Wednesday, May 31, 2006

Quick Overview

  • Worried about inflation, Federal Reserve policymakers at their May meeting considered raising a key interest rate by half a percentage point before opting for a quarter-point increase.

  • The National Association of Purchasing Management's Chicago index of business activity increased from 57.2 to 61.5 in May, stronger than expected.

  • Brazil's central bank lowered its benchmark lending rate on Wednesday to 15.25 percent from 15.75 percent, the eighth straight cut.

  • Canada's GDP was up 0.1% in March and up 3.2% YoY

  • Retail sales in Germany were up 2.8% in April, more than expected.

  • Eurostat estimated 2.5% inflation in the Euro zone in May.

  • YoY India's GDP was up 9.3% in the first quarter of 2006

  • YoY Malaysia's GDP increased 5.3% in the first quarter.

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