Friday, August 04, 2006

Quick Overview

  • The U.S. unemployment rate rose from 4.6% to 4.8% in July, weaker than expected. After the report, fed funds futures priced in a 16% chance of a Fed rate increase next week.

  • Canada's unemployment rate increased from 6.1% to 6.4%.

  • Australia's Reserve Bank expects real GDP to increase 3.5% this year with inflation around 3.0%.


  • The International Monetary Fund has raised its forecast for German economic growth this year to 1.4 percent from 1.3.

  • 414 companies in the S&P 500 (83%) have released results, and earnings rose by an average of 19% .

  • German June factory orders unexpectedly declined -0.5% from a changed -1.5% decline in May.

  • YoY U.K. personal bankruptcies rose +66% in the second quarter, the highest level since records began in 1960.

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