Australia’s trade deficit narrowed to $2.9bn in November

Jan 07, 2016 01:56 am UTC| Commentary Economy

Australias trade deficit came in at $2.9bn for November, a $341mn improvement on a $3.2bn deficit for October (mkt median -$3.0bn). Imports edged 0.6% lower, down $182mn, as anticipated. Export earnings surprised,...

US trade deficit narrows as imports slump

Jan 06, 2016 18:10 pm UTC| Commentary Economy

Although the trade deficit narrowed to an eight-month low of $42.3bn in November, from $44.6bn, the decline was due to decline in imports at a faster pace than exports, which is hardly a positive sign. Exports fell by...

China Crisis Series

Authorities in China back on the defensive

Jan 06, 2016 17:27 pm UTC| Commentary Economy

Continued negative sentiment towards China has put the authorities back onto the defensive in recent days. It emerged on Wednesday that a ban on the selling of equities by large investors had been extended indefinitely....

End of 2015 brought in a modest acceleration of consumer price inflation in South Korea

Jan 06, 2016 00:26 am UTC| Commentary Economy

The end of 2015 brought in a modest acceleration of consumer price inflation in South Korea, with the headline CPI rising by 1.3% y/y in December, up from 0.6% at the end of the third quarter. We will likely see a further...

Monetary conditions continue to ease in Taiwan

Jan 05, 2016 23:51 pm UTC| Commentary Economy

In mid-December, the central banks policymakers decided unanimously to reduce the benchmark interest rate by 12.5 basis points to 1.625%. The previous rate cut of the same magnitude took place in September. The decision...

Deflationary pressures persist in Thailand

Jan 05, 2016 23:17 pm UTC| Commentary Economy

Thailands headline consumer price inflation closed 2015 at -0.9% y/y, recording the 12th consecutive month of deflation. Prices are expected to continue to decline at least until the second quarter of 2016 after which...

UK economy should continue to maintain decent growth of just over 2% this year

Jan 05, 2016 22:28 pm UTC| Commentary Economy

The UK economy should continue to maintain decent growth of just over 2% this year, down from an estimated 2.2% in 2015 and 2.9% in 2014. Growth in consumer spending is expected to remain supportive, but will likely ease...