Monday, May 08, 2006

Quick Overview

  • Business confidence in Germany rose from 103.4 to 105.4 in March, the highest in 15 years.

  • Canada's housing starts were at an annual rate of 218,100 units in April, down 13% MoM

  • Retail sales in Australia rose 0.3% in March.

  • The European Commission increased its estimate of 2006 GDP growth from 1.9% to 2.1% for the Euro zone, but reduced its 2007 estimate from 2.1% to 1.8%.

  • Land prices in Japan rose in 2005 for the first time in 15 years, Bank of Japan calculations showed on Monday, underscoring the economy's steady recovery from more than a decade of stagnation.

  • Crude oil futures prices dropped below $70 a barrel Monday on rising U.S. gasoline supplies and a letter from Iran's leader to President Bush proposing "new solutions" to increasing tensions

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