Consumer prices in the U.S. remained stable in line with economists predictions in the last month of 2012 as food prices and energy costs increased, the Labor Department reported on Wednesday. Seasonally adjusted consumer price index recorded 0.3% in December, while costs rose 1.7% in 2012 following a 3% gain the year before. The core index excluding food and energy costs
Annual consumer price index in the 17-nation bloc remained unchanged at 2.2 % in December meeting the economists estimates, while the monthly inflation recorded 0.4% in the same month, the statistical office of the European Union reported on Wednesday. Inflation in all 27 states of the European Union was 2.3% following a 2.4% figure the prior month, while the monthly
Retail sales in the world's largest economy rose more than initially was expected, as Americans were not worried about the threat of higher taxes anymore and increased their spending.
Japanese machine orders dropped in the last month of 2012, suggesting investors are getting more anxious over the future economic performance, the Japan Machine Tool Builders' Association said.
Swiss chalets are continuing to be popular among investors and are still attracting foreign buyers, however, a new law can break this tendency.
The inflation rate in the U.K. remained unchanged around its highest rate since May in December, as increases in gas and electricity bills pushed consumer prices above the Bank of England's target.
Europe's largest economy slowed down sharply in 2012, proving that it was hit by the Eurozone sovereign debt crisis and weak global growth, which damped exports and company investment.
U.S. retail sales grew in line with the economists estimates in the last month of 2012 as the season of holiday shopping offset the negative mood from the fiscal cliff discussion at the end of the year, the Commerce Department reported on Tuesday. The report showed a 0.2% gain in retail sales in December following a November's increase of 0.3%,
Inflation in the U.K. stayed unchanged at the level of 2.7% for the third successive month in December, above the 2% inflation target of the Bank of England from 2009, suggesting the BoE not to start another round of stimulus program. The biggest impact on the inflation had prices of utilities rising 3.9% on the year, whereas fuel costs declined 0.2%."It's a
German annual inflation grew less than projected in the last month of 2012 as the harmonized index of consumer prices accelerated by 2% compared to prior expectations of 2.1% increase, the Federal Statistical Office reported on Tuesday. Monthly change of the harmonized index of consumer prices was 0.9% compared to November, less than forecast of 1% climb."Despite the difficult environment,
The Japanese government is widely expected to increase income taxes that should add to the government's revenue, but is also likely to anger citizens opposed to the nation's austerity measures.
The amount of cash Swiss commercial banks held with nation's central bank rose slightly in the week to January 11, a sign that investors are getting less anxious over Eurozone's financial woes.
Confidence among the U.K. companies deteriorated even further in December, suggesting the economy may contract in the coming months after emerging from a recession in the third quarter, according to BDO LLP.
The world's largest economy is expected to expand by 2.5% this year, and post a 3.5% growth in 2014, top Fed official Charles Evans said on Monday.
The industrial output in the Eurozone shrank again in November, however, at a slower pace than in the previous month, indicating that the sector is still struggling to gain the momentum.
The new Japanese government led by Shinzo Abe has approved another stimulus package to drive an economy from a recession.
Consumer prices in Switzerland fell more than expected last month, due to the lower costs for medicine, package trips, oil, and clothing.
Manufacturing output in the U.K. contracted unexpectedly in November, while the industrial output rose less than initially was expected, indicating the economy is likely to shrink in the final quarter of 2012.
The trade deficit in the world's largest economy widened unexpectedly in November, as nation's retailers stocked up on imported goods for the holidays, while demand for foreign automobiles rebounded following a super storm Sandy.
France's current account deficit remained unchanged in November from the previous month, as the goods deficit and services surplus both fell slightly, the Bank of France reported on Friday.
Industrial output of the British economy rose below economists expectation by 0.3% in November, despite growing gas and oil extraction on the largest British North Sea field, which underline the fact the U.K. economy contracted in the Q4. Manufacturing production decreased 0.3% in the same month compared to prior expectation of 0.5% gain, following a 1.3% fall recorded in October. "It's a disappointing set of data. We
Japanese both leading and coincident indices dropped in November, adding to fear the economy will not emerge from its recession in the final quarter of 2012.
The world's biggest watchmaker, Swatch Group posted record sales in 2012, due to the strong demand from Asia and tourists, who bought timepieces from Swatch brands like Omega, Longines and Tissot in Europe.
The Bank of England decided not to extend its quantitative easing stimulus programme and left the benchmark interest rate unchanged, despite disappointing news on the U.K. economy in recent days.