Labour market is softening in Singapore

Oct 30, 2015 02:21 am UTC| Commentary Economy

The labour market is softening in Singapore. Although overall employment grew by 16,400 in the third quarter, which is faster than in the last quarter (9,700), this is significantly less than the number a year ago...

China scraps one-child policy

Oct 30, 2015 02:11 am UTC| Commentary Economy

China has scrapped its one-child policy more than three decades after it was first introduced. After the abolition, each couple will be allowed to have two children. Prior to that, only selected couples are allowed to have...

New Zealand ANZBO business confidence rose sharply in October

Oct 30, 2015 02:06 am UTC| Commentary

October saw a strong increase in business confidence, with the net number of businesses expecting good times over the coming year rising to 10.5%. Thats up sharply from September when the majority of businesses were...

UK GfK Consumer Confidence remains elevated but concerns on next 12 months increase

Oct 30, 2015 00:23 am UTC| Commentary

The October GfK Consumer Confidence index declined 1 point to 2, but nonetheless remains elevated compared to historical levels. Each category registered a decline, with the exception of personal financial situation (last ...

New Zealand wage growth to remain low, but spending power pushing higher

Oct 29, 2015 23:55 pm UTC| Commentary

New Zealand wage growth remains modest. Private sector wage rates as measured by the Labour Cost Index is expected to rise by 1.9% over the past year (up just a touch from last quarter) , while the broader QES measure of...

New Zealand labour force growth outpacing employment

Oct 29, 2015 23:38 pm UTC| Commentary

Over the past year, weve seen GDP growth slow and business confidence falling to low levels. Together, these factors have seen businesses reining back hiring. In light of these developments, the Household Labour Force...

New Zealand residential building consents fall in September

Oct 29, 2015 22:58 pm UTC| Commentary

New Zealand residential building consents fell by 5.7% in seasonally adjusted terms in September 2015. This was below the forecast of a 0.2% increase in consents for the month. That said, the fall this month is not a huge...