U.S: November consumer prices rise 0.1% MoM, core rate up 0.1% MoM, indicating higher prices for commodities such as fuel aren't filtering through into other goods and services. (Source: Bloomberg)
U.S: New York region manufacturing growth beats forecasts in December. The Federal Reserve Bank of New York's general economic index climbed to 10.6 from minus 11.1 in November. Readings greater than zero signal expansion in the so-called Empire State Index, which covers New York, northern New Jersey and southern Connecticut. (Source: Bloomberg)
U.S: Global demand for assets slowed in October, Treasury says. Global demand for U.S. stocks, bonds and other financial assets slowed from a month earlier as net buying of long-term equities, notes and bonds totaled USD 27.6b during the month compared with net buying of USD 77.2b in September. Including short-term securities such as stock swaps, foreigners purchased a net USD 7.5b compared with net buying of USD 80.1b the previous month. (Source: Bloomberg)
China: Foreign direct investment in China rose the most in five months in November, indicating investors' confidence in the world's fastest-growing major economy. Investment rose 38.2% YoY to USD9.7b after a 7.9% YoY gain in October, the Ministry of Commerce said in a statement in Beijing. (Source: Bloomberg)
Japan: Tankan deteriorates in 4Q10 for first time since crisis. Confidence among Japan's largest manufacturers worsened for the first time since the end of the financial crisis last year after a stronger yen eroded export gains and the effect of government stimulus measures faded. The quarterly Tankan index of sentiment at large manufacturers dropped to 5 in December from 8 in September, the Bank of Japan said in Tokyo. A positive number means optimists outnumber pessimists. (Source: Bloomberg)
S. Korea: Unemployment rate unexpectedly fell to a six-month low in November as the nation's economic expansion encouraged manufacturers to hire more workers. The jobless rate fell to 3.2% in November from 3.6% in October, Statistics Korea said in Gwacheon. (Source: Bloomberg)
Vietnam: Rating cut by Moody's, citing payments risk. Vietnam's sovereign credit rating was lowered by Moody's Investors Service, which cited the risk of a balance of payments crisis and a drop in foreign reserves as inflation accelerates and the nation's currency weakens. Moody's cut Vietnam's long-term foreign-currency rating to B1 from Ba3, with a negative outlook, the company said in a statement. The new rating, four steps below investment grade, leaves Vietnam on par with Sri Lanka and Mongolia, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Moody's also highlighted "debt distress" at state-owned Vietnam shipbuilding Industry Group, known as Vinashin. (Source: Bloomberg)
Australia: Consumer confidence rose in December from a five-month low as attitudes on spending improved heading into the holiday season. The sentiment index increased 0.2% to 111.0 this month, according to a Westpac Banking Corp. and Melbourne Institute survey of 1,200 consumers released in Sydney. (Source: Bloomberg)
Spain: Rating on review by Moody’s before bond sale
Spain’s credit rating may be cut from Aa1, Moody’s Investors Service said, as the government prepares its final bond sale of the year tomorrow amid concern it may follow Greece and Ireland in seeking a bailout. Spain has to raise EUR170bn (USD226bn) next year, while refinancing needs for its regions total EUR30bn and for banks around EUR90bn, Moody’s estimates. (Bloomberg)
EU: Payrolls held steady in third quarter as economy slowed
European employment remained steady in the third quarter as the euro region’s recovery faltered. Payrolls in the 16-nation Euro region rose 0.1% in the previous three months, the European Union statistics office in Luxembourg said. From a year earlier, payrolls declined 0.2% after dropping 0.6% in the second quarter. (Bloomberg)
UK: Jobless-benefit claims fall less than forecast
UK jobless claims fell less than economists forecast in November, suggesting the recovery in the labor market may be moderating. The number of people receiving unemployment benefits declined 1,200 from October to 1.46m, the Office for National Statistics said in London. The median of 25 forecasts in a survey was for a drop of 3,000. (Bloomberg)
US: Production rises, inflation slows
Industrial production in the US increased more than forecast in November and consumer prices slowed, indicating the recovery is gaining momentum without generating inflation. Output at factories, mines and utilities rose 0.4%, the biggest gain since July, after a revised 0.2% drop in October, a Federal Reserve report showed. The consumer-price index climbed 0.1% in November after a 0.2% gain the prior month, the Labor Department said. (Bloomberg)
US: Homebuilder confidence index held at 16
Confidence among US homebuilders was unchanged in December from a month earlier, indicating residential construction will stay near depressed levels. The National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo index of builder confidence held at 16, data from the Washington-based group showed. Readings below 50 mean more respondents said conditions were poor. (Bloomberg)
U.S: Retail sales climb in November . The 0.8% MoM gain in purchases followed a 1.7% MoM jump in October that was larger than previously estimated. (Source: Bloomberg)
U.S: Confidence at small companies' increases to three-year high in November . The National Federation of Independent Business's optimism index increased to 93.2, the highest since December 2007, from an October reading of 91.7. Seven of the index's 10 components rose and three declined. The measure averaged 100.7 during the previous expansion. (Source: Bloomberg)
U.S: Inventories at companies increase 0.7% MoM; Sales up 1.4% MoM in October . The September increase in stockpiles was revised up to 1.3% MoM from a previously reported 0.9% MoM advance. (Source: Bloomberg)
U.K: Housing-market gauge stayed close to the lowest in 18 months in November as demand for homes waned, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors said. The number of real-estate agents and surveyors saying prices fell exceeded those reporting gains by 44 percentage points, compared with minus 49 points in October, the London-based group said in an emailed report. (Source: Bloomberg)
Belgium: Has outlook on debt cut to 'negative' at S&P because the country's political stalemate makes it vulnerable to rising borrowing costs. S&P may cut Belgium's AA+ sovereign credit rating by one step within the next six months should the seven parties involved in coalition talks fail to form a government "soon," the credit agency said. It may also cut the rating within two years should the next government fail to stabilize public debt and improve political cohesion. (Source: Bloomberg)
Japan: Prime Minister Naoto Kan ordered a 5ppts cut in the nation's corporate tax rate starting in the next fiscal year to boost an economy that is showing signs of contraction. "I've instructed ministers to lower the corporate tax by 5% to lift up the economy and beat deflation," Kan told reporters in Tokyo. (Source: Bloomberg)
No comments:
Post a Comment