| Today's Economy
Economic Roundup: U.S. Initial Claims Are Low but Likely Will Move Higher Weather is probably putting downward pressure on the trend in initial claims. Economic Briefing: Bank of Korea Stays on the Sidelines New data suggest that Q4 investment was weak in Australia. Australia Capital Investment Slides in Q4 Services remain a bright spot but fail to offset the mining downturn. Economic Roundup: How Soon Is Soon? FOMC minutes note a rate hike could occur fairly soon, but don't believe that means March. » VIEW MORE TODAY'S ECONOMY
Commentary
Fed and Financial Markets Are Not on the Same Page Markets have been more accurate about the path of interest rates. Latin America Economic Preview: 27 February - 3 March Colombia's economy decelerates, while Chile's remains weak. Greece Outlook: The Path to Recovery The economy has stabilized and should grow at a solid pace this year. Mexico's Inflation Rooted in Monetary Policy Currency depreciation and fuel price increases are not the real causes. » VIEW MORE COMMENTARY
Today's Economic Indicators
France
Business Survey
Feb. 2017: 107.0
Manufacturing confidence in France surprised on the upside and ticked up to 107 in February, reaching its highest since June 2011 and remaining above its long-term average of 100 since April 2015. Germany
GDP
2016Q4: 0.4%
German GDP advanced 0.4% q/q in the last quarter of 2016, following a 0.2% increase in the previous stanza, in line with the preliminary estimate. Taiwan
Domestic Trade
Jan. 2017: 3.9%
Household spending started 2017 on an upbeat note in Taiwan. Taiwan
Industrial Production
Jan. 2017: 2.8%
Manufacturing is trending higher in Taiwan despite the slowdown in January. Italy
Retail Sales
Dec. 2016: -0.5%
Italy’s retail sales retreated by 0.5% m/m in December, more than we expected. Germany
Ifo Business Climate Index
Feb. 2017: 111.0
The German Ifo Business Climate Index recovered in February, following a drop at the start of the year. Canada
Earnings, Hours and Employment
Dec. 2016: 1.2%
Growth in the Canadian labor market accelerated in December. United States
Chicago Fed National Activity Index
Jan. 2017: -0.05
The pace of U.S. economic growth ebbed in January. United States
Jobless Claims
February 18: 244,000
Layoffs remain low, but initial claims for unemployment insurance benefits are less useful this time of year in gauging the broader health of the labor market. United States
FHFA Purchase-Only House Price Index
Dec. 2016: 6.2%
House prices are accelerating at a steady pace. United States
St. Louis Fed Financial Stress Index
February 17: -1.27
The St. United States
Natural Gas Storage Report
February 17: -89 bil cubic feet
Natural gas stocks fell slightly more than analyst expectations, which will apply slight upward pressure on prices. United States
Kansas City Fed Manufacturing Survey
Feb. 2017: 14
Manufacturing activity in the Kansas City Federal Reserve district expanded at its fastest pace in over five years during February, and producers' optimism has swelled to a historic high. United States
Oil Inventories
February 17: 518.7 mil barrels
A surprisingly small increase in crude oil inventories will put upward pressure on crude oil prices. Argentina
Industrial Production - Advance
Jan. 2017: -1.1%
According to Argentina’s statistics office, industrial output contracted 1.1% y/y in January (NSA), after a 2.3% drop in December. South Korea
Consumer Sentiment Index
Feb. 2017: 94.4
Korean households are feeling slightly more optimistic about the future, but overall sentiment is still downbeat. » VIEW MORE ECONOMIC INDICATORS | 