U.S. first-time buyers still face ownership hurdles

Aug 30, 2015 08:59 am UTC| Insights & Views Economy

U.S. housing activity is gaining traction, with home sales and construction touching multi-year highs. Average existing home prices have finally returned to their 2006 peak, though remain about 15% below after adjusting...

US consumer sentiment ticks lower in late August

Aug 28, 2015 16:18 pm UTC| Commentary Economy

The University of Michigan index of consumer sentiment ticked down to 91.9 in the final August estimate (prelim: 92.9, July: 93.1), falling below consensus expectations of a nearly unchanged reading of 93.0. The current...

What happened in China?

Aug 28, 2015 16:00 pm UTC| Commentary Economy

After a third bailout package for Greece was agreed in mid-July, currency markets turned their focus to the Fed - at least until China came along in early August with the announcement of a significant change to its...

Russia inflation stabilizing

Aug 28, 2015 12:40 pm UTC| Commentary Economy

Russia inflation declined in August (per weekly data). The countrys inflation was expected at 15.5% y/y, down slightly from 15.6% last month. The decline in inflation is due to falling food prices from the strong 2015...

South Korean industrial production probably rose further in july

Aug 28, 2015 06:42 am UTC| Commentary Economy

South Koreas industrial production is likely to have extended its recovery momentum in July after the sizeable turnaround in June. July trade data suggests that non-electronics sectors such as chemical and metal products...

Brazil GDP likely to contract heavily in Q2

Aug 28, 2015 06:08 am UTC| Commentary Economy

Brazils economic activity index suggests that the supply-side economy contracted -7.3% qoq (annualised ) or -3.1% yoy in Q2. This prompts to project Q2 GDP growth of -1.7% qoq (-7.0% annualised or -2.7% yoy for the...

Stronger US growth calms doubters of global growth

Aug 27, 2015 12:52 pm UTC| Insights & Views Economy

Pessimist and doubters of global growth will feel sigh of relief today as US economy turned out to be stronger than everyone is expecting. Preliminary reading shows that US economy grew 2.1% in the second quarter,...