International Economic
Federal Reserve not yet confident enough to cut rates, but sees progress
Central bankers in the U. S. said they were now closer to achieving their goals for both full employment and inflation stability.
German inflation eases to lowest rate since June 2021
German inflation continued to ease in January, official data showed on Wednesday, as energy prices fell sharply.
Chicago manufacturing downturn deepens in January
The manufacturing downturn in the wider Chicago area unexpectedly worsened in January, according to a closely watched survey of purchasing managers released on Wednesday.
US employment costs slow by more than expected at the end of 2023
The cost of hiring workers in the U. S. increased at its slowest pace in years during the final quarter of 2023.
US private sector adds fewer jobs than expected in January
Private sector employment in the US rose less than expected in January, according to figures released on Wednesday by ADP.
German unemployment holds steady
German unemployment held steady at the start of the year, official data showed on Wednesday, despite the weak economic backdrop.
German retail sales unexpectedly slide in December
Retail sales in Germany unexpectedly declined again in December, according to data released on Wednesday by the federal statistics agency Destatis.
China factory activity falls again in January
Factory activity contracted again in China during January for the fourth consecutive month as the world’s second-largest economy continued to struggle.
US consumer confidence jumps to two-year high
Consumer confidence in the US increased for the third straight month in January, rising to its highest level in more than two years, according to data released on Tuesday by the Conference Board.
IMF lifts GDP forecasts as inflation slows faster than expected
The International Monetary Fund says that a global soft landing is a possibility as its raised its projections for economic growth in 2024 and 2025.
US job openings rise unexpectedly in December
The U. S. jobs market continued to exhibit strength at the end of 2023.
Eurozone Q4 GDP comes in flat, avoids technical recession
The eurozone and European Union managed to avoid a technical recession after official flash estimates showed the economy flatlined in the last three months of 2023.
Eurozone economic sentiment remains depressed
Economic sentiment in the eurozone remained in the doldrums in January, according to a survey released by the European Commission on Tuesday.
Germany on edge of recession as GDP contracts in Q4
Germany’s economy contracted in the final quarter of 2023 last year, official data revealed on Tuesday, meaning Europe’s largest economy is close to recession.
French economy stagnates, avoids technical recession
France avoided entering a technical recession but its economy stagnated in the second half of 2023, according to official data released on Tuesday.
Americans continue spending in December, inflations slips more than expected
Americans continued to splash out at a steady clip at the end of 2023, while price pressures continued to recede.
German consumer gloom deepens - GfK survey
Germany’s economic gloom deepened on Friday as a widely-watched survey showed an unexpected fall in consumer confidence as inflation deterred people from major purchases.
Jobless claims rise but labour market remains resilient
Initial claims for unemployment benefits in the US rose more than expected last week, according to data released on Thursday by the Department of Labor, though the long-term trend remain pointing downwards.
ECB stand pat, committed to lowering inflation to 2.0%
Rate-setters in Frankfurt stayed put on policy at their latest policy meeting, but reiterated their determination to return inflation to 2. 0% in timely fashion.
US economy grew more than expected in Q4
US GDP expanded more than anticipated in the last three months of 2023, complicating the picture for interest rates as the Federal Reserve has to contend with stronger-than-expected economic growth amid a potential loosening of monetary policy.