German unemployment increased less than expected in August despite weak economic activity, official data revealed Friday. The number of unemployed persons increased only 2,000 to 2.8 million in August, the Federal Employment Agency reported. Unemployment was forecast to rise 17,000, the same pace of increase as seen in July. The jobless rate stood at 6.0...
A highly anticipated report released by the Commerce Department on Friday showed U.S. consumer prices increased in line with economist estimates in the month of July, while the annual rate of price growth was unexpectedly flat. The Commerce Department said its personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index rose by 0.2 percent in July after inching...
A reading on Chicago-area business activity saw a modest increase in the month of August but continues to indicate contraction, according to a report released by MNI Indicators on Friday. MNI Indicators said its Chicago business barometer crept up to 46.1 in August from 45.3 in July, but a reading below 50 still indicates contraction....
UK mortgage approvals increased to a 22-month high in July as hopes of further interest rate cuts lured buyers to the housing market, data released by the Bank of England revealed Friday. Net mortgage approvals for house purchase rose to 62,000 in July from 60,600 in June. This was the highest since September 2022 and...
The China stock market on Friday wrote a finish to the three-day slide in which it had slumped almost 35 points or 1.2 percent. The Shanghai Composite Index now sits just above the 2,840-point plateau and it may add to its winnings on Monday. The global forecast for the Asian markets is upbeat on optimism...
The manufacturing sector in Indonesia continued to contract in August, and at a faster rate, the latest survey from S&P Global revealed on Monday with a manufacturing PMI score of 48.9. Thats down from 49.3 in July, and it moves further beneath the boom-or-bust line of 50 that separates expansion from contraction. Concurrent falls in...
The manufacturing sector in Thailand continued to expand in August, albeit at a slower rate, the latest survey from S&P Global revealed on Monday with a manufacturing PMI score of 52.0. Thats down from 52.8 in July, although it remains above the boom-or-bust line of 50 that separates expansion from contraction. The PMI had positive...
The Hong Kong stock market has moved higher in two straight sessions, advancing nearly 300 points or 1.8 percent along the way. The Hang Seng Index now sits just beneath the 17,990-point plateau and its likely to see continued strength again on Monday. The global forecast for the Asian markets is upbeat on optimism over...
The manufacturing sector in Taiwan continued to expand in August, albeit at a slower rate, the latest survey from S&P Global revealed on Monday with a manufacturing PMI score of 51.5. Thats down from 52.9 in July, although it remains above the boom-or-bust line of 50 that separates expansion from contraction. Underlying the weaker improvement...
The manufacturing sector in South Korea continued to expand in August, and at a faster rate, the latest survey from S&P Global revealed on Monday with a manufacturing PMI score of 51.9. Thats up from 51.4 in July, and it moves further above the boom-or-bust line of 50 that separates expansion from contraction. There was...