Consumer sentiment dips going into holidays (Reuters)
Reuters - U.S. consumer sentiment slipped in December but was not far from the year's highs, a report said on Friday, suggesting Americans were guardedly optimistic about the economy in the holiday season.
Regions
Japan's trade surplus falls 86.6 percent in July (AP)
2008.08.2134 minutes ago
TOKYO - Japan's trade surplus in July fell 86.6 percent from a year earlier as spending on imports grew because of higher prices for oil and other commodities, the government said Thursday.
The surplus shrank to 91.1 billion yen ($830.6 million), marking the fifth straight month of decline, the Finance Ministry said.
Overall imports grew 18.2 percent to 7.54 trillion yen ($68.7 billion) in July, while exports rose 8.1 percent to 7.63 trillion yen ($69.6 billion), the ministry said.
Japan's politically sensitive trade surplus with the United States fell 19.0 percent, down for the 11th straight month on slower exports of cars, auto parts, machinery and electronics.
The nation's trade surplus with Asia, however, jumped 42.3 percent, rebounded after a fall in June due to stronger exports of mineral fuels and raw materials. The trade surplus with China fell 63.3 percent.
Regions : Americas
More articles on this topic:
November housing starts up (Reuters)
Reuters - The pace of U.S. home building rose in November as new home starts climbed 6.7 percent, rebounding from a sharp decline in October while building permits fell 3 percent, a government report showed on Tuesday.
Reuters - The pace of U.S. home building rose in November as new home starts climbed 6.7 percent, rebounding from a sharp decline in October while building permits fell 3 percent, a government report showed on Tuesday.
US GDP revised down to show 2.0 percent growth pace (AFP)
AFP - US economic growth has been a bit more sluggish than earlier estimated in the third quarter, growing at a 2.0 percent annualized pace, according to revised data.
AFP - US economic growth has been a bit more sluggish than earlier estimated in the third quarter, growing at a 2.0 percent annualized pace, according to revised data.
Consumers boost buying during holidays (AP)
AP - Keeping the nation's cash registers ringing, consumers boosted their spending in November by the largest amount in four months, raising hopes shoppers will act more like Santas than Scrooges during the holidays.
AP - Keeping the nation's cash registers ringing, consumers boosted their spending in November by the largest amount in four months, raising hopes shoppers will act more like Santas than Scrooges during the holidays.
Consumer confidence ebbs, boosts rate hopes (Reuters)
Reuters - U.S. consumer confidence ebbed in December, while a key measure of inflation held steady in November for first time in four years, boosting the chances of Federal Reserve interest rate cuts in 2007.
Reuters - U.S. consumer confidence ebbed in December, while a key measure of inflation held steady in November for first time in four years, boosting the chances of Federal Reserve interest rate cuts in 2007.
