Riksbank holds repo rate at -0.5 pct, keeps its short-term easing bias

Jul 06, 2016 12:58 pm UTC| Insights & Views Commentary Economy Central Banks

Swedens Riksbank held its key benchmark repo rate at -0.5% and also made no changes to its Quantitative Easing program at a policy meeting held today. The Executive Board has assessed that there will be a longer delay...

Depreciating Renminbi calls for concern in other Asian currencies

Jul 06, 2016 12:15 pm UTC| Commentary Economy

Depreciation in the Chinese renminbi is likely to create external headwinds for other major Asian currencies, raising export competitiveness for the Chinese economy. The RMB has continued its weakness on a...

Investment, consumption to drive Swiss economy; inflation to return to positive territory in 2017

Jul 06, 2016 12:13 pm UTC| Commentary Economy

Swiss inflation is likely to accelerate above zero in the quarters ahead, helped by oil prices; however, renewed upward pressures on the Swiss franc are expected to drag out the long period of low inflation, noted Societe...

Italy’s retail sales fall to two-and-a-half-year low in June

Jul 06, 2016 11:13 am UTC| Commentary Economy

Retail sales in Italy recorded the sharpest monthly fall in over two-and-a-half years in June, revealing the retailers worst sales performance since December 2012, with data highlighting concurrent downturns in gross...

Chile’s trade balance likely shrunk again in June for fall in exports

Jul 06, 2016 10:53 am UTC| Commentary Economy

Chiles exports and imports are likely to have dropped again in June on a year-on-year basis. According to a Societe General research report, Chiles June trade balance is expected to have lowered to $240 million from June...

German retail PMI eases in June as sales drop on missing target deadline

Jul 06, 2016 10:36 am UTC| Commentary Economy

Germanys retail sector Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) eased in June, signaling a weak pace of expansion.However, a whiff of positivity was injected bythe European Football Championship and the accompanyingpromotional...

French retail sales in June grow rapidly for second straight month

Jul 06, 2016 10:10 am UTC| Commentary Economy

French retailers have hinted at growth in sales in June. But on an annual basis, sales declined and were unsuccessful in meeting the plans set previously. The seasonally adjusted headline Retail PMI rose to 51 in June from...