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World economic indicators
Every day, shares, bonds and currencies respond to the latest data releases for key economic indicators. These statistics provide crucial clues about the future of both global economies and financial markets.
We’ve selected the world’s seven most influential countries to provide you with insights about the most important economic releases in three major categories – GDP (output), Prices (inflation) and Jobs (unemployment).
Australia: GDP - GDP
Last updated: 8/12/2011
Actual
2.50%
2.50%
Consensus
1.90%
1.90%
Previous
1.90%
1.90%
Australia: PRICES - CPI
Last updated: 27/04/2012
Actual
1.60%
1.60%
Consensus
2.20%
2.20%
Previous
3.10%
3.10%
Comments
This first quarter annualised headline CPI saw the quarter-on-quarter metric increase by just 0.1%. Moreover, the RBA's preferred core inflation metric - the annualised trimmed mean metric - increased by just 2.2%, yet it posted a 2.6% increase for the fourth quarter. It seems - Fait Accompli - the RBA will reduce the cash rate at its May meeting.
This first quarter annualised headline CPI saw the quarter-on-quarter metric increase by just 0.1%. Moreover, the RBA's preferred core inflation metric - the annualised trimmed mean metric - increased by just 2.2%, yet it posted a 2.6% increase for the fourth quarter. It seems - Fait Accompli - the RBA will reduce the cash rate at its May meeting.
Australia: JOBS - Unemployment
Last updated: 18/04/2012
Actual
5.20%
5.20%
Consensus
5.30%
5.30%
Previous
5.20%
5.20%
Comments
March's employment report saw seven times the number of workers added than forecast by market consensus; 15,800 full-time and 28,200 part-time workers joined the workforce last month.
March's employment report saw seven times the number of workers added than forecast by market consensus; 15,800 full-time and 28,200 part-time workers joined the workforce last month.
China: GDP - GDP
Last updated: 18/04/2011
Actual
8.10%
8.10%
Consensus
8.40%
8.40%
Previous
8.90%
8.90%
Comments
This first quarter GDP post was the weakest annualised reading since Q2 2009. However, at present, calls for a hard landing are overdone as industrial production, retail sales, borrowing and monetray aggregates all strengthened in March from their aggregate January and February readings.
This first quarter GDP post was the weakest annualised reading since Q2 2009. However, at present, calls for a hard landing are overdone as industrial production, retail sales, borrowing and monetray aggregates all strengthened in March from their aggregate January and February readings.
China: PRICES - CPI
Last updated: 18/04/2012
Actual
3.60%
3.60%
Consensus
3.40%
3.40%
Previous
3.20%
3.20%
Comments
March's higher than expected result was essentially due to a pick-up in the volatile food component of this release, which may have been affected by the timing of this year's lunar New Year festivities. Moreover, underlying inflationary pressures remain modest and indeed prices are anticipated to ease gradually as the year progresses.
March's higher than expected result was essentially due to a pick-up in the volatile food component of this release, which may have been affected by the timing of this year's lunar New Year festivities. Moreover, underlying inflationary pressures remain modest and indeed prices are anticipated to ease gradually as the year progresses.
France: GDP - GDP
Last updated: 22/02/2012
Actual
1.40%
1.40%
Consensus
1.10%
1.10%
Previous
1.50%
1.50%
Comments
This annualised fourth quarter metric was flattered by a surprising 0.2% increase in the quarter-on-quarter metric. Market consensus was anticipating a -0.2% quarterly contraction. The drivers for this surprise quarterly increase were corporate investment and exports.
This annualised fourth quarter metric was flattered by a surprising 0.2% increase in the quarter-on-quarter metric. Market consensus was anticipating a -0.2% quarterly contraction. The drivers for this surprise quarterly increase were corporate investment and exports.
France: PRICES - CPI
Last updated: 18/04/2012
Actual
2.60%
2.60%
Consensus
2.30%
2.30%
Previous
2.50%
2.50%
Comments
March's annualised EU Harmonised inflation metric remained close to a 3-year high as President Sarkozy's government increased sales tax rates on some goods and services. Energy prices also climbed to post a 6.5% increase whilst food increased by some 3.7%.
March's annualised EU Harmonised inflation metric remained close to a 3-year high as President Sarkozy's government increased sales tax rates on some goods and services. Energy prices also climbed to post a 6.5% increase whilst food increased by some 3.7%.
France: JOBS - ILO Unemployment Rate
Last updated: 18/04/2012
Actual
9.80%
9.80%
Consensus
n/a
n/a
Previous
9.70%
9.70%
Comments
This fourth quarter ILO metric saw the jobless rate inching higher as the European debt crisis undermined business confidence and economic growth slowed.
This fourth quarter ILO metric saw the jobless rate inching higher as the European debt crisis undermined business confidence and economic growth slowed.
Germany: GDP - GDP
Last updated: 22/02/2012
Actual
1.50%
1.50%
Consensus
1.80%
1.80%
Previous
2.60%
2.60%
Comments
This annualised and not seasonally adjusted fourth quarter result saw the economy contract by a quarterly -0.2%, which was anticipated. Over the year's last quarter, trade and household spending detracted from growth while investment, particulary in construction due to the unusually warmer weather, proved additive.
This annualised and not seasonally adjusted fourth quarter result saw the economy contract by a quarterly -0.2%, which was anticipated. Over the year's last quarter, trade and household spending detracted from growth while investment, particulary in construction due to the unusually warmer weather, proved additive.
Germany: PRICES - CPI
Last updated: 27/04/2012
Actual
2.20%
2.20%
Consensus
2.20%
2.20%
Previous
2.30%
2.30%
Comments
This flash / initial EU harmonised annualised headline CPI for April saw most metrics - food inflation, energy inflation and core services inflation - record gradual declines, with the core goods inflation metric essentially remaining unchanged. Many forecasters, including the ECB, believe inflation will gradually weaken as the year progresses.
This flash / initial EU harmonised annualised headline CPI for April saw most metrics - food inflation, energy inflation and core services inflation - record gradual declines, with the core goods inflation metric essentially remaining unchanged. Many forecasters, including the ECB, believe inflation will gradually weaken as the year progresses.
Germany: JOBS - Unemployment
Last updated: 9/05/2012
Actual
6.80%
6.80%
Consensus
6.70%
6.70%
Previous
6.80%
6.80%
Comments
With the March jobless rate revised up by one tenth to 6.8% - then April's jobless rate was essentially unchanged. However, the amount of folk registered in April increased by some 19,000; although there is a seasonal Easter factor involved here creating some noise - nevertheless, considering what is happening to Europe as a whole, this metric needs careful attention.
With the March jobless rate revised up by one tenth to 6.8% - then April's jobless rate was essentially unchanged. However, the amount of folk registered in April increased by some 19,000; although there is a seasonal Easter factor involved here creating some noise - nevertheless, considering what is happening to Europe as a whole, this metric needs careful attention.
Japan: GDP - GDP
Last updated: 18/04/2012
Actual
-0.70%
-0.70%
Consensus
-0.60%
-0.60%
Previous
-2.30%
-2.30%
Comments
This initial fourth quarter annualised estimate a substantial reversal of quarter three's strong metric. Essentially the post-Fukushima rebound which began in earnest in the third quarter stalled in the year's last quarter as the strong yen and muted global demand due to the Greek situation impacted upon the nascent recovery.
This initial fourth quarter annualised estimate a substantial reversal of quarter three's strong metric. Essentially the post-Fukushima rebound which began in earnest in the third quarter stalled in the year's last quarter as the strong yen and muted global demand due to the Greek situation impacted upon the nascent recovery.
Japan: PRICES - CPI
Last updated: 9/05/2012
Actual
0.50%
0.50%
Consensus
0.40%
0.40%
Previous
0.30%
0.30%
Comments
March's national headline CPI a most welcome surprise for the BoJ as it attempts to increase this headline metric to some 1% in its endeavour to kick-start the domestic economy.
March's national headline CPI a most welcome surprise for the BoJ as it attempts to increase this headline metric to some 1% in its endeavour to kick-start the domestic economy.
Japan: JOBS - Unemployment Rate
Last updated: 9/05/2012
Actual
4.50%
4.50%
Consensus
4.50%
4.50%
Previous
4.50%
4.50%
Comments
This March jobless metric reflecting the continuing recovery from the Fukushima nuclear disaster gains pace.
This March jobless metric reflecting the continuing recovery from the Fukushima nuclear disaster gains pace.
UK: GDP - GDP
Last updated: 27/04/2012
Actual
0.00%
0.00%
Consensus
0.30%
0.30%
Previous
0.50%
0.50%
Comments
This initial first quarter annualised growth estimate saw the quarterly metric decline by -0.2%. There was a substantial amount of disbelief in the City after this result - most forcasters believed that strong-ish survey data (PMIs and CBIs) pointed to a slight uptick in the first quarter's growth profile. Although this flash or intial release covers only 40% of data capture, the UK has now double-dipped into recession for the first time since 1975.
This initial first quarter annualised growth estimate saw the quarterly metric decline by -0.2%. There was a substantial amount of disbelief in the City after this result - most forcasters believed that strong-ish survey data (PMIs and CBIs) pointed to a slight uptick in the first quarter's growth profile. Although this flash or intial release covers only 40% of data capture, the UK has now double-dipped into recession for the first time since 1975.
UK: PRICES - CPI
Last updated: 18/04/2012
Actual
3.50%
3.50%
Consensus
3.40%
3.40%
Previous
3.40%
3.40%
Comments
March's annualised headline CPI saw the first increase since it peaked at some 5.2% last September. Rising food prices drove the increase while the annualised core metric also increased to 2.5% from 2.4%. Going forwards, with the government's austerity measures yet to fully bite and with the jobless rate forecast to increase, inflation should resume its downwards path as this year unfolds.
March's annualised headline CPI saw the first increase since it peaked at some 5.2% last September. Rising food prices drove the increase while the annualised core metric also increased to 2.5% from 2.4%. Going forwards, with the government's austerity measures yet to fully bite and with the jobless rate forecast to increase, inflation should resume its downwards path as this year unfolds.
UK: JOBS - ILO Unemployment Rate
Last updated: 9/05/2012
Actual
8.30%
8.30%
Consensus
8.40%
8.40%
Previous
8.40%
8.40%
Comments
For the three months ending through February, this ILO jobless metric's surprise dip a most welcome fillip for the incumbent coalition government. However, with the Chancellor's austerity cuts yet to really bite - one wonders just how much longer the number of unemployed folk can remain below the politically unacceptable 3 million jobless mark.
For the three months ending through February, this ILO jobless metric's surprise dip a most welcome fillip for the incumbent coalition government. However, with the Chancellor's austerity cuts yet to really bite - one wonders just how much longer the number of unemployed folk can remain below the politically unacceptable 3 million jobless mark.
US: GDP - GDP
Last updated: 9/05/2012
Actual
2.20%
2.20%
Consensus
2.50%
2.50%
Previous
3.00%
3.00%
Comments
This advanced - there are two more to come - first quarter GDP report came up shy of expectations as the biggest gain in consumer spending for over one year failed to overcome a diminished contribution from the business inventory component. However, of note, the biggest gain in homebuilding for over two years coupled with robust car purchases nevertheless proved additive.
This advanced - there are two more to come - first quarter GDP report came up shy of expectations as the biggest gain in consumer spending for over one year failed to overcome a diminished contribution from the business inventory component. However, of note, the biggest gain in homebuilding for over two years coupled with robust car purchases nevertheless proved additive.
US: PRICES - CPI
Last updated: 18/04/2012
Actual
2.70%
2.70%
Consensus
2.90%
2.90%
Previous
2.90%
2.90%
Comments
This March annualised gain was the most muted headline release for some 12-months. As the current energy price spike gradually abates, barring more sabre rattling in the Middle East, inflation should gradually recede going forwards. A 1.3% increase in the cost of used cars, the largest since December 2009 when the Cash for Clunkers scheme affected prices, contributed to the core measure's increase but according to a recent speech by Janet Yellen, the Federal Reserve Vice Chairman, inflation should evolve this year to be either at or below their prefered 2.0% target.
This March annualised gain was the most muted headline release for some 12-months. As the current energy price spike gradually abates, barring more sabre rattling in the Middle East, inflation should gradually recede going forwards. A 1.3% increase in the cost of used cars, the largest since December 2009 when the Cash for Clunkers scheme affected prices, contributed to the core measure's increase but according to a recent speech by Janet Yellen, the Federal Reserve Vice Chairman, inflation should evolve this year to be either at or below their prefered 2.0% target.
US: JOBS - Unemployment Rate
Last updated: 9/05/2012
Actual
8.10%
8.10%
Consensus
8.20%
8.20%
Previous
8.20%
8.20%
Comments
Although April's unemployment metric did indeed move closer to the magical 8% mark - this was essentially entirely due to folk giving up looking for work. In a more normal environment the jobles rate would be over 10% A truer picture of the American employment market is reflected in the very weak non-farm payrolls metric which recorded a monthly incease of just 115,000.
Although April's unemployment metric did indeed move closer to the magical 8% mark - this was essentially entirely due to folk giving up looking for work. In a more normal environment the jobles rate would be over 10% A truer picture of the American employment market is reflected in the very weak non-farm payrolls metric which recorded a monthly incease of just 115,000.
The quarter 3 annualised increase was driven by resilient consumer spending and the seemingly never ending mining boom. The patchwork quilt profile of the economy is amply illustrated by strong growth in Qld and WA, while the southern states posted subdued activity.