Just how good are the US GDP numbers?
The economy sprung into action last quarter, growing at a whopping annualised 5.7 per cent, its fastest pace in six years. Analysts surveyed by Bloomberg were only expecting a 4.5 [...]
Eurozone inflation, aims and aspirations
Eurozone inflation data just out show the annual rate creeping higher – to 1 per cent in January, up from 0.9 per cent in December. That will make life a [...]
Just another day of deflation in Japan
Today’s consumer price index data show that “core-core” prices in Japan, that is excluding food and energy, were 1.2 per cent lower in December than a year ago. That is [...]
The Bernanke vote cometh
Senate leaders are confident. Intrade futures give him a 97.2 per cent chance of being confirmed for a second term. The vote is expected later today. Stay tuned for more…
Interest payments leave Brazil in the red
Brazil posted yet another monthly budget deficit in December, and, yet again, it’s not the economy getting a Keynesian boost. Before interest payments, the budget surplus was 2.06 per cent [...]
At long last, Hoenig breaks consensus at the Fed
The post-Lehman Fed unanimity has finally been broken. The Fed again voted to keep interest rates unchanged in the 0 to 0.25 per cent range for an ‘extended period.” But [...]
The US’s shrinking – and then growing – deficit
The Congressional Budget Office today released its outlook for the budget deficit. No surprise: the deficit, as a proportion of GDP, is expected to fall considerably from 9.9 per cent [...]
Kenya holds rates at 7%
The Central Bank of Kenyan has kept the central bank rate at 7 per cent in spite of falling inflation and rising growth. Inflation has fallen dramatically, partly because of [...]
Poland holds rate at 3.5%; traders price in rise
Poland’s central bank held the benchmark seven-day reference rate at 3.5 per cent for the seventh month, as expected. The Bank noted risks for the global recovery as central banks [...]
Malaysian rates held at 2%
The Malaysian central bank has kept the overnight policy rate at 2 per cent. In an upbeat statement, the Bank said inflation had turned positive, the economy was expanding, and [...]