Economic News

Commodity markets rebounded this week following a sharp sell-off in the previous week and a very nervous start on Monday as volatility swept across energy and metal markets. // The wild price gyrations led many investors to sit on the sidelines, with brokers reporting lower volumes ahead of the long weekend holiday in the US and the UK, home of the world’s largest commodity markets. Oil prices moved back above $70 a barrel as traders turned their attention to the upcoming start of the hurrican ...

By Christopher Swann in WashingtonPublished: May 26 2006 17:59 | Last updated: May 26 2006 17:59Consumer spending in the US was almost flat in real terms last month, adding to evidence that high fuel prices and a cooling housing market may be starting to take their toll on confidence. // After a 0.5 per cent rise in prices, real consumption after inflation rose by just 0.1 per cent in April. In addition, the gain for March was revised down from 0.2 to 0.1 per cent. “People are doing everything ...

NEW YORK (Dow Jones) -- In the currency world, the dollar is often referred to as "invincible" or a "flight to quality" instrument. Don't bet on it. A country saddled with debt, ongoing problems with global diplomacy and an economy almost solely based on credit -- and the dependence on the ability to print more money at any time -- hardly exhibits the traits of a "flight to quality" instrument. ...

WASHINGTON (Dow Jones) -- Rising prices offset the gains in personal incomes in April, the Commerce Department said Friday. Personal incomes rose 0.5% in the month, but consumer prices also rose 0.5%. Real disposable incomes (inflation-adjusted and after-tax) fell 0.1%. Real per-capita incomes fell 0.2%. Consumer spending increased 0.6% in nominal terms. In real, inflation-adjusted terms, ...

NEW YORK (Dow Jones) - Treasury prices moved higher Friday morning, pressuring some yields, after a University of Michigan survey reportedly showed a sharp decline in consumer sentiment in May from April, signaling a possible economic slowdown ahead. Earlier prices fell on data showing that small gains in personal income last month were eaten up by a commensurate increase in consumer inflation. ...

US consumer spending in April grew at its fastest rate for three months as US workers brought home more money. Spending jumped 0.6% in April, its best performance since a 0.8% rise in January, the Commerce Department said. A 0.5% increase in incomes - led by a 0.9% rise in wages, the biggest seen in a year - helped fuel the consumer rush. Meanwhile core prices - which exclude volatile energy and food prices - rose 0.2% in April, pushing core annual inflation up to 2.1% from 2% in March. Over ...

Alex Brummer, Daily Mail26 May 2006 THE Pensions White Paper is a huge disappointment. Far from providing a blueprint for the retirement savings of future generations it fudges many of the most difficult questions. The only thing which emerges with any certainty is that everyone will have to work longer and harder to enjoy a comfortable old age. OTHER STORIES Work till you're 68 for  ...

Daily Mail26 May 2006 THE prospect of an imminent UK rate hike receded after a report showed consumers reined in spending during the first three months of the year and overall economic growth failed to accelerate. SHOP SHOCK: Appetite for consumer goods is slowing, according to the latest figures WANT TO KNOW MORE? TABLES: Economic data TABLES: Best savings rates TABLES: Best mortgage rates TABLES: Best credit card rates TABLES: Best loans rates OTHER STORIES Robot ta ...

Japanese consumer prices were higher in April than a year ago, the sixth month in a row they have risen, lifting hopes that deflation has been shaken off. Government figures showed core consumer prices, which do not include fresh food costs, rising 0.5% from a year earlier. The main drivers of price inflation were energy and raw material costs. Many analysts are now forecasting that the pick up in price growth will prompt the Bank of Japan to start raising interest rates over the summer mont ...

Japanese stocks rose sharply on Friday morning following recent weeks of volatility. The market gained because of easing fears about inflation in the US but some of the chunkiest rises were from domestically-focused sectors. The Nikkei 225 was up 1.3 per cent to 15,893.29 by midday. The Topix rose 1.4 per cent to 1,607.51. // Toyota, Japan’s biggest carmaker and one of the country’s biggest expor ...