Here's our summary of key economic events overnight that affect New Zealand, with news an optimistic tone is settling over the global economy today, even if uncertainty is high.
Hopes of a vaccine-powered rise in activity later this year have led the IMF to upgrade its forecast for global economic growth in 2021. But they also warn about "exceptional uncertainty". Everything hinges on a successful vaccine rollout in the major economies. Their new global forecast is for growth of +5.5% this year and +4.2% in 2022. China and India will lead the way with China up +8.1% this year and India up more than +11% (although not everyone thinks India is on the right path.). A good +5.1% rise for the US however isn't matched again in 2022 (+2.5%). Europe also will struggle they say, as will Japan. (These forecasts don't include detail for Australia or New Zealand.)
South Korea has posted better than expected GDP data in Q4, 2020. It wasn't stellar but it was much better than expected, giving them a good start into 2021.
In the US retail sales are holding up. Last week they were +3.9% higher than the same week a year ago, and only -2% lower than the pre-Christmas holiday week last month. It is actually quite an encouraging result.
The Richmond Fed factory survey in the mid-Atlantic states shows a slowing in their expansion rate, but the levels remain good and the falloff isn't actually significant. New order intakes are good, and prices/costs are rising.
It is the same story with the latest consumer sentiment survey. Levels are stable at a moderate level, post election, although there is more optimism in the near term.
In Hong Kong the recovery in exports continued, up +11.7% in December from a year ago, and much better than the +5.6% rise in November on that same basis. But imports swelled as well, up +14.1% in December. This resulted in a much larger merchandise trade deficit for the month however.
Equity markets have opened in New York drifting unchanged for the S&P500. Earnings season is about to start and there is a collective holding of breath for that. Overnight, European markets were up, mostly by about +1.0%, and making back some of Monday's retreat. Yesterday, things were much more negative in Asian markets with Shanghai down a sharp -1.5%, Hong Kong was down much more by -2.6% while the very large Tokyo market was down -1.0%. In Australia, they were on holiday yesterday, while the NZX50 Capital Index shed -0.5%.
The latest global compilation of COVID-19 data is here. The global tally is rising faster, now at 99,866,000 and up +520,000 in one day. We are virtually at 100 mln mainly because the UK variant is increasing its grip, and other variants are emerging too. It is still very grim everywhere except in our region. Global deaths reported now exceed 2,145,000 and +13,000 since yesterday. Only a few countries have started their vaccination programs. And although 68.4 mln doses have been given so far (+2.4 mln in a day), nowhere is the tide turned on infections or deaths yet - except perhaps in Israel, and maybe in the US.
But the largest number of reported cases globally are still in the US, which rose +151,000 over the past day for their tally to reach 25,875,000. The US remains the global epicentre of the virus. The number of active cases rose overnight and is now just on 9,821,000 and +63,000 less than yesterday, so more recoveries than new infections. Their death total is up to 432,000 however (+2000). The US now has a COVID death rate of 1301/mln, awful but made to look 'good' by the disastrous UK level (1471) where deaths are still raging.
In Australia, their community outbreak is back well under control. That takes their all-time cases reported to 28,780, and only +3 more cases overnight, all new arrivals and all in managed isolation. 115 of these cases are 'active' (-7). Reported deaths are unchanged at 909.
The UST 10yr yield will start today down -1 bp at just under 1.04%. Their 2-10 rate curve is unchanged at +92 bps, their 1-5 curve is now at +33 bps, and their 3m-10 year curve is marginally steeper at +99 bps. The Australian Govt 10 year yield is unchanged at 1.03%. The China Govt 10 year yield is up +3 bps at 3.19%, while the New Zealand Govt 10 year yield is down -3 bps at 1.04%.
The price of gold will start -US$3 today at US$1853/oz.
Oil prices are softer by -50 USc at just over US$52/bbl in the US while the international price is now just under US$55.50/bbl.
And the Kiwi dollar will open firmer again at just under 72.3 USc. Against the Australian dollar we are unchanged at 93.4 AUc. Against the euro we are now up at 59.5 euro cents. That means our TWI-5 is up at 73.6.
The bitcoin price has meandered over the past 24 hours and is now at US$32,262 or -4.6% lower since this time yesterday. Volatility has been a relatively high +/- 5.4%. The bitcoin rate is charted in the exchange rate set below.
The easiest place to stay up with event risk today is by following our Economic Calendar here ».
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