Forex News from InstaForex

**InstaForex Gertrude** · 17-08-18, 07:36

Malaysia's GDP Growth Slows In Q2

Malaysia's economic growth slowed to the weakest in more than a year in the second quarter, data from the Department of Statistics showed Friday.

Gross domestic product advanced 4.5 percent year-on-year, slower than the 5.4 percent expansion seen in the first quarter. A similar weaker growth was last seen in the fourth quarter of 2016.

On a quarterly basis, GDP climbed 0.3 percent versus 1.4 percent growth a quarter ago.

The production-side breakdown of GDP showed that service sector sustained 6.5 percent annual growth. Manufacturing grew moderately by 4.9 percent. At the same time, the expansion in construction slowed to 4.7 percent.

For the first half of 2018, Malaysia's GDP grew 4.9 percent from the same period of last year.

Another report from statistical office showed that Malaysia's current account surplus narrowed to MYR 3.9 billion from MYR 15.0 billion in the previous quarter.

This was the lowest since the second quarter of 2016. The lower surplus was largely attributable to the lower net exports of goods.

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**InstaForex Gertrude** · 20-08-18, 06:48

Thailand GDP On Tap For Monday

Thailand will on Monday release Q2 numbers for gross domestic product, highlighting a light day for Asia-Pacific economic activity.

GDP is expected to gain 1.0 percent on quarter and 4.5 percent on year, slowing from 2.0 percent on quarter and 4.8 percent on year in the three months prior.

Singapore will see Q2 figures for wholesale sales; in the first quarter, sales were up 5.7 percent on quarter and 6.6 percent on year.

Japan will provide July data for convenience store sales; in June, sales advanced 1.1 percent on year.

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**InstaForex Gertrude** · 22-08-18, 07:29

Japan All Industry Activity Falls As Expected In June

Japan's all industry activity decreased in June, in line with expectations, data from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry showed Wednesday.

The all industry activity index dropped 0.8 percent month-over-month in June, reversing a 0.1 percent increase in May.

Industrial production contracted 1.8 percent over the month and construction activity index slid by 2.5 percent. The tertiary activity registered a fall of 0.5 percent.

On a yearly basis, all industry activity growth slowed notably to 0.2 percent in June from 1.6 percent in the prior month.

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**InstaForex Gertrude** · 23-08-18, 07:08

Japan Manufacturing Sector Picks Up Steam In August - Nikkei

The manufacturing sector in Japan continued to expand in August, and at a faster rate, the latest survey from Nikkei revealed on Thursday with a manufacturing PMI score of 52.5.

That's up from 52.3 in July, and it moves farther above the boom-or-bust line of 50 that separates expansion from contraction.

Individually, input and output price inflation climbed to multi-year highs, while overall demand improved - although export orders failed to rise for a third straight month.

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**InstaForex Gertrude** · 24-08-18, 06:42

New Zealand Trade Deficit Biggest Since 2009

New Zealand logged its biggest annual trade deficit in nine years on higher imports, data from Statistics New Zealand showed Friday.

The annual trade deficit for the year ended July 2018 was NZ$4.4 billion, the widest annual deficit since March 2009.

Annual imports rose NZ$6.9 billion or 13 percent from last year to NZ$60.7 billion. At the same time, annual exports totaled NZ$56.2 billion, up NZ$5.7 billion or 11 percent on a year earlier.

"The rise in imports in the past year reflect large rises in both imports of petroleum and products, and in mechanical machinery and equipment," international statistics manager Tehseen Islam said. "Exports of dairy and meat products led the exports rise."

In July alone, the trade balance showed a deficit of NZ$143 million compared to a surplus of NZ$92 million a year ago.

Imports advanced 21 percent annually to NZ$5.5 billion, this was the second highest imports value ever. Exports rose 16 percent to NZ$5.3 billion.

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**InstaForex Gertrude** · 29-08-18, 08:32

Japan Consumer Confidence At 1-Year Low

Japan's consumer confidence weakened further in August to the lowest level in a year, survey data from the Cabinet Office showed Wednesday.

The seasonally adjusted consumer confidence index dropped to 43.3 in August from 43.5 in July.

Moreover, this was the lowest score since August last year, when it marked the same 43.3.

The sub-index for income growth fell to 41.8 in August from 42.2 in the previous month. Similarly, the component index for employment decreased from 48.0 to 47.7.

The gauge measuring willingness to buy durable goods worsened to 42.0 from 42.2, while the index for overall livelihood rose to 41.7 from 41.6.

The survey was conducted among 8,400 households on August 15.

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**InstaForex Gertrude** · 30-08-18, 07:03

Japan Retail Sales Gain 0.1% In July

Retail sales in Japan were up a seasonally adjusted 0.1 percent on month in July, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said on Thursday.

That missed expectations for an increase of 0.2 percent following the 1.5 percent spike in June.

On a yearly basis, retail sales climbed 1.5 percent - exceeding expectations for 1.2 percent and down from 1.8 percent in the previous month.

Sales from large retailers tumbled 1.6 percent on year, missing forecasts for a decline of 0.7 percent following the 1.5 percent jump a month earlier.

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**InstaForex Gertrude** · 31-08-18, 06:30

China Manufacturing PMI Rises To 51.3 In August

The manufacturing sector in China continued to expand in August, and at a slightly faster rate, the latest survey from the National Bureau of Statistics showed on Friday with a PMI score of 51.3.

That beat expectations for a score of 51.0 and was up from 51.2 in July.

The bureau also said that the non-manufacturing PMI came in at 54.2 - also exceeding expectations for 53.7 and up from 54.0 in the previous month.

The composite index had a score of 53.8, up from 53.6 a month earlier.

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**InstaForex Gertrude** · 03-09-18, 07:16

Japan Manufacturing Growth Improves In August

Japan's manufacturing growth improved slightly in August, final survey figures from IHS Markit showed Monday.

The Nikkei flash manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index, or PMI rose to 52.5 in August from 52.3 in July. That was in line with the flash data published on August 23.

Any reading above 50 indicates expansion in the sector.

In line with stronger inflows of new work, firms raised production and employment in August.

However, business sentiment dipped amid uncertainty arising from global geopolitics. On the price front, input price inflation remained sharp in August and selling prices grew at the fastest rate in almost ten years.

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**InstaForex Gertrude** · 05-09-18, 06:25

Australia GDP Rises 0.9% In Q2

Australia's gross domestic product expanded a seasonally adjusted 0.9 percent on quarter in the second quarter of 2018, the Australian Bureau of Statistics said on Wednesday.

That beat forecasts for a gain of 0.7 percent following the 1.0 percent gain in the three months prior.

On a yearly basis, GDP was up 3.4 percent - also exceeding forecasts for 2.9 percent and up from 3.1 percent in the previous three months.

Household final consumption expenditure increased 0.7 percent during the quarter, contributing 0.4 percentage points to GDP growth.

"Growth in domestic demand accounts for over half the growth in GDP, and reflected strength in household expenditure," Chief Economist for the ABS, Bruce Hockman, said.

General government final consumption expenditure increased 1.0 percent in the June quarter. Public investment remained at elevated levels reflecting continued work on infrastructure projects across the nation.

Investment in new dwellings increased 3.6 percent for the quarter. with strength observed in Victoria and South Australia. This strength was reflected in the Construction industry, which grew 1.9 percent for the quarter.

Compensation of employees increased by 0.7 percent, while net exports contributed 0.1 percentage points to GDP growth.

The terms of trade fell 1.3 percent on quarter but advanced 2.0 percent on year.

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**InstaForex Gertrude** · 06-09-18, 07:27

Australia's Trade Surplus Falls In July

Australia's trade surplus decreased in July, the Australian Bureau of Statistics reported Thursday.

The trade surplus fell to a seasonally adjusted A$1.55 billion in July from A$1.94 billion in June. Nonetheless, this was above the expected level of A$1.45 billion.

Data showed that exports dropped 1 percent from the previous month, while imports remained broadly unchanged in July.

Export growth is likely to slow further through the second half of the year given the bulk of Australia's major LNG, iron ore and coal mines are now approaching output capacity and scope for further marginal increases appears limited, Tom Kennedy, an economist at J.P. Morgan, said.

As a result, the net export contribution to real GDP growth is expected to fade and become neutral by end-2018, the economist added.

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**InstaForex Gertrude** · 07-09-18, 07:01

Malaysia's Industrial Output Growth Improves

Malaysia's industrial production growth accelerated more-than-expected in July, the Department of Statistics reported Friday.

Industrial output grew 2.6 percent year-on-year in July, faster than June's 1.1 percent increase. Output was expected to climb 1.4 percent.

The growth in July was supported by a 5.2 percent increase in manufacturing and a 4.5 percent rise in electricity. Meanwhile, mining output logged a decline of 5.9 percent. On a monthly basis, industrial production advanced 2.6 percent, reversing a 1 percent drop in June.

Another report from the statistical office showed that manufacturing sales expanded 9.6 percent from last year to MYR 70 billion in July.

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**InstaForex Gertrude** · 12-09-18, 07:37

Australia's Consumer Sentiment Deteriorates In September

Australia's consumer confidence deteriorated in September reflecting political instability and rises in mortgage interest rates, data from Westpac showed Wednesday.

The Westpac Melbourne Institute Index of Consumer Sentiment declined 3 percent to 100.5 in September. This was weakest since November last year.

Although the index remained in positive territory, the reading was just above the 100 level.

Data suggested that confidence has been affected by increases in mortgage interest rates, political instability and household budget pressures.

All sub-indices recorded declines in September with the 'economic outlook, next 5 years' showing the biggest move, a 5.8 percent decrease.

Consumer views around family finances remained notably weaker. The 'finances vs a year ago' and 'finances, next 12 months' sub-indexes both registered 3.6 percent falls in September.

Westpac said aside from the rise in mortgage interest rates, household budgets were also coming under persistent pressure from slow growth in wages, declining house prices in Sydney and Melbourne and the rising cost of petrol.

Further, data showed that consumers remained relatively downbeat on spending. The 'time to buy a major household item' sub-index declined 2.2 percent in September.

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**InstaForex Gertrude** · 13-09-18, 07:18

Japan Core Machine Orders Surge 11.0% In July

Core machine orders in Japan were up a seasonally adjusted 11.0 percent on month in July, the Cabinet Office said on Thursday - coming in at 918.6 billion yen.

That beat expectations for a gain of 5.5 percent following the 8.8 percent slide in June.

On a yearly basis, core machine orders jumped 13.9 percent - also exceeding forecasts for 4.3 percent after adding 0.3 percent in the previous month.

The overall value of machine orders in Japan spiked 18.8 percent on month and 11.5 percent on year, standing at 2,630.4 billion yen.

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**InstaForex Gertrude** · 14-09-18, 07:07

New Zealand Manufacturing Growth Remains Weak

New Zealand's manufacturing sector activity remained in low gear for the third consecutive month in August, survey data showed Friday.

The BNZ-BusinessNZ performance of manufacturing index rose 0.8 points to 52.0 in August. Although the indicator remained above 50.0, it was below the long run average of 53.4. At 52.6, production returned to expansion and the new orders sub-index rose to 53.2. Meanwhile, the employment sub-indicator fell back into contraction to its lowest since August 2016. The corresponding reading was 48.1.

BNZ Senior Economist, Craig Ebert said that "although the PMI improved in August, this was hardly different to the average of the previous two months, leaving the PMI running below normal in its growth signal".

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**InstaForex Gertrude** · 17-09-18, 07:00

UK Household Finance Index Remains Close To Record High

UK households' perceptions of financial wellbeing remained close to survey-high in September, data from IHS Markit showed Monday.

The household finance index held steady at 45.9 in September, which was the second highest score since the survey began in February 2009.

Household finances were underpinned by improved earnings from employment and favorable labor market conditions.

UK households' outlook regarding future budgets strengthened in September. Moreover, income from employment increased in September.

At the same time, job security perceptions deteriorated, in contrast to the generally upbeat signal from the current and future household finance assessements.

Although expectations of further inflation were sustained in September, the proportion of households anticipating rising living costs was the lowest since November 2016, data showed.

"The HFI survey pointed to the second-lowest level of pessimism about future finances since the EU referendum," Joe Hayes, an economist at IHS Markit, said.

Nonetheless, the latest survey still raised some concerns about the outlook for consumer spending, Hayes added.

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**InstaForex Gertrude** · 18-09-18, 06:14

Australia House Prices Slide 0.7% In Q2

House prices in Australia were down 0.7 percent on quarter in the second quarter of 2018, the Australian Bureau of Statistics said on Tuesday - in line with expectations and unchanged from the three months prior.

The capital city residential property price indexes fell in Sydney (-1.2 percent), Melbourne (-0.8 percent), Perth (-0.1 percent) and Darwin (-0.9 percent), and rose in Brisbane (+0.7 percent), Hobart (+3.0 percent), Adelaide (+0.3 percent) and Canberra (+0.6 percent).

On a yearly basis, house prices dipped 0.6 percent versus expectations for a loss of 0.7 percent after rising 2.0 percent in Q1.

Annually, residential property prices fell in Darwin (-6.1 percent), Sydney (-3.9 percent) and Perth (-0.9 percent), and rose in Hobart (+15.5 percent), Canberra (+3.0 percent), Melbourne (+2.3 percent), Adelaide (+2.1 percent) and Brisbane (+1.7 percent).

The total value of residential dwellings in Australia was A$6,926,538.0 million at the end of the June quarter 2018, falling A$13,321.1 million over the quarter.

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**IFX Yvonne** · 19-09-18, 08:42

Malaysia's Inflation Eases More Than Forecast

Malaysia's inflation eased more-than-expected in August on fuel cost, figures from the Department of Statistics showed Wednesday.

Consumer price inflation slowed to 0.2 percent in August, the lowest rate within 42 months, the statistical office said. The rate was expected to drop to 0.4 percent from 0.9 percent in July.

The slowdown was largely driven by cost of fuel which caused the index of transport to rise 2.1 percent compared to the 6.7 percent increase logged in July.

Also, prices of housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels advanced 2 percent, education by 1.1 percent and food and non-alcoholic beverages rose 0.4 percent, contributing to the increase in annual inflation.

On a monthly basis, consumer prices gained 0.2 percent. During January to August, consumer prices registered an annual growth of 1.3 percent.

**InstaForex Gertrude** · 26-09-18, 07:13

New Zealand Has NZ$1.484 Billion Trade Deficit

New Zealand had a record merchandise trade deficit of NZ$1.484 billion in August, Statistics New Zealand said on Wednesday - representing 37 percent of exports.

That missed forecasts for a shortfall of NZ$925 million following the revised deficit of NZ$196 million in July (originally -NZ$143 million).

The average monthly deficit in August over the last five years was NZ$1.0 billion. "This month's rise in imports to near record levels occurs at the time of year when exports are typically at a low point," international statistics manager Tehseen Islam said. Exports were up 9.9 percent on year in August to NZ$4.05 billion - missing forecasts for NZ$4.40 billion and down sharply from NZ$5.34 billion in the previous month.

The leading contributor to the rise was meat products and edible offal, up NZ$137 million (43 percent). This increase was led by sheep meat (up NZ$83 million or 55 percent) and beef (up NZ$45 million or 31 percent).

"New Zealand is exporting more beef and lamb, and getting better prices too," Islam said.

Dairy products were up NZ$80 million (17 percent), led by an increase in butter and other milk fats, up NZ$63 million.

Imports jumped an annual 14.0 percent to NZ$5.54 billion versus expectations for NZ$5.50 billion - roughly unchanged from the previous month.

The leading contributor to the imports rise was petroleum and products, up NZ$186 million (50 percent) from last year. This increase was led by crude oil (up NZ$98 million) and diesel (up NZ$73 million).

Imports of crude oil and other petroleum products tend to fluctuate from month to month. The quantity of crude oil imported in August 2018 fell 13 percent from August 2017, but prices rose by about 60 percent.

The latest unit price for crude oil remains 31 percent lower than the most-recent series peak in May 2012. Imports of vehicles, parts, and accessories also rose in August 2018, up NZ$55 million.

Imports of buses, cars, and trucks all had similar contributions to this rise.

The annual trade deficit was NZ$4.8 billion in August 2018, up from NZ$3.1 billion in August 2017.

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**InstaForex Gertrude** · 28-09-18, 06:34

Japan Industrial Production Adds 0.7% In August

Industrial production in Japan was up 0.7 percent on month in August, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications said in Friday's preliminary reading.

That was shy of forecasts for an increase of 1.4 percent following the 0.1 percent decline in July.

On a yearly basis, industrial production added 0.6 percent - again missing forecasts for an increase of 1.5 percent and down sharply from 2.2 percent in the previous month.

Upon the release of the data, the METI's assessment of industrial production was that it is "picking up slowly but shows signs of decrease in part."

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