The key points from today’s economic news, brought to you by Guardian Stockbrokers.
Number of unemployment benefits claimants in the UK advanced in March
In the UK, number of unemployment benefits claimants registered a rise of 25.50 K in March. Number of unemployment benefits claimants had recorded a revised fall of 6.10 K in the prior month.
UK ILO unemployment rate remained unchanged in the December-February 2017 period
In the December-February 2017 period, the ILO unemployment rate remained steady at 4.70% in the UK, at par with market expectations.
UK claimant count rate climbed in March
The claimant count rate advanced to 2.20% in March, in the UK. In the prior month, the claimant count rate had registered a level of 2.10%.
Employment in the UK climbed in the December-February 2017 period
Employment recorded an increase of 39.00 K in the UK, in the December-February 2017 period, following an increase of 92.00 K in the November-January 2017 period. Market anticipation was for employment to rise 70.00 K.
UK average earnings excluding bonus rose more than expected in the December-February 2017 period
In the December-February 2017 period, on a YoY basis, the average earnings excluding bonus in the UK rose 2.20%, more than market expectations for a rise of 2.10%. The average earnings excluding bonus had recorded a revised rise of 2.40% in the November-January 2017 period.
UK average earnings including bonus rose more than expected in the December-February 2017 period
The average earnings including bonus in the UK recorded a rise of 2.30% on a YoY basis in the December-February 2017 period, higher than market expectations for a rise of 2.20%. The average earnings including bonus had registered a revised similar rise in the November-January 2017 period.
German WPI climbed in March
The wholesale price index (WPI) climbed 4.70% in Germany on a YoY basis, in March. The WPI had climbed 5.00% in the previous month.
German WPI remained unchanged in March
In March, on a monthly basis, the WPI in Germany remained steady. The WPI had risen by a revised 0.50% in the prior month.
Spanish CPI remained steady in March
The final consumer price index (CPI) remained flat on a MoM basis in March, in Spain, compared to a drop of 0.40% in the prior month. The preliminary figures had also indicated a steady reading. Markets were anticipating the CPI to remain unchanged.
Spanish HICP index rose as expected in March
On a MoM basis, the final harmonised consumer price (HICP) index in Spain advanced 1.10% in March, at par with market expectations. The HICP index had fallen 0.30% in the prior month. The preliminary figures had also indicated a rise of 1.10%.
Spanish HICP index rose as expected in March
On a YoY basis, the final HICP index recorded a rise of 2.10% in March, in Spain, in line with market expectations. The HICP index had climbed 3.00% in the prior month. The preliminary figures had also recorded an advance of 2.10%.
Spanish CPI rose as expected in March
The final CPI in Spain recorded a rise of 2.30% in March on a YoY basis, compared to a rise of 3.00% in the previous month. The preliminary figures had also recorded a rise of 2.30%. Markets were expecting the CPI to climb 2.30%.
US import price index advanced more than expected in March
On a YoY basis, in the US, the import price index rose 4.20% in March, compared to a revised rise of 4.80% in the previous month. Market expectation was for the import price index to climb 4.00%.
US export price index climbed in March
In the US, the export price index recorded a rise of 3.60% in March on an annual basis. In the prior month, the export price index had climbed by a revised 3.20%.
Bank of Canada held its key interest rate
The Bank of Canada kept its key interest rate unchanged at 0.50%, in line with market expectations 0.50%.
Japanese average office vacancies in Tokyo rose in March
On a monthly basis, average office vacancies in Tokyo in Japan rose 3.60% in March. Average office vacancies in Tokyo had advanced 3.70% in the prior month.
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