Confidence among Swiss households remained unchanged in the third quarter of 2012, the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) reported Tuesday. The Swiss SECO Consumer Climate, which represents a majority of overall economic activity, stood at -17 in the third quarter, beating analysts' expectations of a decline to -21 points. However, the reading remains below a 0 line, which separates
U.K. manufacturing sector gained less than expected in September, as machinery and chemical production declined, a sign economic recovery is losing momentum, the U.K. Office for National Statistics reported Tuesday. Manufacturing production in the U.K. expanded 0.1%, below the 0.4% which had been highly estimated by analysts. At the same time, total industrial output plunged 1.7%, hit by a record
U.S. stocks were trading in the positive territory for a second consecutive day on Tuesday, as Americans headed to polls to elect the next president of the world's biggest economy, while deepening concerns over Greece's future in the Eurozone had little effect.
Eurostat reported on Tuesday that producer price inflation in the eurozone held still in September, as the cost of energy fell. The producer price index came in line with analysts' expectations, adding 2.7% in September compared to the reading in the previous month. On a monthly basis, PPI added 0.2%, down from 0.9% in the prior month. The largest increase
Japanese largest manufacturer, Toyota Motor Corp. lifted its profit forecast for this fiscal year, as earnings soared to a four-year high of 143.7 billion yen ($1.8 billion) in the third quarter, boosted by sales in North America and Southeast Asia. Despite a dramatic decline in sales in China, amid anti-Japanese sentiment, the company raised its net profit projection by 2.6%
The amount of cash Swiss commercial banks hold with nation's central bank fell slightly in the week to November 2, a sign investors are getting more anxious over Eurozone's financial woes. Sight deposits of domestic banks tumbled to 290.679 billion francs last week, down from 293.309 billion a week earlier. As a large part of the liquidity in the banking
Activity in the U.K. service sector grew at its slowest pace since December 2010, diminishing hopes the economy is recovering. Markit/CIPS Services Purchasing Managers Index dropped to 50.6 in October, down from a reading of 52.2 in the previous month. As both manufacturing and service sectors decelerated in October, a sign nation's economy may shrink in the last quarter of
The U.S. non-manufacturing sector kept growing in October, however, at a slower pace, due to a weaker domestic demand. The Institute for Supply Management said its leading indicator of economic health eased to 54.2 last month, down from 55.1 in September. At the same time, the reading remains above the 50 line that separates growth from tension. At the same
The number of unemployed people in Spain rose for a third month in a row in October amid deepening recession in the country. According to the Spain's Labor Ministry, 4.8 million Spaniards are now out of work, as the number of unemployed people jumped by a seasonally adjusted 128,200 in October, beating analysts' expectations for an increase of 90,500. At
Japanese monetary base rose more than expected last month, a sign actions made by the Bank of Japan increased the amount of currency in circulation.
Swiss stocks closed higher on Friday, amid better-than-expected U.S. job data, despite disappointing manufacturing data from the eurozone.
Output in the U.K. construction sector rose unexpectedly last month, but new work fell for the fifth month in a row, the Markit/CIPS said Friday.
The world's biggest economy added 171,000 jobs in October, however, overall unemployment rate rose last month.
Eurozone's manufacturing sector contracted for the 15th consecutive month in October, adding to worries that region's economy may continue deterioration in the last quarter of this year.
Manufacturing activity in the U.K. shrank for the sixth month in a row in October, as the number of new orders fell, while costs rose at a faster pace.
Japanese government claimed its readiness to compromise with the opposition, in order to avoid the recession.
Switzerland's manufacturing activity contracted for the seventh consecutive month in October, but at a slower pace, due to weak domestic demand.
The number of people who applied for U.S. jobless benefits fell more than expected in the week ended October 27, a sign the labor market is making limited progress, the U.S. Department of Labor said Thursday.
Greece economy is expected to shrink by 4.5% in 2013, while the government debt is likely to soar to 189% of nation's gross domestic product.
Business activity in the U.S. Midwest shrank for the second consecutive month in October, a sign the recovery in manufacturing sector is losing steam.
Japanese manufacturing activity contracted at its fastest pace in 18 months in October, due to a decline in exports and weak domestic demand.
The Swiss National Bank recorded a hefty profit in the first three quarters of 2012, boosted by a gain in its vast Forex holdings.
U.K. consumer confidence tumbled to its lowest level in six months, suggesting the economy may find it hard to grow in the last quarter, despite the end of the recession.
Eurozone unemployment rate soared to a fresh high in September, a sign region's debt crisis is deepening.