International News
- US non-farm payrolls advanced 157,000 in July after an upwardly revised 248,000 increase in June; the unemployment rate edged down to 3.9% in July from 4% in June.
- US initial claims for state unemployment benefits increased 1,000 to a seasonally adjusted 218,000 for the week ended July 28.
- US initial claims for state unemployment benefits increased 9,000 to a seasonally adjusted 217,000 for the week ended July 21.
- US Institute of Supply Management's services index fell to 55.7% in July 59.1% in June.
- US personal income rose by 0.3% in July after climbing by 0.4% in June, while personal spending advanced by 0.4% in July, matching the increase in the previous month.
- US import prices were flat in July following an upwardly revised 0.1% drop in June; export prices fell 0.5% in July after rising 0.2% in June.
- Bank of England raises interest rate to 0.75% from 0.50%, but signals that it is in no hurry to raise them further with an uncertain Brexit on the horizon. The central bank also says inflation in two years' time is likely to be 2.09%, above the 2% target.
- Eurozone GDP expanded 2.2% annually in Q2 compared to 2.5% in the previous quarter.
- European Central Bank (ECB) keeps key interest rates at a record low of 0% for its main borrowing rate and -0.4% for banks that park cash at the ECB; also reaffirms that it will end its 2.6 trillion euros stimulus programme this year.
- Japan’s Markit/ Nikkei services PMI fell to 51.3 in July from 51.4 in June, while composite PMI fell to 51.8 in July from 52.1 in June.
- Chinese President Xi Jinping says BRICS nations must reject protectionism “outright” and promote trade and investment liberalization.
- PepsiCo Inc. plans to buy SodaStream International Ltd. for $3.2 bn.
- Tyson Foods to buy Keystone Foods for $2.16 bn in cash.
Last Updated: 15th August 2018
Next Update On: 31st August 2018
Update Frequency: Once Every Fortnight
