The U.S. dollar was quite firm against its rivals on Friday thanks to its safe-haven appeal amid worries about rising coronavirus cases and stricter lockdown restrictions in several countries.
Business inventories in the U.S. increased in line with economist estimates in the month of November, according to a report released by the Commerce Department on Friday. The report said business inventories rose by 0.5 percent in November after climbing by an upwardly revised 0.8 percent in October.
Preliminary data released by the University of Michigan on Friday showed a modest deterioration in U.S. consumer sentiment in the month of January. The report said the consumer sentiment index dipped to 79.2 in January after jumping to 80.7 in December. Economists had expected the index to edge down to 80.0.
The Federal Reserve released a report on Friday showing U.S. industrial production jumped by much more than expected in the month of December. The Fed said industrial production surged up by 1.6 percent in December after climbing by an upwardly revised 0.5 percent in November.
Activity in the New York manufacturing sector unexpectedly grew at a slower pace in the month of January, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York revealed in a report released on Friday.
A report released by the Labor Department on Friday showed U.S. producer prices increased by slightly less than expected in the month of December. The Labor Department said its producer price index for final demand rose by 0.3 percent in December after inching up by 0.1 percent in November.
Retail sales in the U.S. continued to decline in the month of December, according to a report released by the Commerce Department on Friday. The Commerce Department said retail sales fell by 0.7 percent in December after tumbling by a revised 1.4 percent in November.
The UK economy contracted less than expected in November despite a second nationwide lockdown, data released by the Office for National Statistics revealed Friday. Ending six months of growth, gross domestic product shrank 2.6 percent on month in November but slower than the 5.7 percent fall economists' had forecast. The decline reversed a 0.6 percent rise posted in October.
Monthly GDP, industrial production and foreign trade figures from the UK are due on Friday, headlining a light day for the European economic news. At 2.00 am ET, the Office for National Statistics releases UK GDP, industrial and construction output and external trade data. The economy is forecast to contract 5.7 percent on month in November, in contrast to a 0.4 percent rise in October.
Food prices in New Zealand jumped 2.9 percent on year in December, Statistics New Zealand said on Friday - accelerating from 2.6 percent in November.
Individually, fruit and vegetable prices increased 8.9 percent on year; meat, poultry, and fish prices decreased 0.7 percent; grocery food prices increased...
After exhibiting some weakness in the Asian session, the U.S. dollar rebounded smartly Thursday morning, but fell again and stayed weak thereafter as Fed Chair Jerome Powell said the bank will not hike interest rates anytime soon.
European Central Bank policymakers were concerned that the resurgence in the coronavirus pandemic that has led to restoration of lockdown in several countries could prolong the economic crisis, minutes of the latest policy session showed on Thursday.
"Members considered that the impact of positive...
The euro fell against its major opponents in the European session on Thursday, after minutes from the European Central Bank's December meeting showed that policymakers expressed concerns over the recent appreciation of the domestic currency that could have an adverse impact on the inflation outlook.
The...
A report released by the Labor Department on Thursday showed U.S. import and export prices both increased by more than expected in the month of December. The Labor Department said import prices climbed by 0.9 percent in December after edging up by a revised 0.2 percent in November.
First-time claims for U.S. unemployment benefits climbed by much more than expected in the week ended January 9th, according to a report released by the Labor Department on Thursday. The report said initial jobless claims rose to 965,000, an increase of 181,000 from the previous week's revised level of 784,000.