Lara Sheldon

According to the University of Michigan, the consumer sentiment preliminary index fell to 90.7 in February—compared to 92.0 in January 2016.

According to the Department of Labor, initial jobless claims stood at 285,000 for the week ended January 30. This was a rise of 8,000 from the prior week.

India accounts for about 2.7% of the world’s gross domestic product (or GDP), and manufacturing activity accounts for ~17% of India’s GDP.

The Italian economy contributes about 3.0% toward global gross domestic product, and the manufacturing sector accounts for 15% of the country’s economy.

In-line with the flash estimate, the Eurozone’s manufacturing PMI (purchasing manufacturers’ index) stood at 52.3 in January 2016.

The US economy contributes about 25.4% toward global gross domestic product, and the manufacturing sector accounts for one-tenth of the country’s economy.

According to JPMorgan Chase and Markit, the global manufacturing PMI (purchasing managers’ index) rose slightly to 50.9 in January 2016.

The manufacturing sector accounts for about 12% of the US economy. The manufacturing PMI was 48.2 in January—a rise of 0.2 points from December.

According to the National Association of Realtors, US pending home sales rose marginally at 0.1% in December versus a 1.1% fall in November 2015.

According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Japanese housing starts fell 1.3% in December YoY as compared to a rise of 1.7% in November.

The target inflation rate set by the B0J (Bank of Japan) stands at 2.0%. However, the December inflation is much lower than the target inflation rate.

According to the MBA (Mortgage Bankers Association) survey, mortgage applications rose by 8.8% for the week ending January 22.

With increasing home prices, builders might increase the home supply. Due to lower mortgage rates, more customers could be attracted to the housing sector.

The manufacturing sector in Japan accounts for ~19% of the country’s GDP. According to Markit, Japan’s flash manufacturing PMI fell by 0.2 points in January.

With the reading above neutral, the Eurozone continued its upturn in business activity. Though at a 12-month low, the services PMI rose to 53.6 in January

With Russia’s falling trade surplus, the iShares MSCI Russia Capped ETF and the Direxion Daily Russia Bull 3X ETF have fallen 16.6% and 60.9%, respectively.

The decline in utilities by 2.0% in December was a main contributor towards the decline in industrial production.

The November business inventories to sales ratio stood at 1.4, compared with 1.3 in November 2014.

With improved consumer sentiment, there may be greater consumer spending in the economy, which may translate into faster economic growth.

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the PPI-FD (producer price index for final demand) moved down 1.0% in December, year-over-year.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, US import prices fell 1.2% month-over-month in December as compared to a 0.5% decline in November 2015.

France’s CPI (consumer price index) rose 0.2% month-over-month in December, as compared to a 0.2% decline in November 2015.

With the decline in manufacturing output, the iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF (EWU) has fallen 6.6% over the past month as of January 12.

According to the Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Geografía (INEGI), Mexico’s industrial production fell by 0.5% in November 2015.

Germany’s IIP (industrial production index) fell by 0.3% month-over-month in November—compared to a revised rise of 0.5% in October 2015.

According to the Economic and Social Research Institute, Japan’s consumer confidence index rose by 0.1 points to 42.7 in December—compared to 42.6 in November.

Japanese services PMI slightly changed at 51.5 in December The service sector accounts for ~72.6% of Japan’s GDP. According to Markit, Japan’s services PMI (purchasing managers’ index) dipped slightly to 51.5 in December 2015, as compared to 51.6 in November 2015. As a result, the iShares MSCI Japan ETF (EWJ) and the WisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity […]

The service sector makes up about 78.9% of the French economy. According to Markit, France’s services business activity index declined by 1.2 points in December to 49.8.

Brazil recorded a trade surplus of $6.2 billion in December 2015, as compared to a trade surplus of $0.3 billion in December 2014.

According to the National Institute of Statistics (Istat), Italy’s December inflation rate is expected to remain unchanged at 0.1% on a year-over-year (or YoY) basis.

According to Germany’s Federal Statistical Office (Destatis), Germany’s December inflation rate is expected to come in at 0.3% on a YoY (year-over-year) basis as compared to 0.4% in November 2015.

According to the Institute for Supply Management, or ISM, the manufacturing PMI came in at 48.2 in December—a decline of 0.4 points from the November reading of 48.6.

Manufacturing activity accounts for ~18% of Mexico’s GDP. Mexico’s manufacturing PMI declined by 0.6 points to 52.4 in December, compared to 53.0 in November 2015.

According to Markit, Germany’s manufacturing PMI rose to 53.2 in December 2015, compared to its November level of 52.9 level.

China accounts for ~8.4% of the global GDP, and manufacturing activity contributes about 31% to China’s GDP. The Caixin China manufacturing PMI declined 0.4 points to 48.2 in December.

India accounts for ~2.5% of the world’s GDP, and manufacturing activity accounts for ~17% of India’s GDP. The Nikkei India manufacturing index fell by 1.2 points to 49.1 in December.

Brazil accounts for ~2.1% of the world’s GDP, and its manufacturing activity accounts for ~11% of Brazil’s GDP. Brazil’s manufacturing PMI increased by 1.8 points to 45.6 in December.

According to Markit, Spain’s manufacturing PMI increased to 53.0 in December, a decline of 0.1 points from November’s reading of 53.1.

China’s non-manufacturing PMI (purchasing managers’ index) rose by 0.8 points to 54.4 in December as against 53.6 in November 2015.

With a sharp fall in new orders, the Chicago PMI (purchasing managers’ Index) fell 5.8 points to 42.9 in December, as compared to 48.7 in November 2015.

South Africa recorded a trade surplus of 1.8 billion zar in November. This compares to an upwardly revised trade deficit of 21.6 billion zar in October 2015.

In DIA, the 20-day moving averages for MMM, BA, and HD are crossing over the 100-day moving averages. This is considered a bullish crossover.

Of all the top holdings of XLI, except for UTX, the 20-day moving averages are crossing over the 100-day moving averages. This is considered a bullish crossover.

Spanish inflation is expected to fall 0.3% in December, following a rise of 0.4% in the previous month.

According to Markit, Russia’s manufacturing PMI (purchasing managers’ index) declined by 1.4 points and came in at 48.7 in December, as compared to 50.1 in November 2015.

Housing has been a bright spot in the US economy. But over the past month, housing stocks haven’t been performing well. ITB, a housing-focused fund, has fallen 4.7%.

According to the ISTAT (Italian National Institute of Statistics), Italy’s consumer confidence fell to 117.6 in December—compared to 118.4 in November 2015.

According to Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs & Communications, the unemployment rate rose to 3.3% in November 2015, as compared to 3.1% in October 2015 and 3.5% in November 2014.

Household income in Japan fell 1.8% YoY (year-over-year) in November, despite rises in new orders and production levels.

With an increase in food prices by 2.9%, Japan’s CPI remained relatively unchanged on a YoY basis in November, recording the same increase of 0.3% seen in October 2015.

Consumer spending accounts for about 70% of the US GDP, and personal spending rose 0.3%, or $44.0 billion, in November.

The only negative contribution to UK gross domestic product came from net trade, which contributed -1.0% in 3Q15 compared to an estimated -1.5%.

In the second quarter of 2015, gross domestic product rose 3.9%. The US economy grew at an annual rate of 2.0% in the third quarter of 2015.

After sliding for two consecutive quarters, Japan’s economy has advanced 0.3% in 3Q15. This comes as a relief to the ailing Japanese economy.

The UK economy is struggling with lower inflation. Oil’s fall below $35 during the week has worsened the situation further.

In 2015, the Eurozone economy advanced at a slower rate of 0.3% in 3Q15 with an increase in household consumption expenditure.

Like Brazil (EWZ), Russia (RUSL) (ERUS) is also struggling with high inflationary pressure. For the September quarter, Russian GDP (gross domestic product) fell 0.57%.

For the September quarter, the Brazilian GDP (gross domestic product) fell 1.7% as compared to a decline of 2.1% in the previous quarter.

The US economy contributes about 25.2% towards global GDP. In 3Q15, the US economy grew at an annualized rate of 2.1% due to an increase in consumer spending.

With a falling trade deficit, the WisdomTree India Earnings ETF and the Direxion Daily India Bull 3X Shares rose 1.1% and 4.5%, respectively, as of December 15.

According to the National Association of Home Builders (or NAHB), the housing market index fell by a single point to reach a level of 61.0 in December.

The core inflation rate in November—including all items aside from food and energy—rose 0.2%. This was the same rise as in September and October.

With a drop in consumer confidence, the iShares MSCI Brazil Capped ETF (EWZ) and the Direxion Daily Brazil Bull 3X ETF (BRZU) were down 0.36% and 0.89%, respectively, as of December 14.

For October 2015, wholesale trade sales were $1,317.7 billion. They were down 0.2% in October from the previous month and fell 2.7% from a year ago.

Consumer sentiment has fallen by 1.9% from a year ago, with a decrease in consumer expectations of 5.1% in December 2015.

With an increase in final demand services, the producer price index for final demand, or PPI-FD, rose by 0.3% in November.

The Bank of England or BoE is targeting an inflation rate at 2.0% in order to attain economic growth in the United Kingdom.

The Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee (or MPC) voted by a majority of 8:1 to maintain a bank rate at 0.5% yesterday.

According to the US Census Bureau, wholesale inventories stood at $585.9 billion at the end of October.

France’s industrial production rose 2.3% year-over-year (or YoY) in October 2015 as compared to 0.7% in September 2015.

The industrial production in the United Kingdom rose by 1.7% in October. During the month, three of the four main sectors increased.

Retail PMI has seen a broad-based downturn with a reduction in sales in Germany (EWG), Italy (EWI), and France (EWQ).

The US trade deficit stood at $43.9 billion in October. International trade plays a crucial role in determining whether the economy is growing or not.

The Fed provided easy access to finance in the economy. It improved the consumer sentiment and spending habits. It stimulated economic growth in the US.

India manufacturing PMI fell to 50.3 in November India accounts for about 2.5% of the world’s GDP, and manufacturing activity accounts for ~17% of India’s GDP. According to Markit, the Nikkei India manufacturing index declined by 0.4 points to 50.3 in November, compared to 50.7 in October 2015. Although manufacturing was down, India’s GDP rose to […]

Russia accounts for about 1.8% of the world’s GDP, and manufacturing activity accounts for ~15% of Russia’s GDP. Russia’s manufacturing PMI declined slightly to 50.1 in November, compared to 50.2 in October.

Brazil’s manufacturing PMI declined by 0.3 points to 43.8 in November, compared to 44.1 in October.

According to Markit, the final manufacturing PMI for France remained unchanged at 50.6 in November for the third straight month.

Germany’s manufacturing PMI rose to 52.9 in November 2015, up 0.8 points from October’s reading of 52.1 in October.

In line with the flash estimate, the Eurozone manufacturing PMI rose to 52.8 in November 2015, up 0.5 points from the 52.3 reading in October.

The US manufacturing PMI fell to 52.8 in November, a decline of 1.3 points from October’s reading of 54.1. This is one of the weakest readings since October 2013.

According to J.P.Morgan and Markit, the global manufacturing purchasing manufacturers’ index fell slightly to 51.2 in November, compared to 51.3 in October.

According to Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, retail sales rose 1.8% YoY (year-over-year) in October, as compared to the downwardly revised 0.1% decline in September 2015.

With a rise in production and shipments, Japan industrial production rose by 1.4% in October—compared to a rise of 1.1% in September 2015.

With household spending gathering pace, it could be an important growth driver for the United Kingdom’s economic growth.

On a yearly basis, GDP growth in 3Q15 for Spain stands at 3.4% compared to 3.2% in the previous quarter. GDP growth was mainly attributed to an increase in domestic demand.

The consumer confidence index fell by 8.7 points to 90.4 in November 2015 compared to the upwardly revised level of 99.1 in October 2015. It was well below the consensus estimate of 99.6.

The rise in the consumer confidence highlights consumers’ growing optimism. With the holiday season ahead, an additional rise is expected.

According to the National Institute of Statistics (or ISTAT), Italy’s goods and services surplus rose to 2.2 billion euros in September 2015 compared to 2.0 billion euros a year ago.

According to Eurostat, the Eurozone’s annual inflation stood at 0.1% in October, compared to -0.1% in September 2015.

According to the Empire State Manufacturing Survey, business activity improved to -10.74 points in November, compared to -11.36 points in October 2015.

This is the second consecutive quarter in which Japan economy has contracted. The aging population has been a major problem faced by the Japanese economy.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics of China, industrial production in China rose 5.6% in October compared to 5.7% in September. The reading was below market expectations of 5.8%.

The increase in China’s retail sales was mainly due to an increase of 36.6% in sales of communication appliances, followed by increases in building materials, office supplies, and furniture.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, import prices fell 0.5% in October as compared to a fall of 0.6% in September 2015.

According to the NFIB, the small business optimism index remained unchanged at 96.1 in October. The reading was below the consensus estimate of 96.4.

Brazil’s inflation rate stood at 9.93% in October, compared to 9.49% in September—the highest level of inflation Brazil has seen so far in 2015.

Though consumer sentiment remains low, the First Trust Consumer Discretionary AlphaDEX ETF (FXD) has gained 0.79% in the past week as of November 5, 2015.

The service sector makes up more than 85% of the US economy. With manufacturing picking up in October, faster growth in the service sector may further ramp up economic growth.

According to the US Census Bureau, the goods and services deficit was $40.8 billion in September, down $7.2 billion from a revised $48.0 billion in August.