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 19, 2020
Currency
U.S.: The dollar rose versus other major currencies amid optimism about future economic stimulus.
Central bank policy
U.S.: Most districts reported that economic activity rose modestly in December, according to the Federal Open Market Committee’s Beige Book report.
Trade
CHINA: Exports surged 18.1% year over year in December, setting a record.
EUROZONE: The euro area recorded a trade surplus in November.
U.S.: Import prices rose 0.9% and export prices increased 1.1% in December.
Growth
AUSTRALIA: Retail trade grew 7.1% in November compared with October.
CHINA: The Producer Price Index dropped 0.4% year over year in December.
EUROZONE: Industrial production increased 2.5% in November compared with October.
GERMANY: Wholesale prices grew 0.6% in December compared with November.
GERMANY: GDP declined 5.0% in 2020 compared with the prior year.
JAPAN: Producer prices declined 2.2% year over year in November.
U.K.: The Index of Services fell 3.4% in November compared with October.
U.K.: Industrial output declined 0.1% in November compared with October.
U.K.: GDP fell by 2.6% in November.
U.K.: Construction output grew 1.9% in November compared with October.
U.S.: Retail sales declined 0.7% in December.
U.S.: The Producer Price Index for final demand rose 0.3% in December.
Employment trends
U.S.: Initial jobless claims reached 965,000 in the week ended January 9, 2021.
Inflation/deflation
CHINA: The CPI rose 0.2% year over year in December.
U.S.: Inflation expectations increased to 3.0% in December from 2.96% in November.
U.S.: The CPI rose 0.4% and core CPI increased 0.1% in December.
Market sentiment
U.S.: Small business optimism declined to a below average level in December.
U.S.: The IBD/TIPP Economic Optimism Index rose in January to a level above neutral for the first time since October.
U.S.: The University of Michigan’s index of consumer sentiment dropped to 79.2 in January from 80.7 in December.