International Economic
German economy grows more than initially estimated in Q2
The German economy grew more than initially estimated in the second quarter as coronavirus restrictions eased, according to figures released on Tuesday by Destatis.
US economy cools more sharply than expected in August, surveys indicate
US economic activity slowed more sharply than expected last month as the Delta variant of Covid-19 hit demand for services and supply chain disruptions hit record highs, the results of two closely-followed surveys revealed.
US existing home sales beat forecasts in July
The pace of US home sales picked up unexpectedly last month, but some economists believed a slowdown was imminent.
Bundesbank says Delta could drag on economic growth
Germany's central bank cautioned that economic growth in 2021 might fall short of its projections last June.
Fed's Kaplan says he may have to adjust his views
One of the more 'hawkish' US central bank officials said he might need to adjust his views on monetary policy should the Delta variant of Covid-19 drag on the economy too much.
Europe close: Stocks hit by multiple concerns amid low trading volumes
European shares continued to slump on Thursday as fears of a sooner-than-expected tapering in global monetary policy, concerns around Delta Covid-19 and the ongoing crackdown on tech firms by Beijing dampened sentiment.
Philly Fed index slips as companies run down inventories
Manufacturing activity in the US mid-Atlantic region slowed in August as firms ran down their inventory levels, the results of a closely-followed survey revealed.
Weekly US jobless claims continue moving lower
Jobless claims in the US continued trending lower during the previous week, falling a bit more quickly than anticipated by economists.
Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines less effective versus Delta, large UK study finds
The Delta variant of Covid-19 blunts the efficacy of the Pfizer-BioNTech and AstraZeneca vaccines, the results of one of the largest real-world studies revealed.
Fed 'tapering' could start before year-end, meeting minutes show
A majority of the US central bank's top policymakers judged that the Federal Reserve would be able to slow its bond purchases later in 2021, the minutes of their last policy meeting revealed.
Top US health officials voice support for third Covid-19 vaccine shot
America's top health officials voiced their support for so-called booster shots against Covid-19 starting from September.
US housing starts surprise to the downside in July
US housing starts fell by more than expected last month, pointing to a normalisation in demand for housing to pre-pandemic levels.
RBNZ surprises, foregoes hike in short-term interest rates
Rate-setters in New Zealand stuck to their tightening bias at their policy meeting on Wednesday, but demured from hiking rates after the country went into lockdown the day before.
US industrial production bounds pasts forecasts in July
US industrial production accelerated sharply last month, led by gains in manufacturing of motor vehicles, business equipment and defence and space equipment.
Covid-19 concerns clouding the outlook for stocks, BoA survey says
A majority of global investors continue to expect the rally in European equities to continue in 2022, the results of a closely-followed survey revealed.
Eurozone GDP grows 2% in Q2 as Covid restrictions ease
The eurozone economy grew 2% in the second quarter as Covid restrictions eased, according to data released on Tuesday by Eurostat.
Empire State manufacturing index falls in August
Manufacturing activity in the New York area expanded more slowly in August, according to a survey released on Monday.
China retail sales, industrial production growth slows in July
Growth in China’s industrial production and retail sales slowed sharply in July amid flooding and a rise in Covid cases, according to data released on Monday by the National Bureau of Statistics.
Israel widens eligibility for third Covid-19 vaccine dose to over 50s
Israel has widened the eligibility criteria for a third shot of Pfizer's Covid-19 vaccine in order to help contain the fourth wave of the pandemic in the country.
US consumer confidence hit hard by rise of Covid-19 Delta variant
The appearance of the Delta variant of Covid-19 hammered Americans's confidence at the start of August, the results of a closely-followed survey revealed.