreed that the process of reducing the balance sheet should begin “relatively soon,” with some members arguing for a more concrete date to be set.
US building permits eased in July
Building permits dropped 4.10%, on MoM basis, to an annual rate of 1223.00 K in the US, in July, compared to market expectations of 1250.00 K. Building permits had registered a revised level of 1275.00 K in the previous month.
US mortgage applications rose in the last week
On a weekly basis, mortgage applications climbed 0.10% in the US, in the week ended 11 August 2017. In the previous week, mortgage applications had advanced 3.00%.
US housing starts unexpectedly dropped in July
Housing starts unexpectedly dropped by 4.80%, on monthly basis, to an annual rate of 1155.00 K in July, in the US, compared to market expectations of 1220.00 K. Housing starts had registered a revised level of 1213.00 K in the prior month.
Canadian investors remained net buyers of foreign securities in the previous month
Canadian investors remained net buyers of C$13.22 billion worth of foreign securities in June, from being net buyers of a revised C$4.30 billion worth of foreign securities in the previous month.
Foreign investors turned net sellers of Canadian securities in the previous month
Foreign investors turned net sellers of C$0.92 billion worth of Canadian securities in June, as compared to being net buyers of a revised C$29.44 billion worth of Canadian securities in the prior month.
Japanese exports rose more than expected in July
In July, on an annual basis, exports in Japan rose 13.40%, compared to a rise of 9.70% in the previous month. Market expectation was for exports to climb 13.20%.
Japanese merchandise (total) trade surplus dropped in July
Merchandise (total) trade surplus in Japan fell to ¥418.80 billion in July, from a merchandise (total) trade surplus of ¥439.90 billion in the previous month. Market anticipation was for the nation to record a merchandise (total) trade surplus of ¥327.10 billion.
Japanese adjusted merchandise trade surplus widened in July
Adjusted merchandise trade surplus in Japan widened to ¥337.40 billion in July, more than market expectations of a adjusted merchandise trade surplus of ¥195.30 billion. Japan had registered an adjusted merchandise trade surplus of ¥81.40 billion in the previous month.
Foreign investors became net sellers of Japanese stocks in the previous week
Foreign investors remained net sellers of ¥302.50 billion worth of Japanese stocks in the week ended 11 August 2017, from being net sellers of ¥37.70 billion worth of Japanese stocks in the previous week.
Foreign investors became net buyers of Japanese bonds in the previous week
Foreign investors remained net buyers of ¥214.20 billion worth of Japanese bonds in the week ended 11 August 2017, from being net buyers of a revised ¥598.10 billion worth of Japanese bonds in the previous week.
Japanese investors became net buyers of foreign stocks in the previous week
Japanese investors were net buyers of ¥148.80 billion worth of foreign stocks in the week ended 11 August 2017, as compared to being net buyers of a revised ¥160.90 billion worth of foreign stocks in the prior week.
Japanese imports advanced less than expected in July
On a YoY basis, imports rose 16.30% in July, in Japan, compared to an advance of 15.50% in the prior month. Market anticipation was for imports to advance 17.10%.
Japanese investors turned net sellers of foreign bonds in the previous week
Japanese investors turned net sellers of ¥145.50 billion worth of foreign bonds in the week ended 11 August 2017, from being net buyers of a revised ¥1628.00 billion worth of foreign bonds in the previous week.
Click here to sign up for the in depth Guardian Stockbrokers Market Daily report.
