Quick Overview

• U.S. exports rose $2.2 billion in December, while imports fell $2.2 billion—resulting in $58.8 billion of net imports.
  
  

• Australia’s unemployment rate improved from 4.3% to 4.1% in January,
  

• Canada's exports fell 3.1% in December, while imports rose 0.7% -- resulting in $2.4 billion of net exports.
  

• GDP in the Euro zone rose 0.4% QoQ and 2.3% YoY.
  

• GDP in Japan rose 0.9% QoQ and 1.8% YoY.

• BOJ kept interest rate unchanged at 0.5%.
  
  

• Thailand has started requiring that all its diesel fuel include a component made from palm oil, a move that could reduce costly energy imports but is driving up prices for the commodity.
  
  

• Grain and oilseed prices rose on fresh signs of demand and shrinking supply. Almost half of China’s autumn and winter rapeseed crop was negatively affected by the recent rain and snow storms, the China National Grain & Oils Information Center said.
  
  

• The U.S. is importing wheat?? According to Dow Jones Newswire a million bushels of German wheat has been bought by a U.S. firm (Cargill?)for blending with other U.S. wheat.