| Today's Economy
German Coalition Deal Puts Fiscal Policy in Spotlight Merkel’s partner in governing may push for loosening the purse strings. U.S. Debt Limit Deadline Is Sooner Than Expected The Treasury will run out of cash in mid-March rather than at the end of the month. Economic Briefing: Feeling Better Relief has emerged in global equity markets; India's central bank will hold steady in February. Corporate Bond Yield Spreads Shrug Off Higher VIX Index Do not be surprised if the high-yield bond spread ultimately helps to guide the VIX index lower. » VIEW MORE TODAY'S ECONOMY
Commentary
U.S. Chartbook: Close to Perfect We are not worried about the one blemish in the January employment report. U.S. Weekly Highlights and Preview, February 2, 2018 Not again! We are back on a government shutdown watch. Making a Mountain Out of a Molehill U.S. average earnings were solid in January but there are reasons to discount it some. Europe Weekly Highlights and Preview, 2 February, 2018 We now expect a BoE rate hike in August. » VIEW MORE COMMENTARY
Today's Economic Indicators
Malaysia
Foreign Trade
Dec. 2017: MYR7.2 bil
Malaysia's trade surplus narrowed to MRY7.2 billion in December, from the MYR9.9 billion recorded in November. Taiwan (Province of China)
Foreign Trade
Jan. 2018: US$2,420.7 mil
Taiwan’s trade surplus narrowed to US$2.4 billion in January, after rising to US$6.1 billion in December. France
Foreign Trade
Dec. 2017: -€ 3.5 bil
France’s trade deficit narrowed to €3.5 billion in December from the upwardly revised €5.3 billion in the previous month. Germany
Industrial Production
Dec. 2017: -0.6%
German industrial production retreated slightly at the end of last year, falling 0.6%, after rising sharply in November. Italy
Retail Sales
Dec. 2017: -0.3%
Italy’s retail sales fell by 0.3% m/m in December, partly reversing November’s 0.9% gain. India
Monetary Policy
Feb. 2018:
Chile
Foreign Trade
Jan. 2018: US$1,209.8 mil
Chile’s trade surplus swelled to $1.2 billion in January. United States
MBA Mortgage Applications Survey
February 02: 0.7%
Mortgage applications rose marginally last week. Russian Federation
Consumer Price Index
Jan. 2018: 0.3%
The January Russian consumer price index showed a modest slowdown in inflation, with month-over-month prices rising at 0.3% (-0.1 percentage point). Canada
Building Permits
Dec. 2017: 4.8%
Canadian construction is showing resiliency. United States
Oil Inventories
February 02: 420.3 mil barrels
A smaller than expected build in crude oil inventories will put some upward pressure on oil prices. China
Foreign Trade
Jan. 2018:
United States
Consumer Credit (G19)
Dec. 2017: $18.4 bil
Headline consumer credit lost a little momentum in December but continued to increase. New Zealand
Monetary Policy
Feb. 2018: 1.75%
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand's monetary policy committee is comfortable as a spectator, watching economic conditions unfold from the sidelines. Brazil
Monetary Policy
Feb. 2018: 6.75%
Brazil’s policymakers eased monetary conditions a little more, although at a more moderate pace. » VIEW MORE ECONOMIC INDICATORS | 
