| Today's Economy
Further Thoughts on Japan's Q4 GDP Sustained stagnation in private consumption is a concern. Trend Remains Housing's Friend U.S. starts continue to claw their way higher. Fundamentals Will Win the Day for the U.S. Consumer Worries that the recent decline in real average hourly earnings will hurt spending are overdone. The VIX Is Remarkably Quiet Restrained U.S. equity volatility may not fully reflect market anxiety. » VIEW MORE TODAY'S ECONOMY
Commentary
The New Silk Road: A Blessing or a Curse? China could become the main global trade player and the EU’s largest trading partner. Asia-Pacific Economic Preview: 20-24 February The weak yen is supporting Japanese exports. Brazil Outlook: Mild Recovery The economy this year will enter positive territory with price stability. Indonesia Outlook: Improvement Occurring Higher commodity prices, better economic management, and low interest rates provide the boost. » VIEW MORE COMMENTARY
Today's Economic Indicators
World
Moody's Analytics Global CPI
Jan. 2017: 0.4%
Growth in global consumer prices firmed in January, reflecting an improvement in the global economy. Indonesia
Monetary Policy
Feb. 2017: 4.75%
Bank Indonesia left its policy rate unchanged at 4.75%, following its February policy meeting. France
Unemployment
2016Q4: 9.7%
The fourth quarter unemployment rate brought good news for the French labour market. Italy
Foreign Trade
Dec. 2016: €5.8 billion
Italy’s merchandise trade surplus widened to €5.8 billion in December from €5.6 billion a year earlier and from €4.2 billion in November. United States
Jobless Claims
February 11: 239,000
Initial claims for unemployment insurance benefits show little sign of fatigue in the labor market. United States
Philadelphia Fed Survey
Feb. 2017: 43.3
The Philadelphia Fed Manufacturing Business Outlook Survey continues to improve and at a rapid pace, with the general business conditions index in February reaching its highest reading since 1983. United States
New Residential Construction (C20)
Jan. 2017: 1.246 mil
Housing starts slipped slightly in January, though residential construction is still trending upward. Housing starts fell 2.6% for the month but were up by 10.5% from January 2016. This number is not alarming, as the monthly decline is likely caused by weather-related events in the West, where starts had the sharpest drop. United States
St. Louis Fed Financial Stress Index
February 10: -1.269
The St. United States
Natural Gas Storage Report
February 10: -114 bil cubic feet
Natural gas stocks fell by less than market analysts were expecting, which will put downward pressure on prices. China
Foreign Direct Investment
Jan. 2017:
Colombia
Industrial Production
Dec. 2016: 2.2%
Manufacturing output expanded just 2.2% y/y in December following a 1.6% y/y increase in the previous month. Argentina
Retail Sales Index
Dec. 2016: 18.5%
The index that tracks nominal sales at Buenos Aires’ largest shopping centers increased 18.5% y/y in December after 12.5% in the previous month. New Zealand
Retail Trade
2016Q4: 0.8%
Car sales drove respectable gains in both retail values and volumes over the December quarter. Singapore
GDP - Final
2016Q4:
Singapore
Foreign Trade
Jan. 2017:
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