U.S. pending home sales fall to decade-low on higher mortgage rates, signals pressure on housing market

Dec 29, 2016 05:09 am UTC| Commentary Economy

Pending home sales in the United States unexpectedly fell to a decade-low during the month of November, following a sudden rise in mortgage lending rates amid limited inventory, signaling pressure on the countrys housing...

Political turmoil in 2016 can be traced back to the 2008 financial crisis

Dec 28, 2016 15:21 pm UTC| Insights & Views Economy Politics

How would you rate and characterise 2016 in economic terms? It was obviously an extremely difficult year for many countries, including South Africa. From a South African point of view, the challenges are clearly...

Italy's business and consumer confidence at odds, provide little clarity on prospects for economic growth

Dec 28, 2016 15:03 pm UTC| Commentary Economy

Italys statistics office ISTAT released businesses and consumer confidence data for the month of December earlier on Wednesday. Data showed that confidence among Italian businesses and consumers moved in different...

U.K. mortgage approvals post surprise fall in November, lower than market consensus

Dec 28, 2016 10:24 am UTC| Commentary Economy

Mortgage approvals in the United Kingdom posted an unexpected fall during the month of November, remaining lower than what markets had initially anticipated. U.K. mortgage approvals declined for the first time in three...

Spanish retail sales jump in November at fastest pace in three months

Dec 28, 2016 10:06 am UTC| Commentary Economy

Retail sales in Spain jumped during the month of November, at the fastest pace in three months and broadly beating what markets had initially anticipated. Spanish retail sales growth was faster-than-expected pace in...

U.S. pending home sales likely to rise in November, recovery to continue into 2017

Dec 28, 2016 09:27 am UTC| Commentary Economy

Pending home sales in the United States are expected to have risen during the month of November, as consumers showcase positive reaction to the sharp changes in the value of real estate assets. Also, households have...

Japan retail sales post first gain in almost 9 months, widely beat market expectations

Dec 28, 2016 07:09 am UTC| Commentary Economy

Retail sales in Japan rebounded during the month of November, posting the first positive gain during the period and broadly beating what markets had initially anticipated. Retail sales in Japan were up a seasonally...