The key points from today’s economic news, brought to you by Guardian Stockbrokers.
UK business barometer advanced in March
In March, the business barometer climbed to 43.00 in the UK. In the previous month, the business barometer had recorded a level of 28.00.
UK consumer confidence remained steady in March
The consumer confidence in the UK remained unchanged at 0.00 in March. Markets were expecting the consumer confidence to drop to a level of -1.00.
Euro-zone economic sentiment indicator dropped in March
In March, the economic sentiment indicator in the Euro-zone eased to 103.00, lower than market expectations of a fall to a level of 103.80. In the previous month, the economic sentiment indicator had registered a revised reading of 103.90.
Euro-zone services sentiment indicator fell unexpectedly in March
The services sentiment indicator eased unexpectedly to 9.60 in March, in the Euro-zone, compared to market expectations of a steady reading. The services sentiment indicator had registered a revised reading of 10.80 in the previous month.
Euro-zone business climate indicator advanced surprisingly in March
In March, the business climate indicator in the Euro-zone advanced unexpectedly to a level of 0.11, compared to market expectations of a fall to a level of 0.08. The business climate indicator had registered a revised reading of 0.09 in the previous month.
Euro-zone industrial confidence index slid in March
In March, the industrial confidence index in the Euro-zone dropped to -4.20, higher than market expectations of a drop to a level of -4.30. In the prior month, the industrial confidence index had registered a revised level of -4.10.
Euro-zone consumer confidence index declined in March
In March, the final consumer confidence index recorded a drop to -9.70 in the Euro-zone, compared to a level of -8.80 in the prior month. Markets were anticipating the consumer confidence index to drop to -9.70. The preliminary figures had also indicated a drop to -9.70.
German HICP surprisingly advanced in March
The flash harmonised consumer price index (HICP) registered an unexpected rise of 0.10% in Germany, in March, compared to a fall of 0.20% in the prior month. Markets were anticipating the HICP to remain flat.
German HICP advanced more than expected in March
The preliminary HICP recorded a rise of 0.80% on a monthly basis in Germany, in March, compared to an advance of 0.40% in the prior month. Markets were expecting the HICP to advance 0.70%.
German CPI advanced more than expected in March
On an annual basis, the flash consumer price index (CPI) advanced 0.30% in Germany, in March, more than market expectations for a rise of 0.10%. The CPI had recorded a flat reading in the prior month.
German CPI rose more than expected in March
In March, on a MoM basis, the preliminary CPI advanced 0.80% in Germany, compared to an advance of 0.40% in the prior month. Markets were anticipating the CPI to rise 0.60%.
Swiss UBS consumption indicator registered a rise in February
In February, UBS consumption indicator recorded a rise to 1.53 in Switzerland. In the prior month, UBS consumption indicator had registered a revised reading of 1.45.
Swiss KOF economic barometer dropped in March
The KOF economic barometer eased to 102.50 in March, in Switzerland, higher than market expectations of a drop to a level of 102.00. In the previous month, the KOF economic barometer had recorded a revised level of 102.60.
Private sector employment in the US recorded a rise in March
In the US, the private sector employment advanced by 200.00 K in March, compared to a revised advance of 205.00 K in the previous month. Markets were anticipating the private sector employment to advance 195.00 K.
US mortgage applications registered a drop in the last week
Mortgage applications slid 1.00% on a weekly basis in the US, in the week ended 25 March 2016. In the prior week, mortgage applications had dropped 3.30%.
Foreign investors remained net sellers of Japanese stocks in the previous week
Foreign investors were net sellers of ¥358.50 billion worth of Japanese stocks in the week ended 25 March 2016, from being net sellers of a revised ¥678.00 billion worth of Japanese stocks in the previous week.
Foreign investors turned net buyers of Japanese bonds in the previous week
Foreign investors turned net buyers of ¥1826.70 billion worth of Japanese bonds in the week ended 25 March 2016, from being net sellers of ¥561.00 billion worth of Japanese bonds in the previous week.
Japanese investors remained net buyers of foreign bonds in the previous week
Japanese investors remained net buyers of ¥1164.10 billion worth of foreign bonds in the week ended 25 March 2016, from being net buyers of a revised ¥2276.90 billion worth of foreign bonds in the previous week.
Japanese investors turned net sellers of foreign stocks in the previous week
Japanese investors turned net sellers of ¥30.00 billion worth of foreign stocks in the week ended 25 March 2016, from being net buyers of a revised ¥301.70 billion worth of foreign stocks in the previous week.
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