By the numbers: The global economy this week
Highlights of economic data released last week, from central bank policies to trade and growth trends.
December 16, 2019
Currency
U.K.: The pound soared versus other currencies after a decisive election.
U.S.: The dollar fell versus other major currencies, hitting a four-month low, as the Federal Reserve held rates steady.
Central bank policy
Trade
U.K.: The trade deficit widened in the three months to October.
Growth
CHINA: The Producer Price Index fell 1.4% year over year in November.
EUROZONE: Industrial production fell 0.5% in October.
GERMANY: Wholesale prices fell 2.5% year over year in November.
U.K.: Industrial output decreased 0.7% in the three months to October.
U.K.: The Index of Services increased by 0.2% in the three months to October.
U.K.: Construction output decreased by 0.3% in the three months to October.
U.K.: The GDP was flat in the three months to October.
U.S.: The Producer Price Index for final demand was unchanged in November.
Employment trends
GERMANY: Labor costs increased 3.1% year over year in the third quarter.
U.S.: Initial jobless claims rose by 49,000 to 252,000 in the week ended December 7, 2019.
Inflation/deflation
CHINA: The CPI increased 4.5% year over year in November.
GERMANY: The CPI climbed 1.1% year over year in November.
U.S.: The CPI rose 0.3% and core CPI increased 0.2% in November.
Market sentiment
AUSTRALIA: The NAB Business Confidence Index fell in November.
EUROZONE: The Sentix Investor Confidence Index rose to a positive level in December.
GERMANY: The ZEW Indicator of Economic Sentiment advanced in December.
U.S.: The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index increased in November.