EUROZONE
The European Central Bank in its latest survey published on Thursday said that median expectations for inflation in the next 12 months fell from 5.4% to 5%, while three years ahead expectations went a bit more toward the target range at 2.9%. The unemployment rate was seen at about 12.4% in the next year. The growth of home prices was seen to remain stable at 3.1%.
JAPAN
Most of Japan’s regional economies showed signs of picking up despite being affected by high commodity prices, and employment and income situation has been improving in almost all regions, the latest Regional Economic Assessment report from the Bank of Japan showed on Thursday.
CHINA
China auto sales increased by 9.5% last year, while electric cars performed better, the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) reported Thursday. Total vehicles, including trucks and buses, rose by 2.1% to 26.9 million.
IRELAND
Irish unemployment rate declined for the first time in six months in December, preliminary data from the Central Statistics Office in Dublin showed Wednesday. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dropped to 4.3%. Ireland’s youth unemployment rate, which applies to the 15-24 age group, dropped to 11.5%.
TURKEY
Turkey’s retail sales advanced 12.1% yearly in November, following a 9.3% gain in October, data from Turkstat showed on Thursday.
AUSTRALIA
Australia’s merchandise trade surplus stood at A$13.201 billion in November, beating expectations for a surplus of A$10.5 billion, the Australian Bureau of Statistics said on Thursday.
