A new index for economic uncertainty: nothing to fear but fear itself

Mar 08, 2016 23:01 pm UTC| Insights & Views Economy

A new monthly uncertainty index has been constructed by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) to track the cost of different factors such as international events and government policy decisions on the economy. Uncertainty...

Emerging Market Crisis Series

Any signs of weakness in Turkish economic activity may pressurise CBRT to cut rates

Mar 08, 2016 08:41 am UTC| Commentary Economy

Political pressures on the Turkish central bank might be ignited to cut interest rates if there are any signs of weakness in economic activity. Currently, the CBRT is in a mode of wait-and-see because of the increased...

China Crisis Series

China’s weak trade data shows challenging demand environment for exports in 2016

Mar 08, 2016 07:14 am UTC| Commentary Economy

Chinas exports fell 17.9% y/y for January-February period, the lowest since 2012. The countrys shipment to all major markets witnessed wide weakness. Chinas exports to ASEAN nations shrank the most. The countrys exports...

Negative gearing won't drive all investors from the housing market. Here's why.

Mar 08, 2016 04:32 am UTC| Insights & Views Economy Real Estate

After Labor announced proposed changes to negative gearing and the capital gains tax discount, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull told parliament that the policy would administer two contradictory shocks, massive shocks,...

Germany’s industrial production likely recovered in January

Mar 07, 2016 12:30 pm UTC| Commentary Economy

Germanys industrial output is expected to have rebounded in January 2016 after recording weak growth in December. However, industrial sectors growth continues to be weak. Industrial production in December had dropped 1.2%...

Germany’s factory orders fall slightly in January but points to sideways movement in production in long-term

Mar 07, 2016 10:40 am UTC| Commentary Economy

German factory orders for January were slightly lower than in December, registering -0.1%. However, this is smaller than one could have feared against the backdrop of recent decline in sentiment. The burden on...

Canada gains competitiveness in terms of unit labor costs, exports likely to be major source of growth in 2016

Mar 07, 2016 06:53 am UTC| Commentary Economy

Canadas labor productivity in Q4 2015 grew slightly by 0.1% after growing 0.4% in Q3 2015. Hours worked remained flat at 0.4% growth, whereas business-level GDP rose 0.1%. The growth in productivity was due to 0.4% growth...