Japanese small business confidence drops to worst in seven months

Jan 27, 2016 08:54 am UTC| Commentary Economy

Amid global market turmoil in the world and weakness in China, Japanese small business confidence started the year in downbeat note, data compiled by Shoko Chukin Bank shows. The reading is an important gauge of...

15 economic milestones which have led to the current eurozone crisis

Jan 27, 2016 04:55 am UTC| Insights & Views Economy

Last week the European Central Bank opted to leave interest rates on hold, amid financial market volatility that has fuelled further concern about eurozone growth prospects. But Professor emeritus at UNSW Australia,...

Struggling Kiwis diary industry leads to current account deficit in 2016

Jan 26, 2016 12:50 pm UTC| Insights & Views Economy

Dairy prices have been tumbling since early 2014, a well appreciated negative for the trade terms and nominal GDP growth. After a 60% fall, outcomes in dairy auctions have become more balanced in recent months. But given...

Renminbi Series

Yuan depreciation strains China property market

Jan 26, 2016 08:11 am UTC| Commentary Economy Real Estate

Since the beginning of the year, depreciation in Yuan rattled global markets. As of now, Yuan is trading at 6.57 per Dollar, down 1.25% this year and 6% in last six months. While some might consider depreciation of Yuan...

China Crisis Series

Panic over China looks increasingly overdone

Jan 25, 2016 16:28 pm UTC| Commentary Economy

According to the official GDP data, Chinas growth was 6.9% in 2015, which would be the slowest since 1990. China Activity Proxy (CAP) suggests that the true growth rate has been much weaker, perhaps as low as 4.3% in 2015....

Russia’s economy contracts 3.7% in 2015

Jan 25, 2016 10:49 am UTC| Commentary Economy

Thanks to lower oil price led economic turbulence, Russian Ruble reached new all-time high in 2016, above 85 per Dollar and economy contracted by 3.7% in 2015. Since 1999, Russian economy has contracted only twice in a...

Currency War Series

Euro area inflation bounce unlikely to prevent further stimulus

Jan 22, 2016 17:37 pm UTC| Commentary Economy Central Banks

The initial reading for January euro area annual inflation is forecast to see a second successive monthly rise. While oil prices fell in January, they dropped by even more at the same point last year. That should allow the...