By the numbers: The global economy this week

Highlights of economic data released last week, from central bank policies to trade and growth trends.

January 25, 2021

Currency

U.S.: The dollar dropped versus other major currencies amid stimulus optimism.

Central bank policy

CANADA: The Bank of Canada held rates steady.

EUROZONE: The European Central Bank decided to maintain its current monetary policy position.

JAPAN: The Bank of Japan decided to maintain its current monetary policy and will continue its quantitative easing program.

Trade

JAPAN: Exports rose 2.0% year over year in December.

Growth

AUSTRALIA: Retail sales fell 4.2% in December compared with November.

CANADA: Wholesale sales increased 0.7% in November.

CANADA: Manufacturing sales declined 0.6% in November, marking the first decline in three months.

CHINA: Retail sales increased 4.6% year over year in December.

EUROZONE: The Flash Composite PMI Output Index declined to 47.5 in January from 49.1 in December.

EUROZONE: Construction production grew 1.4% in November compared with October.

GERMANY: The Flash Composite PMI Output Index declined to 50.8 in January from 52.0 in December.

GERMANY: Producer prices rose 0.8% in December.

JAPAN: Industrial production fell 0.5% in November.

JAPAN: The Flash Composite PMI Output Index declined to 46.7 in January from 48.5 in December.

U.K.: Retail sales increased 0.3% in December compared with November.

U.K.: The Flash Composite PMI Output Index fell to 40.6 in January from 50.4 in December.

U.S.: Housing starts jumped 5.8% in December compared with November.

U.S.: Existing home sales increased 0.7% in December compared with November.

Employment trends

U.S.: Initial jobless claims reached 900,000 in the week ended January 16, 2021.

Inflation/deflation

AUSTRALIA: Inflation expectations fell to 3.4% in January from 3.5% in December.

CANADA: The CPI rose 0.7% year over year in December.

CHINA: GDP grew 6.5% year over year in the fourth quarter.

EUROZONE: Annual inflation remained stable at -0.3% in December.

GERMANY: Consumer prices are expected to decline 0.3% year over year in December.

U.K.: The CPI 12-month inflation rate rose to 0.8% in December from 0.6% in November

Market sentiment

GERMANY: The ZEW Indicator of Economic sentiment rose in January.

U.K.: The CBI Business Optimism Index dropped in the first quarter.