Japan's May unemployment rate likely rose, but employment situation to strengthen in 2015

Jun 25, 2015 05:29 am UTC| Commentary

Japans unemployement data for May is due on 25th June.The number of job seekers that dropped out of the labour force increased in March and April. This led to a technical improvement in the unemployment rate (it was 3.5%...

UK retail sales strong but not that strong

Jun 25, 2015 05:22 am UTC| Commentary

The CBI Distributive Trades survey will give the first information on retail sales in (early) June.The survey makes comparisons with the same month a year earlier and so the balances are heavily influenced by the variable...

CT hike effect drops out of Japan's annual rate

Jun 25, 2015 05:21 am UTC| Commentary

Japans nationwide CPI (excluding fresh food) probably remained flat in May from a year ago (0.0% yoy), marking a significant slowdown from the +0.3% yoy observed in April. Following the introduction of the consumption tax...

EU Council to discuss further euro area economic integration but little progress likely

Jun 25, 2015 05:08 am UTC| Commentary

The key topic for the June Council is the move towards further euro area integration and to improve governance. The report from the Four Presidents (EU, Commission, ECB, and Council) will be presented. This report is...

Digital Single Market strategy, the first topic to be discussed at EU summit today

Jun 25, 2015 05:06 am UTC| Commentary

The official economic agenda at EU summit includes the Digital Single Market strategy, the European Semester, the TTIP and the report from the four Presidents on euro area integration, while Greece is no doubt going to be...

Weakness in Taiwan’s economic momentum to be temporary

Jun 25, 2015 05:06 am UTC| Commentary

Taiwans Q1 GDP growth dipped slightly to 3.4 yoy in Q1 from 3.5 yoy in Q4 2014. That said, the composition of growth shows external demand weakened further and the recovery in domestic demand was weaker than anticipated....

US personal spending finally on a rebound

Jun 25, 2015 05:00 am UTC| Commentary

The reported May increase in US auto sales combined with a solid increase in retail sales suggest that consumer spending finally rebounded after a winter pause that extended into the early spring.Societe Generale forecasts...