Data released just moments ago from the US Census Bureau showed a rise in US retail sales in August, exceeding market expectations. Sales rose to $732 billion, up 0.6% from a revised 0.6% in July (expected 0.2%), and were up 5% year-over-year compared to August 2024. Core sales, excluding autos, rose 0.7% in June, compared to a revised 0.4% in...
The German ZEW Business Sentiment Index rose more than expected in September, rising 2.6 points to 37.3, compared to 34.7 in August. Expectations were for a 25.3 increase. The September reading came despite a continued deterioration in the assessment of the current economic situation in Germany, reaching -76.4, down 7.8 from the August reading. The report indicated that uncertainty over...
Chinese markets closed mixed at the close of trading on Monday, June 16, the opening session of the week, after economic figures fell short of expectations. Japanese markets were closed for the Day of Respect for the Elderly, while the South Korean index hit a new record high amid market anticipation of the US Federal Reserve's meeting on Wednesday. Figures...
Yellow metal is trading higher in mid-trading today, Friday, September 12, the closing session of the week, benefiting from a weaker US dollar and rising expectations of a US interest rate cut next week. Gold is on track to post weekly gains for the fourth consecutive week of more than 2%. Gold is trading up about 0.45% at $3,650 per...
Preliminary estimates from the UK Office for National Statistics showed that UK GDP registered zero growth in July, following a 0.4% growth in June, matching expectations. Growth was 0.2% in the three months ending in July compared to the three months ending in April. The services sector, which accounts for more than 70% of the UK economy, grew by 0.3%...
Data released just moments ago from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics showed that the Consumer Price Index (CPI), a measure of inflation, rose by 0.4% in August after a 0.2% increase in July, exceeding expectations of a 0.3% increase. The core CPI, which excludes food and energy prices, rose by 0.3%, unchanged from the July reading, matching expectations. Conversely,...
The European Central Bank decided, at its meeting moments ago today, Thursday, September 11, to keep its three main interest rates unchanged. The deposit rate was kept at 2%, the main refinancing operations at 2.15%, and the lending facility at 2.40% for the second consecutive month after seven consecutive rate cuts. The bank's interest rate statement stated that inflation is...
The three major US stock indices are mixed at the opening of trading on Wednesday, September 10, after record closes on Tuesday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq rose, supported by the technology sector. Markets are awaiting US inflation figures on Thursday, with market bets on a September interest rate cut rising. Market expectations...
Data from China's National Bureau of Statistics showed early Wednesday, September 10, that the annual consumer price index (CPI), a measure of inflation, fell to -0.4% in August after showing no growth in July. Expectations were for a -0.2% decline. A 4.3% drop in food prices led the decline in August inflation, compared to a 2.7% decline in July. Conversely,...
Cryptocurrencies are trading higher in mid-trading on Tuesday, September 9, as Bitcoin rises for the third consecutive session with a rise in market value. Expectations of a US interest rate cut support the rise of cryptocurrencies amid anticipation of US inflation figures. Market expectations for a US interest rate cut have risen following the employment figures released at the end...