Higher wage costs limit profitability of business sector in U.S.

Dec 09, 2015 05:52 am UTC| Commentary Economy

The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) index of small business optimism in U.S. reduced to 94.8 in November against 96.1 in October. The index was dropped due to fall in expectations for higher sales,...

New Zealand Q3 current account preview

Dec 09, 2015 04:16 am UTC| Commentary Economy

There is a rise in New Zealands export prices and volumes in third quarter of 2015, which were counter balanced by rise in import bill as the NZD was weaker. Trade in services is likely to move ahead into surplus,...

Euro area 2015 GDP likely to come in at 1.5%

Dec 09, 2015 03:46 am UTC| Commentary Economy

Euro Area Q3 final estimate was unchanged from the flash reading at 0.3%qoq. The economic growth softened modestly from Q1 and Q2 2015. Expenditure breakdown was consistent with expectations indcating that final...

Indian markets on shaky ground, but well-cushioned

Dec 09, 2015 02:32 am UTC| Commentary Economy

Indian markets tread on thin ice ahead of this months US FOMC meeting where a rate lift-off seems imminent. The European Central Banks underwhelming policy support also saw asset markets react uneasily late last week, with...

Monetary policy will remain stable to balance the risks on growth and inflation in Malaysia

Dec 09, 2015 01:45 am UTC| Commentary Economy

Monetary policy will remain stable to balance the risks on growth and inflation. Inflation reading has thus far been lower than expected. Latest October CPI inflation reported a 2.5% (YoY) rise. The combined impact of the...

China's structural and cyclical slowdown; reforms remain key to maintain growth

Dec 09, 2015 00:18 am UTC| Commentary Economy

The gradual slowdown over the last four years has been due to the potential growth rate grinding lower and cyclical pressure on the economy. That implies there is room to support potential growth with structural reforms...

China's path of growth slowdown as rebalancing continues

Dec 08, 2015 23:43 pm UTC| Commentary Economy

Investment growth is expected to decelerate further in the next two years, but likely at a slower pace than before. Meanwhile, consumption growth will likely stabilize at lower levels, on the back of relatively firm growth...