Quick Overview

• U.S. leading indicators fell 0.2% in December to 136.5, the third consecutive monthly decline.
  

• The University of Michigan's consumer sentiment index rose from 75.5 to 80.
  

• Canada’s manufacturing sales rose 1.1% in November.
  

• U.K.’s retail sales fell 0.4% in December.
  

• Japan's consumer confidence fell from 39.8 to 38.0.
  

• Jewellery gold demand will sink almost 20 % in the first half of 2008, raising doubts about the sustainability of current record gold prices, according to GFMS
  

• Indonesia plans to institute price controls on soybeans.