ECB Lane Speech

In the Euro Area, benchmark interest rate is set by the Governing Council of the European Central Bank. The primary objective of the ECB’s monetary policy is to maintain price stability which is to keep inflation below, but close to 2 percent over the medium term. In times of prolonged low inflation and low interest rates, ECB may also adopt non-standard monetary policy measures, such as asset purchase programmes. The official interest rate is the Main refinancing operations rate.

Core PCE Price Index MoM

0.2%

Personal Income MoM

0.4%

Personal Income refers to the income that persons receive in return for their provision of labor, land, and capital used in current production, plus current transfer receipts less contributions for government social insurance.

Core PCE Price Index YoY

2.9%

In the United States, the Core Personal Consumption Expenditure Price Index provides a measure of the prices paid by people for domestic purchases of goods and services, excluding the prices of food and energy. The core PCE is the Fed's preferred inflation measure. The central bank has a 2 percent target.

Personal Spending MoM

0.6%

Personal consumption expenditures (PCE) is the primary measure of consumer spending on goods and services in the U.S. economy. 1 It accounts for about two-thirds of domestic final spending, and thus it is the primary engine that drives future economic growth. PCE shows how much of the income earned by households is being spent on current consumption as opposed to how much is being saved for future consumption. PCE also provides a comprehensive measure of types of goods and services that are purchased by households. Thus, for example, it shows the portion of spending that is accounted for by discretionary items, such as motor vehicles, or the adjustments that consumers make to changes in prices, such as a sharp run-up in gasoline prices.

PCE Price Index YoY

2.7%

In the United States, the Personal Consumption Expenditure Price Index provides a measure of the prices paid for domestic purchases of goods and services. While the Consumer Price Index assumes a fixed basket of goods and uses expenditure weights that do not change over time for several years, the Personal Consumption Expenditure Price Index uses a chain index and resorts on expenditure data from the current period and the preceding period (known as Fisher Price Index).

PCE Price Index MoM

0.3%

In the United States, the Personal Consumption Expenditure Price Index provides a measure of the prices paid for domestic purchases of goods and services. While the Consumer Price Index assumes a fixed basket of goods and uses expenditure weights that do not change over time for several years, the Personal Consumption Expenditure Price Index uses a chain index and resorts on expenditure data from the current period and the preceding period (known as Fisher Price Index).

Michigan Consumer Sentiment Prel

51

The Index of Consumer Expectations focuses on three areas: how consumers view prospects for their own financial situation, how they view prospects for the general economy over the near term, and their view of prospects for the economy over the long term. Each monthly survey contains approximately 50 core questions, each of which tracks a different aspect of consumer attitudes and expectations. The samples for the Surveys of Consumers are statistically designed to be representative of all American households, excluding those in Alaska and Hawaii. Each month, a minimum of 500 interviews are conducted by telephone.

Factory Orders MoM

0.2%

Factory orders report is compiled from results of "Manufacturers’ Shipments, Inventories, and Orders (M3) survey" and shows the value of new factory orders for both durable (50% of total orders) and non-durable goods. The survey is usually released a week after durable goods orders report. .

Michigan Current Conditions Prel

51.1

The Index of Consumer Expectations focuses on three areas: how consumers view prospects for their own financial situation, how they view prospects for the general economy over the near term, and their view of prospects for the economy over the long term. Each monthly survey contains approximately 50 core questions, each of which tracks a different aspect of consumer attitudes and expectations. The samples for the Surveys of Consumers are statistically designed to be representative of all American households, excluding those in Alaska and Hawaii. Each month, a minimum of 500 interviews are conducted by telephone.

Michigan Consumer Expectations Prel

51

The Index of Consumer Expectations focuses on three areas: how consumers view prospects for their own financial situation, how they view prospects for the general economy over the near term, and their view of prospects for the economy over the long term. Each monthly survey contains approximately 50 core questions, each of which tracks a different aspect of consumer attitudes and expectations. The samples for the Surveys of Consumers are statistically designed to be representative of all American households, excluding those in Alaska and Hawaii. Each month, a minimum of 500 interviews are conducted by telephone.

Michigan Inflation Expectations Prel

4.5%

The Index of Consumer Expectations focuses on three areas: how consumers view prospects for their own financial situation, how they view prospects for the general economy over the near term, and their view of prospects for the economy over the long term. Each monthly survey contains approximately 50 core questions, each of which tracks a different aspect of consumer attitudes and expectations. The samples for the Surveys of Consumers are statistically designed to be representative of all American households, excluding those in Alaska and Hawaii. Each month, a minimum of 500 interviews are conducted by telephone.

Michigan 5 Year Inflation Expectations Prel

3.4%

The Index of Consumer Expectations focuses on three areas: how consumers view prospects for their own financial situation, how they view prospects for the general economy over the near term, and their view of prospects for the economy over the long term. Each monthly survey contains approximately 50 core questions, each of which tracks a different aspect of consumer attitudes and expectations. The samples for the Surveys of Consumers are statistically designed to be representative of all American households, excluding those in Alaska and Hawaii. Each month, a minimum of 500 interviews are conducted by telephone.

Factory Orders ex Transportation

0.2%

Factory orders report is compiled from results of "Manufacturers’ Shipments, Inventories, and Orders (M3) survey" and shows the value of new factory orders for both durable (50% of total orders) and non-durable goods. The survey is usually released a week after durable goods orders report. Factory orders excluding transportation account for approximately 84 percent of total orders.

Treasury Cash Balance

-195879000000

In Turkey, treasury cash realizations indicate the cash inflows to and outflows from the Treasury’s bank accounts within the scope of the transactions of general budget institutions. Cash Balance is calculated as the sum of taxes, non-tax revenues and privatization and funds income minus the expenditures (both interest and non-interest expenditures).

Used Car Prices MoM

-2%

The Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index is a measure of used vehicle prices in the US which fall into one of the 20 market classes (i.e., excludes heavy trucks, motorcycles, etc). Manheim applies statistical analysis to its database of more than 5 million used vehicle transactions annually. The per-mile adjustment is based on a simple linear regression for price and miles for each market class based on data for the current month The Index is weighted based on a 24-month rolling average of past sales by market class.

Used Car Prices YoY

0%

The Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index is a measure of used vehicle prices in the US which fall into one of the 20 market classes (i.e., excludes heavy trucks, motorcycles, etc). Manheim applies statistical analysis to its database of more than 5 million used vehicle transactions annually. The per-mile adjustment is based on a simple linear regression for price and miles for each market class based on data for the current month The Index is weighted based on a 24-month rolling average of past sales by market class.

Employment Change

66600

In Canada, employment change refers to the change in the number of persons who work for pay or profit, or perform unpaid family work. Estimates include both full-time and part-time employment.

Unemployment Rate

6.9%

In Canada, the unemployment rate measures the number of people actively looking for a job as a percentage of the labour force.

Full Time Employment Chg

-18500

In Canada, full-time employment consists of persons who usually work 30 hours or more per week at their main or only job.

Labor Participation Rate

65.3%

The labour force participation rates is the number of persons who are employed and unemployed but looking for a job divided by the total working-age population.

Average Hourly Wages YoY

4%

Average Hourly Wages of Permanent Employees in Canada refers to the usual wages or salary of permanent employees at their main job. Respondents are asked to report their wage/salary before taxes and other deductions, and include tips and commissions. Weekly and hourly wages/salary are calculated in conjunction with usual paid work hours per week.

Part Time Employment Chg

85100

In Canada, part-time employment consists of persons who usually work less than 30 hours per week at their main or only job.

Foreign Exchange Reserves

264000000000

In Poland, Foreign Exchange Reserves are the foreign assets held or controlled by the country central bank. The reserves are made of gold or a specific currency. They can also be special drawing rights and marketable securities denominated in foreign currencies like treasury bills, government bonds, corporate bonds and equities and foreign currency loans.

Foreign Exchange Reserves

725800000000

In Russia, Foreign Exchange Reserves are the foreign assets held or controlled by the country central bank. The reserves are made of gold or a specific currency. They can also be special drawing rights and marketable securities denominated in foreign currencies like treasury bills, government bonds, corporate bonds and equities and foreign currency loans. After the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Western countries have frozen about USD 300 billion of Russian reserves. Despite the prohibition of using assets, the central bank includes frozen assets in its data.

PPI MoM

-0.25%

PPI YoY

-0.4%

Producer prices change refers to year over year change in price of goods and services sold by manufacturers and producers in the wholesale market during a given period.

Consumer Confidence

45.8

In Mexico, the Consumer Confidence Index (ICC) measures the current perception and future expectations that people have about their economic situation, their family and the country in general, in respect to the purchase of consumption durables and non-durables, as well as employment, inflation and savings. The index is based on a sample of 2336 households located in the 32 major cities of the country. The ICC has a base of 100 as of January of 2003, levels above 50 indicate optimism, 50 neutrality, and below 50 pessimism.

Foreign Exchange Reserves

688100000000

In India, Foreign Exchange Reserves are the foreign assets held or controlled by the country central bank. The reserves are made of gold or a specific currency. They can also be special drawing rights and marketable securities denominated in foreign currencies like treasury bills, government bonds, corporate bonds and equities and foreign currency loans.

Foreign Exchange Reserves

248800000000

In Mexico, Foreign Exchange Reserves are the foreign assets held or controlled by the country central bank. The reserves are made of gold or a specific currency. They can also be special drawing rights and marketable securities denominated in foreign currencies like treasury bills, government bonds, corporate bonds and equities and foreign currency loans.

GDP Growth Rate QoQ 3rd Est

0.1%

The Euro Area is an economic and monetary union of 19 European countries that adopted the euro as their currency. It is the second largest economy in the world and if it was a country it would be the third most populous with 341 million inhabitants. Germany, France, Italy and Spain are the most important economies accounting respectively for 29 percent, 20 percent, 15 percent and 10 percent of the bloc’s GDP.

Employment Change YoY Final

0.6%

In the Euro Area, employment change refers to the year-over-year change in the number of persons who work for pay or profit, or perform unpaid family work. Estimates include both full-time and part-time employment.

GDP Growth Rate YoY 3rd Est

1.6%

The Euro Area is the second largest economy in the world. Of the 19 member states it includes, the biggest are: Germany (29 percent of total GDP), France (20 percent), Italy (15 percent) and Spain (10 percent). On the expenditure side, household consumption is the main component of GDP and accounts for 54 percent of its total use, followed by gross fixed capital formation (21 percent) and government expenditure (20 percent). Exports of goods and services account for 47 percent of GDP while imports account for 43 percent, adding 4 percent of total GDP.

Employment Change QoQ Final

0.1%

In the Euro Area, employment change refers to the quarterly change in the number of persons who work for pay or profit, or perform unpaid family work. Estimates include both full-time and part-time employment.

BBA Mortgage Rate

6.81%

In the United Kingdom, BBA Mortgage Rate refers to end month weighted average interest rate of UK monetary financial institutions (excl. Central Bank) sterling revert-to-rate mortgage to households. Mortgage priced at the standard variable rate.

GDP Growth Rate YoY

1.6%

In Greece, household consumption is the main component of GDP and accounts for 72 percent of its total use, followed by government expenditure (20 percent) and gross fixed capital formation (12 percent). Exports of goods and services account for 33 percent of GDP while imports account for 35 percent, subtracting 2 percent of total GDP.

GDP Growth Rate QoQ

0.4%

Greece has a service based economy and is one of the top tourist destinations in the world. Following the entry to the European Union in 1980 and the Euro Area in 2000, the Greek economy had been recording high rates of growth. Yet, as this expansion had been fueled mainly by the access to cheap credit and growth of public sector, in 2008 the budget deficit and sovereign debt reached unsustainable levels. As a result, Greece faced the worst crisis since 1974 and tough reforms enforced by the IMF and the European Commission as part of the bailout programme are taking place.

GDP Growth Rate YoY

-0.7%

On the expenditure side, external balance of exports and imports is the main component of GDP and accounts for 35 percent of its total use, as exports of goods and services account for 200 percent while imports account for 165 percent. It is followed by household consumption (30 percent of GDP) gross fixed capital formation (18 percent) and government expenditure (17 percent).

GDP Growth Rate QoQ

0.8%

The economy of Luxembourg is dependent on the banking, steel, and industrial sectors and the country has one of the highest GDP per capita in the world. On the expenditure side, external balance of exports and imports is the main component of GDP and accounts for 35 percent of its total use, as exports of goods and services account for 200 percent while imports account for 165 percent. It is followed by household consumption (30 percent of GDP) gross fixed capital formation (18 percent) and government expenditure (17 percent).

Retail Sales MoM

-0.4%

In Italy, the Retail sales report provides an aggregated measure of sales of retail goods and services over a specific time period. In Italy, Retail sales are seasonal, volatile and relatively important to the overall economy.

Retail Sales YoY

0.7%

In Italy, the year-over-year change in Retail sales compares the aggregated sales of retail goods and services during a certain month to the same month a year ago.

Foreign Exchange Reserves

426100000000

In Hong Kong, Foreign Exchange Reserves are the foreign assets held or controlled by the country central bank. The reserves are made of gold or a specific currency. They can also be special drawing rights and marketable securities denominated in foreign currencies like treasury bills, government bonds, corporate bonds and equities and foreign currency loans.

Balance of Trade

-1895600000

Austria's economy is dependent on foreign trade and closely linked to the economies of other EU countries, particularly Germany. The major export commodity in Austria is the automobile and its components, machinery and paper products. Austria imports mainly machinery and equipment, motor vehicles, chemicals, metal goods, oil and oil products and foodstuffs.

Wholesale Prices YoY

0.2%

The wholesale price index reflects the prices trends for goods that are sold by wholesale enterprises. The prices of the 387 items contained in the basket of goods are surveyed at around 200 wholesale enterprises, which voluntarily provide approximately 1400 wholesale selling prices (exclusive VAT) every month.

Wholesale Prices MoM

-0.3%

The wholesale price index reflects the prices trends for goods that are sold by wholesale enterprises. The prices of the 387 items contained in the basket of goods are surveyed at around 200 wholesale enterprises, which voluntarily provide approximately 1400 wholesale selling prices (exclusive VAT) every month.

Foreign Exchange Reserves

724906000000

In Switzerland, Foreign Exchange Reserves are the foreign assets held or controlled by the country central bank. The reserves are made of gold or a specific currency. They can also be special drawing rights and marketable securities denominated in foreign currencies like treasury bills, government bonds, corporate bonds and equities and foreign currency loans.

Retail Sales YoY

2.8%

In Czech Republic, the year-over-year change in Retail sales compares the aggregated sales of retail goods and services during a certain month to the same month a year ago.

Retail Sales MoM

-0.2%

In Czech Republic, the Retail sales report provides an aggregated measure of sales of retail goods and services over a specific time period. In Czech Republic, Retail sales are seasonal, volatile and relatively important to the overall economy.

Industrial Production YoY

1.5%

In Spain, industrial production measures the output of businesses integrated in industrial sector of the economy. Manufacturing is the most important sector and accounts for 82 percent of total production. The biggest segments within Manufacturing are: Food products (12 percent of total production); fabricated metal products, except machinery and equipment (9 percent); motor vehicles, trailers and semi-trailers (6 percent); chemicals and chemical products (6 percent); other non-metallic mineral products (5 percent); rubber and plastic products (4 percent); machinery and equipment (4 percent); basic metals (4 percent); and beverages (4 percent). Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning account for 14 percent of total output; Water supply, sewerage, waste management and remediation account for 3 percent; and Mining and quarrying account for 1 percent.

Industrial Production MoM

0.7%

In France, industrial production measures the output of businesses integrated in industrial sector of the economy. Manufacturing is the most important sector and accounts for 86 percent of total production. The biggest segments within Manufacturing are: Food products and beverages (13 percent of total production); machinery and equipment goods (13 percent), of which computer, electronic and optical products (5 percent); basic metals and fabricated metal products (12 percent); other manufacturing, repair and installation of machinery and equipment (12 percent); transport equipment (10 percent); rubber and plastics products, and other non-metallic mineral products (8 percent); and chemicals and chemical products (6 percent). Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning account for 11 percent of total output, Water supply, sewerage, waste management and remediation account for 1 percent and Mining and quarrying account also for 1 percent.

Balance of Trade

-6400000000

Since 2004, France has been recording trade deficits due the gradual erosion of the export-oriented industry, the appreciation of the euro and the increasing dependency on imports of energy and manufactured products. The biggest trade deficits were recorded with: China, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium; while the biggest trade surpluses were recorded with: the United States, the United Kingdom, the Middle East, and Switzerland.

Imports

58300000000

France imports mainly mechanical equipment, electronic and computer equipment (21 percent of total imports); transport equipment (19 percent), of which aeronautics (11 percent) and automobile industry (7 percent); chemicals, perfumes, cosmetics (8 percent); agro-food industry products (8 percent); metallurgical and metal products (7 percent); natural hydrocarbons, other mining products, electricity (7 percent); textiles, leather (7 percent); jewelry, toys, furniture (5 percent); pharmaceuticals (5 percent); and rubber and plastic products, miscellaneous mineral products (5 percent). Main import partners are: Germany (16 percent of total imports), China (9 percent), Italy (8 percent), Belgium (7 percent), the US and Spain (6 percent each), the UK and the Netherlands (5 percent each).

Exports

52000000000

France exports mainly transport equipment (23 percent of total exports), of which aeronautics (12 percent) and automobile industry (10 percent). The country also exports mechanical equipment, electronic and computer equipment (19 percent); chemicals, perfumes, cosmetics (12 percent); agro-food industry products (10 percent); metallurgical and metal products (7 percent); pharmaceuticals (6 percent); textiles, leather (5 percent); rubber and plastic products, miscellaneous mineral products (4 percent); jewelry, toys, furniture (3 percent); and agricultural, forestry, fishery and aquaculture products (3 percent). Main export partners are: Germany (15 percent of total exports), Spain and Italy (8 percent each), the UK, the US and Belgium (7 percent each), China and the Netherlands (4 percent each).

Current Account

-1600000000

Current Account is the sum of the balance of trade (exports minus imports of goods and services), net factor income (such as interest and dividends) and net transfer payments (such as foreign aid).

Foreign Exchange Reserves

350037000000

In France, the international reserves include external assets that are directly and effectively controlled by the Banque de France, readily available, denominated in foreign currency and meeting the criterion of residency. Only claims on nonresident of the Euro-area are considered as reserve assets. The international reserve assets are recorded on the basis of gross reserve asset concept.

Industrial Production YoY Prel

1.3%

In Hungary, industrial production measures the output of businesses integrated in industrial sector of the economy such as manufacturing, mining, and utilities.

Factory Orders MoM

2%

Factory Orders in Germany are reported using monthly changes in the volume of new orders received by manufacturers. Factory Order figures in Germany can be very volatile and misleading because they are heavily affected by geopolitical events, temporary shocks in demand and business deals which may only happen once.

Halifax House Price Index MoM

0.5%

The Halifax House Price Index is the UK's longest running monthly house price series with data covering the whole country going back to January 1983. From this data, a "standardized" house price is calculated and property price movements on a like -for-like basis (including seasonal adjustments) are analyzed over time.

Halifax House Price Index YoY

1.9%

The Halifax House Price Index is the UK's longest running monthly house price series with data covering the whole country going back to January 1983. From this data, a "standardized" house price is calculated and property price movements on a like -for-like basis (including seasonal adjustments) are analyzed over time.

Manufacturing Production MoM

-1.4%

In Norway, manufacturing accounts for 27 percent of total production, mainly: food, beverages and tobacco (5 percent); refined petroleum, chemicals and pharmaceutical products (4 percent); machinery and equipment (3 percent); fabricated metal products (2 percent); ships, boats and oil platforms (2 percent); computer and electrical equipment (2 percent); repair, installation of machinery (2 percent); rubber, plastic and mineral products (2 percent); and basic metals (2 percent).

Retail Sales MoM

1.1%

In Romania, the Retail sales report provides an aggregated measure of sales of retail goods and services over a specific time period. In Romania, Retail sales are seasonal, volatile and relatively important to the overall economy.

Retail Sales YoY

-2.1%

In Romania, the year-over-year change in Retail sales compares the aggregated sales of retail goods and services during a certain month to the same month a year ago.

GDP Growth Rate QoQ 2nd Est

1%

Romania is an upper-middle income economy and has been part of the European Union since 2007. The main industries in Romania are: electric machinery and equipment, textiles and footwear, light machinery and auto assembly, software, mining, timber, construction materials, metallurgy, chemicals, food processing and petroleum refining. On the expenditure side, household consumption is the main component of GDP and accounts for 63 percent of its total use, followed by gross fixed capital formation (22 percent) and government expenditure (14 percent). Exports of goods and services account for 41 percent of GDP and imports account for 41 percent.

GDP Growth Rate YoY 2nd Est

0.3%

On the expenditure side, household consumption is the main component of GDP and accounts for 63 percent of its total use, followed by gross fixed capital formation (22 percent) and government expenditure (14 percent). Exports of goods and services account for 41 percent of GDP and imports account for 41 percent.

Foreign Exchange Reserves

71550000000

In South Africa, Foreign Exchange Reserves are the foreign assets held or controlled by the country central bank. The reserves are made of gold or a specific currency. They can also be special drawing rights and marketable securities denominated in foreign currencies like treasury bills, government bonds, corporate bonds and equities and foreign currency loans.

Coincident Index Prel

114.9

Coincident Index correlates with the business cycle, and is used to identify the current state of the economy. In general, increasing coincident index shows that the economy is in an expansion phase, and decreasing coincident index reflects that the economy is in a contraction phase. The index is calculated using month-over-month percentage changes in 11 leading indicators, 11 coincident indicators, and 6 lagging indicators.

Leading Economic Index Prel

108.2

In Japan, the Leading Composite Index consists of 12 indexes such as account inventory ratios, machinery orders, stock prices and other leading economic indicators. The index anticipates changes in the direction of the Japanese economy in the coming months. In general, increase in the index reflects that the economy is in an expansion phase, and decreasing coincident index reflects that the economy is in a contraction phase. The index is used to make official judgement on when the business cycle begins and ends.

Retail Sales YoY

2.7%

In Singapore, the year-over-year change in Retail sales compares the aggregated sales of retail goods and services during a certain month to the same month a year ago.

Retail Sales MoM

-1.7%

In Singapore, the Retail sales report provides an aggregated measure of sales of retail goods and services over a specific time period. In Singapore, Retail sales are seasonal, volatile and relatively important to the overall economy.

RBI Interest Rate Decision

5.5%

In India, interest rate decisions are taken by the Reserve Bank of India's Central Board of Directors. The official interest rate is the benchmark repurchase rate. In 2014, the primary objective of the RBI monetary policy became price stability, giving less importance to government's borrowing, the stability of the rupee exchange rate and the need to protect exports. In February 2015, the government and the central bank agreed to set a consumer inflation target of 4 percent, with a band of plus or minus 2 percentage points, from the financial year ending in March 2017.

Cash Reserve Ratio

3%

Cash Reserve Ratio is a specified minimum fraction of the total deposits of customers, which commercial banks have to hold as reserves either in cash or as deposits with the central bank.

3-Month Bill Auction

0.5187%

Foreign Exchange Reserves

149900000000

In Indonesia, Foreign Exchange Reserves are the foreign assets held or controlled by the country central bank. The reserves are made of gold or a specific currency. They can also be special drawing rights and marketable securities denominated in foreign currencies like treasury bills, government bonds, corporate bonds and equities and foreign currency loans.

Foreign Exchange Reserves

1347400000000

In Japan, Foreign Exchange Reserves are the foreign assets held or controlled by the country central bank. The reserves are made of gold or a specific currency. They can also be special drawing rights and marketable securities denominated in foreign currencies like treasury bills, government bonds, corporate bonds and equities and foreign currency loans.

Household Spending YoY

1.8%

In Japan, Household Spending YoY refers to the annual change of consumption expenditures (on food, housing, utilities, furniture, clothing, health, education, transport, communication, leisure activities, etc.) in real terms for two-or-more-person households including agricultural, forestry and fisheries households.

Household Spending MoM

-0.7%

In Japan, Household Spending MoM refers to the monthly change of consumption expenditures (on food, housing, utilities, furniture, clothing, health, education, transport, communication, leisure activities, etc.) in real terms for two-or-more-person households including agricultural, forestry and fisheries households.

Current Account

13470000000

Current Account is the sum of the balance of trade (exports minus imports of goods and services), net factor income (such as interest and dividends) and net transfer payments (such as foreign aid).

Fed Balance Sheet

6550000000000

The Central Bank Balance Sheet represents the total assets held by a central bank. It reflects the scale of monetary policy actions, including holdings like government securities, foreign reserves, and loans to banks. Changes in the balance sheet indicate shifts in policy, such as easing or tightening financial conditions.

ECB Guindos Speech

In the Euro Area, benchmark interest rate is set by the Governing Council of the European Central Bank. The primary objective of the ECB’s monetary policy is to maintain price stability which is to keep inflation below, but close to 2 percent over the medium term. In times of prolonged low inflation and low interest rates, ECB may also adopt non-standard monetary policy measures, such as asset purchase programmes. The official interest rate is the Main refinancing operations rate.

Balance of Trade

6570000000

In the last few years, Brazil has been reporting trade surpluses, primarily due to high exports in the manufacturing industry (54 percent of total exports), mining (23 percent) and agricultural products (22 percent). Brazil's main imports are in the manufacturing industry (89 percent of total imports) with fuels and fertilizers comprising 18 percent of total imports. The biggest trade partners are: China (27 percent of total exports and 22 percent of total imports), the United States (11 percent of exports and 19 percent of imports), Argentina (5 percent of exports and 5 percent of imports). Others include: the Netherlands, Canada, Japan, Germany and Spain.

Fed Bowman Speech

In the United States, the authority to set interest rates is divided between the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve (Board) and the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC). The Board decides on changes in discount rates after recommendations submitted by one or more of the regional Federal Reserve Banks.. The FOMC decides on open market operations, including the desired levels of central bank money or the desired federal funds market rate.

30-Year Mortgage Rate

6.23%

The Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS) is focused on conventional, conforming, fully amortizing home purchase loans for borrowers who put 20 percent down and have excellent credit. Average commitment rates should be reported along with average fees and points to reflect the total upfront cost of obtaining the mortgage. The interest rate a lender would charge to lend mortgage money to a qualified borrower exclusive of the fees and points required by the lender. This commitment rate applies only to conventional financing on conforming mortgages with loan-to-value rates of 80 percent or less.

15-Year Mortgage Rate

5.51%

4-Week Bill Auction

3.905%

8-Week Bill Auction

3.84%