Case for loosening policy by Norges Bank remains fairly strong
May 07, 2015 17:08 pm UTC| Commentary
The Norges Bank left its policy rate unchanged at 1.25% on Thursday, but the case for loosening policy remains fairly strong. The labour market has shown signs of weakening recently and economic growth prospects are still...
Surveys point to an improvement in Germany’s industrial production
May 07, 2015 16:41 pm UTC| Commentary
Germanys industrial production (07.00 BST) rose by just 0.2% m/m in February, hit by a sharp fall in construction output following Januarys weather-related surge. This is unlikely to have been repeated in March and the...
US payrolls growth probably rebounded in April
May 07, 2015 16:29 pm UTC| Commentary
"We dont think that the unexpectedly weak 126,000 gain in non-farm payrolls (13.30 BST) in March signals the start of a deterioration in labour market conditions. Other indicators have remained at robust levels and our...
China’s trade surplus likely to have surged in April
May 07, 2015 16:11 pm UTC| Commentary
Capital Economics thinks China trade surplus should have rebounded strongly in April. Export growth probably bounced back last month as distortions caused by the late timing of Chinese New Year ought to have...
Fading deflation fears drive up Treasury yields
May 07, 2015 16:06 pm UTC| Commentary
The recent rise in the yields of US Treasuries can largely be attributed to the rebound in the price of oil, which has led to an increase in "inflation compensation".The rise in the price of oil has been sufficient to...
Recovery in oil price likely to run out of steam
May 07, 2015 15:47 pm UTC| Commentary
The price of a barrel of Brent crude oil has recovered to nearly $70, a 50% gain from its Jan low of $46. Prices have been boosted by evidence that the previous sharp falls have undermined US production, the reversal of...
Current environment conducive to a pick-up in France investment
May 07, 2015 15:22 pm UTC| Commentary
There is still one missing ingredient to be sure that the nascent recovery in France will not prove short-lived: this is an upturn in non-residential investment.For the moment, it is not surprising or abnormal for this...
South Africa’s plan to move away from coal: 8 steps to make it succeed
Germany lowers voting age to 16 for the European elections
IceCube researchers detect a rare type of energetic neutrino sent from powerful astronomical objects