Following a surprise 25 basis point (bps) rate hike in May, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) board members opted to raise the Official Cash Rate (OCR) by another 25 basis points (bps) to 4.10% at its June policy meeting, delivering another hawkish surprise. According to the most recent Reuters …
Read More »German business sentiment worsens in May
According to a poll released on Wednesday, German business confidence fell further than predicted in May, owing mostly to a steep drop in future expectations, indicating that Europe’s largest economy is suffering persistent economic headwinds. The Ifo Institute said that its business environment index was 91.7 in May, down from …
Read More »German producer prices post smallest increase in two years
According to statistics released on Friday, German producer prices rose at the weakest annual rate in two years in April, indicating that inflation in Europe’s largest economy may decline further. According to the Federal Statistical Office, producer prices for industrial items rose 4.1% in April compared to the same month …
Read More »German ZEW Economic Sentiment Index declines in May
The German ZEW headline figure revealed that the Economic Sentiment Index fell substantially in May, falling to -10.7 from 4.1 in April, falling short of the market forecast of -5.5. Meanwhile, the Current Situation Index rose to -34.8 from -32.5, above the market forecast of -37.5. During the same time …
Read More »Financial Markets’ Weekly Recap, May 08-12
The dollar remained close to a peak of more than a week on Friday after a slew of data released overnight indicated a slowdown in the US economy, as investors bet the Federal Reserve would halt interest rate increases. The dollar index, which measures the performance of the US currency …
Read More »German CPI rose 7.6% y/y in April
Germany’s federal statistics office said on Wednesday that the consumer price index rose 7.6 percent year-on-year in April, confirming earlier preliminary data. The bureau added that the index rose 0.6 percent compared to March.
Read More »Adidas expects bumpy year despite forecast-beating sales
Adidas shares rose on Friday after better-than-expected first-quarter results, although CEO Bjorn Gulden forecast “a bumpy year with disappointing numbers” for the German sportswear giant. Despite a 1% sales drop, an operating profit of 60 million euros ($66 million) beat analyst expectations of 15 million euros for the company which …
Read More »Financial Markets’ Weekly Recap, April 24-28
The euro fell on Friday after economic data painted a mixed picture on growth and inflation in the euro-zone, adding to uncertainty about the percentage by which the European Central Bank is expected to raise interest rates next week. Preliminary data showed gross domestic product in the euro zone grew …
Read More »Germany’s economy slowed in the first quarter
Data on Friday showed that the German economy slowed in the first quarter, as higher exports and capital investment offset a decline in government and household consumption. The Federal Statistics Office said the gross domestic product was unchanged on a quarterly basis. Analysts polled by Reuters had expected growth of …
Read More »German unemployment rises more than expected in April
German unemployment rose more than expected in April, Labour Office figures showed on Friday, as a sluggish economy took its toll on the labour market. The Federal Labour Office said the number of people out of work increased by 24,000 in seasonally adjusted terms to 2.567 million. Analysts polled by …
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