Quick Overview

• The Conference Board leading indicators figure for December came in +0.3%, which was better than expected.
  
  

• YoY consumer prices in Canada were up 1.6% in December.
  
  

• YoY consumer spending in France rose 6.8%, more than expected.
  
  

• The dollar weakened against European currencies, hitting a 14-year low against the BPound on expectations that interest rates will continue to rise in Europe.
  
  

• Japan is considering legislation designed to encourage the widespread use of biofuels
  such as ethanol as a way to tackle global warming and diversify energy sources, The Nikkei reported.