Quick Overview

• U.S. retail sales rose 0.8% in November, marking fifth straight monthly increase

• U.S. PPI rose 0.8% in November -- the biggest gain since March.(prices for fresh fruits and melons rose 13.6%)

• U.K. CPI rose 3.3%

• The FT reports that Portugal has become the first EU country with a sugar shortage.

• The Fed left interest rates and the bond purchase program unchanged.

• Indian inflation in November declined to 7.48 % from 8.58 % in the previous month.

• YoY China's exports grew by 34.9% in November to US$153.33 billion, while the nation's imports surged by 37.7% to $130.43 billion
• China's trade surplus declined to $22.89 billion in November, down from $27.1 billion in October, reports Xinhua.