Hot Features
Premium
Trade smarter, not harder: Unleash your inner pro with our toolkit and live discussions.
The key points from today’s economic news, brought to you by Guardian Stockbrokers.
UK Halifax house price index rose more than expected in the December-February 2018 period
In the December-February 2018 period, the Halifax house price index rose 1.80% in the UK, on a YoY basis, higher than market expectations for a rise of 1.60%. The Halifax house price index had recorded a rise of 2.20% in the November-January 2018 period.
UK house price balance surprise dropped in February
In February, house price balance fell unexpectedly to a level of 0.00% in the UK, compared to market expectations of an unchanged reading. In the prior month, house price balance had recorded a revised reading of 7.00%.
UK Halifax house price index rose as expected in February
On a monthly basis, in February, the Halifax house price index rose 0.40% in the UK, in line with market expectations. The Halifax house price index had fallen by a revised 0.50% in the prior month.
Euro-zone household consumption expenditure rose less than expected in 4Q 2017
Household consumption expenditure registered a rise of 0.20% in the Euro-zone on a quarterly basis in 4Q 2017, lower than market expectations for a rise of 0.30%. In the prior quarter, household consumption expenditure had recorded a rise of 0.30%.
Euro-zone GDP rose as expected in 4Q 2017
The seasonally adjusted final gross domestic product (GDP) registered a rise of 0.60% on a QoQ basis in 4Q 2017, in the Euro-zone, in line with market expectations. The preliminary figures had also recorded a rise of 0.60%. In the previous quarter, GDP had advanced by a revised 0.70%.
Euro-zone gross fixed capital formation rose less than expected in 4Q 2017
On a quarterly basis, in the Euro-zone, the gross fixed capital formation climbed 0.90% in 4Q 2017, less than market expectations for an advance of 1.10%. In the previous quarter, the gross fixed capital formation had dropped by a revised 0.20%.
Euro-zone government expenditure rose as expected in 4Q 2017
Government expenditure advanced 0.30% on a QoQ basis in 4Q 2017, in the Euro-zone, compared to a revised rise of 0.40% in the previous quarter. Markets were anticipating government expenditure to advance 0.30%.
Euro-zone GDP advanced as expected in 4Q 2017
On an annual basis, the seasonally adjusted GDP registered a rise of 2.70% in the Euro-zone, in 4Q 2017, compared to a revised rise of 2.80% in the previous quarter. The preliminary figures had also recorded a rise of 2.70%. Market anticipation was for GDP to climb 2.70%.
French current account deficit widened in January
In January, current account deficit in France rose to €1.60 billion. France had posted a revised current account deficit of €0.80 billion in the prior month.
French trade deficit expanded in January
In January, trade deficit in France expanded to €5.56 billion, compared to a revised trade deficit of € 3.40 billion in the prior month. Markets were expecting the nation to record a trade deficit of €4.45 billion.
Swiss foreign currency reserves advanced in February
Foreign currency reserves in Switzerland climbed to CHF 732.80 billion in February, compared to a reading of CHF 731.40 billion in the prior month. Markets were anticipating foreign currency reserves to climb to CHF 735.00 billion.
US consumer credit rose more than expected in January
Consumer credit in the US recorded a rise of $13.91 billion in January, compared to a revised advance of $19.21 billion in the prior month. Markets were anticipating consumer credit to climb $17.65 billion.
US unit labour costs in non-farm businesses advanced more than expected in 4Q 2017
In 4Q 2017, the final unit labour costs in non-farm businesses in the US rose 2.50% on a QoQ basis, higher than market expectations for a rise of 2.10%. The unit labour costs in non-farm businesses had recorded a revised drop of 0.10% in the previous quarter. The preliminary figures had indicated an advance of 2.00%.
Fed’s Beige Book: Tight labour market boosting wage and price growth
The Federal Reserve’s (Fed) Beige Book report indicated that economic growth across the US remained at a “modest to moderate” pace in January and February. Additionally, it showed that businesses across the 12 districts experienced persistent labour market tightness that contributed to “moderate inflation”, while many regions noted a pick-up in wage growth since the beginning of the year.
Private sector employment in the US rose in February
In the US, the private sector employment climbed by 235.00 K in February, compared to market expectations of an advance of 200.00 K. The private sector employment had registered a revised increase of 244.00 K in the prior month.
US mortgage applications climbed in the last week
Mortgage applications recorded a rise of 0.30% in the US on a weekly basis, in the week ended 02 March 2018. In the previous week, mortgage applications had climbed 2.70%.
US trade deficit rose in January
The US has posted trade deficit of $56.60 billion in January, compared to a revised trade deficit of $53.90 billion in the previous month. Market anticipation was for the nation to register a trade deficit of $55.00 billion.
US non-farm business productivity remained steady in 4Q 2017
On a quarterly basis, in the US, the final non-farm business productivity remained steady in 4Q 2017, compared to a revised advance of 2.70% in the previous quarter. Market anticipation was for the non-farm business productivity to drop 0.10%. The preliminary figures had recorded a fall of 0.10%.
Canadian international merchandise trade deficit dropped in January
International merchandise trade deficit in Canada dropped to C$1.91 billion in January, compared to a revised international merchandise trade deficit of C$3.05 billion in the previous month. Markets were expecting the nation to record a international merchandise trade deficit of C$2.50 billion.
Canadian labour productivity advanced more than expected in 4Q 2017
On a quarterly basis, in Canada, labour productivity recorded a rise of 0.20% in 4Q 2017, compared to a revised fall of 0.50% in the previous quarter. Markets were anticipating labour productivity to advance 0.10%.
BoC stands pat on interest rate, underlines growing trade uncertainty
The Bank of Canada (BoC), in a widely expected move, maintained the benchmark lending rate unchanged at 1.25%. In its post-meeting statement, the central bank noted that recent trade policy developments have clouded Canada’s as well as global economic outlook. Nevertheless, the central bank described the current global growth momentum as positive and added that Canadian inflation was running close to its target, while wage growth has improved.
Japanese bank lending including trusts climbed in February
Bank lending including trusts rose 2.10% in Japan on a YoY basis, in February. In the previous month, bank lending including trusts had risen by a revised 2.30%.
Japanese GDP advanced more than expected in 4Q 2017
On a quarterly basis, the final gross domestic product (GDP) in Japan, recorded a rise of 0.40% in 4Q 2017, higher than market expectations for a rise of 0.20%. The preliminary figures had recorded a rise of 0.10%. In the prior quarter, GDP had registered a rise of 0.60%.
Japanese investors remained net buyers of foreign stocks in the previous week
Japanese investors remained net buyers of ¥201.50 billion worth of foreign stocks in the week ended 02 March 2018, as compared to being net buyers of a revised ¥44.50 billion worth of foreign stocks in the prior week.
Japanese investors turned net sellers of foreign bonds in the previous week
Japanese investors turned net sellers of ¥1188.50 billion worth of foreign bonds in the week ended 02 March 2018, as compared to being net buyers of a revised ¥205.40 billion worth of foreign bonds in the previous week.
Japanese adjusted (total) current account surplus widened in January
Japan has registered adjusted (total) current account surplus of ¥2022.60 billion in January, from a revised adjusted (total) current account surplus of ¥1677.60 billion in the prior month. Market expectation was for the nation to register an adjusted (total) current account surplus of ¥1761.90 billion.
Japanese current account surplus fell in January
Japan has posted the non-seasonally adjusted current account surplus of ¥607.40 billion in January, compared to a current account surplus of ¥797.20 billion in the previous month. Market anticipation was for the nation to register a current account surplus of ¥437.40 billion.
Foreign investors turned net buyers of Japanese bonds in the previous week
Foreign investors turned net buyers of ¥1264.80 billion worth of Japanese bonds in the week ended 02 March 2018, as compared to being net sellers of a revised ¥25.00 billion worth of Japanese bonds in the prior week.
Japanese coincident index dropped in January
The preliminary coincident index dropped to 114.00 in Japan, in January, compared to a level of 120.20 in the previous month. Market anticipation was for the coincident index to ease to 115.30.
Japanese nominal GDP rose more than expected in 4Q 2017
In 4Q 2017, the final nominal gross domestic product (GDP) registered a rise of 0.30% on a QoQ basis in Japan, compared to a revised advance of 0.60% in the prior quarter. The preliminary figures had recorded a flat reading. Markets were expecting nominal GDP to advance 0.10%.
Japanese GDP deflator surprisingly climbed in 4Q 2017
In Japan, the final gross domestic product deflator unexpectedly climbed 0.10% on a YoY basis in 4Q 2017, compared to a revised rise of 0.20% in the previous quarter. The preliminary figures had indicated an unchanged reading. Market anticipation was for the GDP deflator to record an unchanged reading.
Japanese bank lending ex-trust advanced in February
On an annual basis, bank lending ex-trust climbed 2.10% in Japan, in February. In the previous month, bank lending ex-trust had recorded a rise of 2.30%.
Japanese average office vacancies in Tokyo rose in February
Average office vacancies in Tokyo in Japan recorded a rise of 3.03% in February on a MoM basis. In the previous month, average office vacancies in Tokyo had registered a rise of 3.07.
Japanese leading economic index fell in January
In January, the preliminary leading economic index in Japan registered a drop to 104.80, lower than market expectations of a drop to a level of 106.50. In the previous month, the leading economic index had registered a level of 107.40.
Foreign investors remained net sellers of Japanese stocks in the previous week
Foreign investors remained net sellers of ¥463.40 billion worth of Japanese stocks in the week ended 02 March 2018, as compared to being net sellers of a revised ¥53.70 billion worth of Japanese stocks in the previous week.
Japanese annualised GDP rose more than expected in 4Q 2017
In 4Q 2017, on a quarterly basis, the final annualised GDP climbed 1.60% in Japan, more than market expectations for an advance of 1.00%. Annualised GDP had risen by a revised 2.20% in the prior quarter. The preliminary figures had recorded an advance of 0.50%.
Japan recorded (BOP basis) trade deficit in January
BOP basis trade deficit in Japan recorded a reading of ¥666.60 billion in January, from a (BOP basis) trade surplus of ¥538.90 billion in the prior month. Markets were anticipating the nation to post a (BOP basis) trade deficit of ¥695.50 billion.
Click here to sign up for the in depth Guardian Stockbrokers Market Daily report.
