
South Africa is Africa's largest economy (again). But what does it mean?
Aug 12, 2016 09:13 am UTC| Insights & Views Economy
South Africa has toppled Nigeria and reclaimed its status as the largest economy in Africa. This comes two years after Nigeria rebased its GDP calculation and advanced to the top spot. South Africa was also temporarily...
New Zealand’s retail sales rise sharply in Q2
Aug 12, 2016 09:05 am UTC| Commentary Economy
New Zealands retail sales volumes rose sharply 2.3 percent quarter-on-quarter in seasonally adjusted terms in the second quarter, strongest quarterly growth since the fourth quarter of 2006. This is quite stronger than the...
Despite ECB’s record easing, deflation proves to be sticky
Aug 12, 2016 07:56 am UTC| Commentary Economy
European Central Bank (ECB) has broken all available records when it comes to easing the monetary policy. Bond buying is continuing at a record pace of 80 billion, theinterest rate is at record low of -0.4 percent and...
FxWirePro: The Day Ahead- 12th August, 2016
Aug 12, 2016 05:04 am UTC| Commentary Economy
Lots of economic dockets and events scheduled for today and all with low to medium risks associated. Data released so far: China: Urban investments grew 8.1 percent in July down from 9 percent in June. Industrial...

U.S. unemployment rate is misleading
Aug 11, 2016 13:01 pm UTC| Commentary Economy
According to latest non-farm payroll report, US unemployment rate is at 4.9 percent as of July and is now being considered that the rate has reached long-term normal level. Technically speaking, yes, the rate has reached...

Unexpected spike in Norway inflation reduces chances of a rate cut in September
Aug 11, 2016 11:41 am UTC| Insights & Views Economy Central Banks
Norways core inflation surged to record highs in July, dampening Norges Banks rate cut speculation. Norways core inflation, as measured by the CPI-ATE unexpectedly surged to 3.7 percent y/y in July, up from 3.0 percent in...

JOLTS data points to structural unemployment
Aug 11, 2016 10:28 am UTC| Commentary Economy
Latest data from JOLTS points at adeterioration in employment suitability ratio. This is a simple ratio calculated from the data of total job openings to total hires. Whenever the number reaches above 1, it means the...