U.S. initial and continuing claims appear to have returned to improvement trend

Oct 07, 2016 04:51 am UTC| Commentary Economy

In the week ending 1 October 2016, U.S. initial jobless claims dropped to 249,000. This was below consensus expectations. The four-week moving average in initial claims dropped down a tad to 254,000 after rounding....

Vital Signs Series

Mixed signals from the global economy

Oct 07, 2016 01:06 am UTC| Insights & Views Economy Central Banks

The first monetary policy statement from new RBA governor Philip Lowe, the International Monetary Fund cuts global growth forecasts and mixed signals from the global economy as the US election race runs on. It was...

Expansionary monetary policy and robust growth to see increased inflation risks in Norway

Oct 06, 2016 12:05 pm UTC| Insights & Views Economy Central Banks

Inflation trend in Norway has accelerated since the start of the year, contrary to Norges Banks expectations. Norwegian central bank had maintained a generally pessimistic economic outlook and stuck to its expansionary...

Emerging Market Crisis Series

South Africa's economy would take a knock if starved of new graduates

Oct 05, 2016 13:42 pm UTC| Insights & Views Economy

There is a real risk that some of South Africas universities will not see out the 2016 academic year which ends in November. The ongoing fees must fall protests have seen classes disrupted at some institutions, and there...

Worrisome Signs Series

Latest IMF forecast paints a bleak picture for global growth

Oct 05, 2016 12:41 pm UTC| Insights & Views Economy

The International Monetary Fund has published its latest report on the future prospects for the worlds economies. The forecasts paint a subdued picture, predicting global Gross Domestic Product to rise by 3.1% this year...

Better livestock policies in Africa offer a pathway out of poverty

Oct 05, 2016 11:19 am UTC| Insights & Views Economy

A majority of rural households in Africa keep different livestock species. But only a small proportion can afford to keep good quality livestock. This is mainly due to a combination of low government funding and the poor...

Solid PMI readings for September suggest neutral policy stance from BOE

Oct 05, 2016 10:31 am UTC| Insights & Views Central Banks Economy

Markit/CIPS composite PMI rises to 53.7 in September from 53.2 in August. UK service sector continued to recover from Julys EU referendum-induced shock, however, the rate of expansion slowed. Septembers services PMI saw...