The key points from today’s economic news, brought to you by Guardian Stockbrokers.
Euro-zone current account surplus fell in January
The Euro-zone has registered the non-seasonally adjusted current account surplus of €2.50 billion in January, following a revised current account surplus of €46.90 billion in the previous month.
Euro-zone current account surplus narrowed in January
The seasonally adjusted current account surplus in the Euro-zone dropped to €24.10 billion in January, compared to a revised current account surplus of €30.80 billion in the previous month.
Italy posted current account deficit in January
Current account deficit in Italy recorded a reading of €1.91 billion in January, compared to a current account surplus of €5.54 billion in the prior month.
US housing price index remained unchanged in January
The housing price index remained flat on a monthly basis in January, in the US, less than market expectations for a rise of 0.40%. The housing price index had recorded a rise of 0.40% in the prior month.
US mortgage applications dropped in the last week
Mortgage applications fell 2.70% on a weekly basis in the US, in the week ended 17 March 2017. Mortgage applications had recorded a rise of 3.10% in the previous week.
US existing home sales eased in February
Existing home sales in the US dropped 3.70%, on monthly basis, to a level of 5.48 million in February, compared to market expectations of 5.55 million. Existing home sales had registered a level of 5.69 million in the previous month.
Japanese Tokyo department store sales slid in February
Tokyo department store sales in Japan dropped 3.10% on a YoY basis, in February. Tokyo department store sales had recorded a drop of 1.50% in the prior month.
Japanese supermarket sales dropped in February
On an annual basis, supermarket sales in Japan eased 3.30% in February. Supermarket sales had recorded a drop of 1.60% in the previous month.
Japanese nationwide department store sales fell in February
Nationwide department store sales fell 1.70% on a YoY basis in Japan, in February. In the previous month, nationwide department store sales had fallen 1.20%.
Japanese all industry activity index unexpectedly rose in January
On a MoM basis, in Japan, the all industry activity index registered an unexpected rise of 0.10% in January, compared to a revised drop of 0.20% in the prior month. Markets were anticipating the all industry activity index to record a flat reading.
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