Govt pushed for retail measures — THE RETAIL industry now expects to grow by only 2.8 per cent this year instead of around 3 per cent, and continues to urge the government to implement the short- and long-term measures it has proposed to improve the situation. (The Nation, 4/5/2016)
BoT reports muted first-quarter growth – Thailand’s economic growth softened in the first quarter on tepid private consumption and shrinking exports, says a senior Bank of Thailand official. (Bangkok Post, 30/4/16)
EU extension likely to resolve IUU issues: source says group acknowledges PM Prayut’s seriousness in tackling problem and the efforts made since last year – THE EUROPEAN UNION is expected to give Thailand three more months to solve the illegal,unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing issue as an evaluation is due this month, according to diplomatic sources in Bangkok, after the country got a “yellow card” warning a year ago. (The Nation, 2/5/16)
U.S. construction spending rises to 8-1/2-year high – Construction spending increased 0.3 percent to the highest level since October 2007, following an upwardly revised 1.0 percent jump in February, the Commerce Department said on Monday. (Reuters, 2/5/16)
Eurozone growth strengthens to 0.6% in first quarter: Eurostat – Growth in the Eurozone strengthened to 0.6 per cent in the first quarter of 2016, official EU data showed Friday, in signs that the sluggish economy in Europe may improving. (The Economic Times, 29/4/16)
Eurozone unemployment falls (again) to 10.2% – March’s rate was better than expected – economists had forecast for unemployment to hold steady at 10.3 per cent, the rate that was initially estimated for February. However, February’s unemployment rate was on Friday revised higher, to 10.4 per cent. (Financial Times, 29/4/16)
China’s non-manufacturing PMI slows – China’s service sector activity slowed in April, official data showed on Sunday. The purchasing managers’ index (PMI) for the non-manufacturing sector came in at 53.5 in April, down from 53.8 in March, according to a report released jointly by the National Bureau of Statistics and the China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing. (Xinhua, 1/5/16)
China’s manufacturing activity slows – China’s manufacturing activity slowed in April, official data showed on Sunday. The purchasing managers’ index (PMI) came in at 50.1 in April, slightly down from March’s 50.2, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and the China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing. (Xinhua, 1/5/16)
Japan final April manufacturing PMI hits lowest since Jan 2013 after Kumamoto earthquake – The Markit/Nikkei Japan Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) fell to a seasonally adjusted 48.2 in April, which was above the preliminary reading of 48.0 but still below a final 49.1 in March. (Reuters, 2/5/16)
Australia’s Central Bank Cuts Rates to Record Low — Reserve Bank of Australia Governor Glenn Stevens and his board lowered the cash rate by 25 basis points to 1.75 percent Tuesday, a move predicted by just 12 of 27 economists surveyed by Bloomberg. The rest had seen no change. Data last week showed quarterly deflation in the consumer price index and the weakest annual pace on record for core inflation — which the RBA aims to keep between 2 percent and 3 percent on average. (Bloomberg, 3/5/2016)
