Today's Economy LatAm Daily Briefing: 2020 Recession Worst in Memory Our GDP forecast for the region was on point, but some surprises occurred on a country-by-country basis. Is a February U.S. Retail Sales Flop in the Cards? Fewer tax refunds, weather, and payback could weigh on retail sales. Europe Daily Briefing: Euro Zone Confidence Still Lagging The ESI improved in February but is still well off its year-ago level. Asia-Pacific Daily Briefing: Bank of Korea Holds Fire Inflation is expected to stay well shy of the central bank's target this year. » VIEW MORE TODAY'S ECONOMY
Commentary A Perfect Winter Storm for Texas The idiosyncrasies of last week’s weather made it the costliest winter event in memory. U.S. Commodities Outlook: Oil's Upside Risks The recovery in demand is expected to prompt OPEC+ to bring on additional supply. Global Vaccine Tracker Update: Shots in the Arms Declining COVID-19 infections set the stage for a spring rebound in the economy. U.S. Workplaces of the Future Some metro areas can expect an outsize dividend from increased labor mobility. » VIEW MORE COMMENTARY
Today's Economic Indicators
Thailand Foreign Trade Jan. 2021: US$1.9 bil Falling exports and increasing imports weighed on Thailand’s foreign trade, as the trade surplus fell to $1.9 billion in January from $2.8 billion in December. Austria Industrial Production Dec. 2020: -5.6% Austria’s industrial production posted the second consecutive monthly decline in December, falling 5.6% and bringing the index 5% below its year-ago reading. Euro Zone Business and Consumer Sentiment Feb. 2021: 93.4 The euro zone’s economic sentiment indicator, which combines indexes of business and consumer confidence, recovered to a 10-month high of 93.4 in February, after falling to 91.5 in January. Mexico Economic Activity Index Dec. 2020: -2.7% y/y Mexico’s economic activity advanced at the end of the year despite the rise in COVID-19 infections. Mexico Employment Situation Jan. 2021: 4.7% Unemployment Unemployment experienced its typical seasonal rebound at the start of the year. Mexico GDP 2020Q4: -4.3% y/y Mexico’s economy continued to recover in the last quarter of 2020 as the reopening proceeded, though growth was more moderate. United States Jobless Claims February 20: 730,000 U.S. initial claims for unemployment insurance have been volatile since the beginning of the year but still signal weakness in the labor market. United States Durable Goods (Advance) Jan. 2021: 3.4% m/m Transportation juiced U.S. durable goods orders in January, and the details show some signs that business equipment spending could be losing momentum. Canada Earnings, Hours and Employment Dec. 2020: 6.4% After November's 0.4% slip, payroll employment pushed higher in December by 44,200 positions, a 0.3% increase. United States GDP 2020Q4: 4.1%, q/q, SAAR U.S. United States Pending Home Sales Jan. 2021: 122.8 The NAR pending home sales index dropped 2.8% to 122.8 in January, fully reversing the slight increase in December and falling back near its July 2020 level. World Moody's Analytics Global HPI 2020Q4: 7.4% The Moody’s Analytics nominal house price index increased by 7.4% on a year-ago basis in the fourth quarter, building on the 5.8% rise in the third. United States St. Louis Fed Financial Stress Index February 19: -0.80 The St. United States Natural Gas Storage Report February 19: -338 bil cubic feet Last week’s massive decline in natural gas inventories surpassed already-bold consensus predictions. United States Kansas City Fed Manufacturing Survey Feb. 2021: 24 Manufacturing activity in the 10th District expanded again in February with the top-line composite index rising to 24 from 17. South Korea Industrial Production Jan. 2021: South Korea Retail Sales Jan. 2021: Japan Industrial Production Jan. 2021: Japan Foreign Trade Jan. 2021: China Manufacturing PMI Feb. 2021: Malaysia Foreign Trade Jan. 2021: » VIEW MORE ECONOMIC INDICATORS |