Key highlights of the week ended March 4

Note: This section contains information in English only.
Source: Dukascopy Bank SA
Euro zone
The Euro zone's growth and inflation prospects have weakened and policy makers should take these developments into account when deciding on monetary policy. Inflation across the currency bloc slid into negative territory in February, virtually ensuring the ECB will unveil additional stimulus when it reviews policy on March 10. Meanwhile, Bank of France Governor Francois Villeroy de Galhau said that the ECB is ready to deploy fresh stimulus measures to underpin worryingly low inflation. The central bank's tools include targeted loans to commercial banks, more asset purchases and providing more details about how long the ECB plans keep rates at low levels. Mr. Villeroy de Galhau noted that the brief period of negative inflation does not mean the arrival of a more prolonged period of falling prices. Inflation should turn positive again later this year with the stabilization of oil prices. 

Australia
The RBA left the official cash rate unchanged after assessing an effect recent global financial turbulence has had on domestic growth, but kept doors open for further monetary policy easing if economic conditions worsen substantially. The central bank kept the cash rate at record low of 2%. Meanwhile, the Australian economy beat all expectations, growing at the fastest pace in almost two years in the final quarter of 2015, a sign the worst of the global commodity rout may be over. Australia's economy rose 0.6% in the fourth quarter from the July-September period, when the economy grew an upwardly revised 1.1%, outpacing economists' forecast for a 0.4% growth, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. That propelled growth for the whole year to 3%.

Canada
Canada's economy slowed the most among the Group of Seven developed countries in 2015, highlighting the effect of the commodity-price shock on the trade-reliant country and the challenges its policy makers face in supporting growth. Canada's gross domestic product increased 0.8% on annualized basis in the fourth quarter, down from the 2.4% growth rate in the July-September period. The biggest drag on growth was business investment, which dropped 1.7% from the preceding three-month period and declined for the fourth straight quarter.

Switzerland
Switzerland's economy unexpectedly accelerated, while exports showed signs of resilience in 2015, despite a strong Swiss Franc, migrant crisis and adverse external environment undermined the country's performance. The Swiss economy expanded 0.4% in the fourth quarter of 2015, supported by consumption expenditure from private households and the public sector. Quarterly estimates suggest a provisional GDP growth rate of 0.9% for 2015, compared with 1.9% in 2014. 

Back to articles

Actual Topics

Mon, 07 Mar 2016 07:34:12 GMT

US economy creates hefty 242K jobs in February; unemployment rate at 4.9%

The US economy created more jobs than expected in February, while the unemployment rate remained unchanged, highlighting the ongoing improvement in the labour market.

Fri, 04 Mar 2016 07:58:03 GMT

Australia's retail sales rise modestly in January

Australia's retail sales rose in January, but disappointed economists' expectations as consumers pared back on food shopping.

Subscribe to "Fundamental Analysis" feed

Subscribe
To learn more about Dukascopy Bank CFD / Forex trading platform, SWFX and other trading related information,
please call us or make callback request.
For further information regarding potential cooperation,
please call us or make callback request.
To learn more about Dukascopy Bank Binary Options / Forex trading platform, SWFX and other trading related information,
please call us or make callback request.
Chcete-li se dozvědět více o platformě Dukascopy Bank CFD / Forex, SWFX a dalších souvisejících obchodních informacích, prosím, zavolejte nám, nebo vám můžeme zavolat my.
To learn more about Crypto Trading / CFD / Forex trading platform, SWFX and other trading related information,
please call us or make callback request.
To learn more about Business Introducer and other trading related information,
please call us or make callback request.
For further information regarding potential cooperation,
please call us or make callback request.