Australia's robust imports and weak export prices keep trade deficit elevated

Aug 31, 2015 06:09 am UTC| Commentary Economy

According to the official advanced estimate, imports were practically unchanged in July from June (0.2% mom), meaning that they remained at a high level, and were up by around 4.5% yoy. That said, all of this gain, and...

Regulatory pressure beginning to slow Australian housing investor credit

Aug 31, 2015 05:17 am UTC| Commentary Economy

Two key developments are expected to shape Australias monthly credit data for July. One is the beginning of a moderation in credit growth to housing investors as a result of regulatory pressure. Banks have raised...

Russia inflation to resume decline and Turkey inflation to rise

Aug 31, 2015 03:48 am UTC| Commentary Economy

In Russia, PMI likely declined as falling oil prices pressured the economy. In Turkey, PMI is expected to fall below 50, reflecting the negative effect of rising political uncertainty. Inflation in Turkey is expected to...

Australia's retail sales consolidating after autumn surge

Aug 31, 2015 01:53 am UTC| Commentary Economy

Australias retail sales surprised on the upside in June with a 0.7% mom gain, despite a marginal (0.1%) decline in food sales, meaning that non-food sales jumped by 1.2% mom, their largest gain since January (food sales...

Regulatory pressure beginning to slow Australian housing investor credit

Aug 31, 2015 00:52 am UTC| Commentary Economy

Two key developments are expected to shape the monthly credit data for July. One is the beginning of a moderation in credit growth to housing investors as a result of regulatory pressure. Banks have raised mortgage rates...

U.S. first-time buyers still face ownership hurdles

Aug 30, 2015 08:59 am UTC| Insights & Views Economy

U.S. housing activity is gaining traction, with home sales and construction touching multi-year highs. Average existing home prices have finally returned to their 2006 peak, though remain about 15% below after adjusting...

US consumer sentiment ticks lower in late August

Aug 28, 2015 16:18 pm UTC| Commentary Economy

The University of Michigan index of consumer sentiment ticked down to 91.9 in the final August estimate (prelim: 92.9, July: 93.1), falling below consensus expectations of a nearly unchanged reading of 93.0. The current...