Stock of houses for sale hits a 10-year December high. But average asking prices barely match year-ago levels, but beat general inflation over the past decade

Chris Trotter puts the Trump Venezuelan adventure into historical perspective, finding unsettling parallels to the throwback populism and stark racism of the early 20th century

US trapping itself in stagflation; China stuck with subsidies for internal growth; Korean exports star; India holds expansion; EU turns down; UST 10yr at 4.19%; gold little-changed; oil stays low; NZ$1 = 57.6 USc; TWI-5 = 61.7

China pushes internal growth plans, restricts silver exports; Korean exports rise fast; US factories stutter; Aussie house price growth shows signs of exhaustion; UST 10yr at 4.19%; gold up slightly; ditto oil; NZ$1 = 57.7 USc; TWI-5 = 61.7

Commodities surge, including dairy prices; US services sector cools, car sales modest; China car sales hit record; notable China climate shift; UST 10yr at 4.18%; precious metals all up sharply; oil lower; NZ$1 = 57.8 USc; TWI-5 = 61.8

US hiring weak, job openings at 14 month low; US services PMIs differ; China to follow loose monetary policy; Australia CPI dips; UST 10yr at 4.14%; gold dips from highs; oil down at 5yr lows; NZ$1 = 57.8 USc; TWI-5 = 61.8

Barfoot & Thompson's sales and selling prices were both lower in December on seasonality factors but lower prices ate into their mountain of stock as both sellers became more realistic, and more townhouses became available