In April, United States economists were somewhat alarmed by the findings of the BLS’ “The Employment Situation – March 2012” report, which found that only 120,000 positions had been added to the national economy in March. But, a majority of economists remained cautiously optimistic as they forecasted April’s jobs report findings. Unfortunately, in spite of economists’ optimism, job creation stalled even more last month, leaving many economists uncertain about the nation’s future employment situation.

On the other hand, the United States’ neighbors to the north, Canada, and to the south, Mexico, appear to be more economically stable. Inflation has decreased in both countries in recent months, while their monetary policies have remained unchanged in years. But did either of those trends end in April? And are there any signs that they will shift this summer?

Canada:
For the 20^th consecutive month, the Bank of Canada retained the nation’s overnight target rate at one percent in April. Two of the Bank’s other inflation measurements, the bank rate and the deposit rate, were also unchanged last month, holding steady at 1.25 and 0.75 percent, respectively. Although inflation remains above average, a majority of Canadian economists do not believe the overnight target rate will be raised or lowered this summer. Even so, the Bank will continue to monitor the nation’s economic progress, to determine whether or not there are any signs the economy will encounter a double-dip recession later this year.

In the meantime, Canada’s most recent Ivey Purchasing Managers’ Index figures have also been published. According to the Index, the dollar value of purchasing managers’ purchases dropped for the second straight month in April, from 63.5 to 52.7, the lowest index that has been recorded in 2012. Two of the index’s four sub-indices also decreased from March to April, including employment and suppliers. Nonetheless, three of the index’s sub-indices were still measured at 50 or higher, signifying that a majority of firms had more purchases in April than in March. The index is now 13.8 points lower than it was in February, when it rose to an 11-month high.

Mexico:
During the first full week of May, Banco de Mexico released the nation’s latest underlying inflation statistics concerning the month of April, and, as expected, year-to-year inflation declined for the third successive month. According to the bank’s measurements, inflation rose by 3.4 percent from April 2011 to April 2012, a three percent decrease when compared to March’s year-ago change. Since January, total, year-to-year inflation has diminished by 0.6 percent. The bank’s “underlying inflation – goods” and “underlying inflation – services” measurements have also dropped from January to April; however, the goods measurement remained unchanged from March to April.

Consequently, Banco de Mexico’s central bank rate lingered at 4.50 percent last month, the 33^rd straight month in which the rate has not risen or been lowered. Throughout that time span, the rate has remained well below the bank’s neutral nominal rate of 6.5 percent. As long as year-to-year inflation continues to either decline, or remain at or near its presently low level, economists do not believe the bank’s board of governors will consider lowering or raising the central bank rate during the second half of 2012.

US:
For more information, please visit www.workplaceeconomy.com.

Inflation continues to decline at a steady pace is a post from: Workplace Economy

Prior to the release of EMEA’s latest confidence, inflation, and employment figures, a majority of global economists were unsure of what to anticipate. After all, in spite of the region’s current economic recession, February and March’s employment and confidence data was more encouraging than it had been in months. Just as some economists doubted the region would recover from its double-dip recession in the near future, recent data indicated otherwise. As a result, some European economists believed slight job growth, as well as weakened inflation, would be noticed in the region for the third consecutive month.

But did such job growth trends actually continue in April? And, if so, which countries reported the most extensive economic progress? Is Europe, and the greater EMEA region, finally on the path towards full-fledged economic recovery after all?

Euro Zone:
Throughout the second half of 2011, the euro zone’s business and consumer confidence index generally followed a downward trend, falling from 105 in June to 98 in December. Unfortunately, the first four months of 2012 have been no exception either, as the index has remained well-below its long-term average of 100. In fact, with April’s most recent index measurement of 92.8, the index has now been documented at or below 94.4 since last September. Of note, four of the measurement’s five indices fell from March to April, including industrial, construction, consumer, and services. As the area’s mild recession continues, expect confidence levels to steadily decline this summer.

France:
For the first month since December 2010, France’s consumer confidence measurement rose to 88 in April, which is still well below its long-term average of 100. Since January, the measurement has increased by six basis points. Six of the measurement’s eight sub-indices also augmented from March to April, including past and future financial situations, past and future living standards, servings intentions, and unemployment outlook. Each of these sub-indices is also currently lower than their usual averages. As French employment remains low, economists are not presently anticipating a significant rise in consumer confidence anytime soon.

Italy:
In spite of Italy’s lingering economic recession, some economists projected the nation’s business confidence measurement would upturn from March to April. However, as can be expected, the country’s economic slump led to a weakening in business confidence, as the measurement fell from 92.1 to 89.5 in April. Despite such a sharp decline, two of the measurement’s three sub-indices, current orders and current inventories, remained unchanged last month, at -39 and one, respectively. -39 indicates that more French manufacturers reported a decline in orders than those who reported a rise. The production outlook sub index actually decreased from March to April, from 0 to -4, signifying that French manufacturing production will likely continue to drop.

Russia:
In early May, the Russian government released its latest inflation figures, which revealed that year-to-year consumer prices dropped from 3.7 percent in March to 3.6 percent in April. On a month-to-month basis, food, nonfood, and service prices all declined from March to April, by 0.2, 0.4, and 0.3 percent. Despite the nation’s weakening inflation, The Central Bank of the Russian Federation decided to retain its refinancing rate, overnight deposit rate, and overnight auction-based repurchase rate at eight, four, and 5.25 percent, respectively, for the month of May. Most economists believe all interest rates will remain unchanged this summer, even if inflation continues to decline, as is anticipated.

Spain:
It is hard to imagine that any other country within the euro zone has been as negatively impacted by 2008’s global recession as Spain. Not only is the nation currently enduring its second recession in four years, but its business confidence and employment levels have deteriorated to near-record lows. Since the second quarter of 2007, Spain’s unemployment rate has risen exponentially, climbing from eight to 24.4 percent this past quarter. The nation’s first quarter 2012 jobless rate, which was more than twice as high as the euro zone’s, is the highest that has been recorded since 1994. And, more than 5.6 million Spaniards are presently without work, the highest figures that have been verified in nearly 40 years.

Confidence and employment trends were unpredictable once again is a post from: Workplace Economy

Ever since the worldwide economic recession drew to a close in 2008, a series of untimely events have repeatedly shaken Asia Pacific’s financial infrastructure. From typhoons and earthquakes, to near record-breaking floods and citizen protests, one unpredictable event after another has threatened to hinder the region’s economic recovery.

Last month was no exception, as an 8.6-magnitude earthquake struck the coast of Indonesia on April 11th, leading to thousands of dollars in damage and hundreds of deaths and injuries. Surprisingly, the storm’s impact was not immediately felt within the region, as some nations’ inflation and unemployment levels decreased last month. Nevertheless, many economists fear the impact of Indonesia’s earthquake finally began to send tremors throughout Asia Pacific’s weakened economy in May, resulting in the following economic indicators.

Australia:
Just days after the release of the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ unexpectedly low first quarter inflation data, The Reserve Bank of Australia held its monthly policy board meeting on May 1st. During the meeting, board members decided to lower the country’s target cash rate for the first time since November 2011, from 4.25 to 3.75 percent. A decrease of such proportions has not been documented in years. In fact, from January to November 2011, the Bank retained its rate at 4.25 percent. However, a majority of Australian economists do not believe the rate will be lowered again for at least another six months.

China:
For the second consecutive month, China’s year-to-year Producer Price Index dropped in April. According to the National Bureau of Statistics of China, national producer prices declined by 0.3 percent from March 2011 to March 2012, the first year-to-year decrease reported in months. As recently as September 2011, prices had actually increased on a year-to-year basis by 6.5 percent. April’s data depicted an entirely different story though, as prices waned considerably, dropping by 0.7 percent, compared to April 2011’s statistics. Even so, many Chinese economists foresee a turnaround in inflation, as they have predicted prices will begin to increase this summer.

New Zealand:
According to Statistics New Zealand, the nation’s unemployment rate rose to 6.7 percent during the first quarter of 2012, after falling to 6.3 percent at the end of 2011. In all, 160,000 New Zealanders were unemployed from January to March, an increase of 5,000 residents, in comparison to first quarter 2011 data. Meanwhile, employment also upturned from January to March, leading to a steady increase in the nation’s labor force participation rate, which, at 68.8 percent, was the highest that has been recorded in months. More than 2.23 million New Zealanders were employed last quarter.

South Korea:
Prior to the release of South Korea’s first quarter GDP statistics, most Korean economists projected the nation’s real GDP would upturn from December 2011 to March 2012 by approximately 0.4 percent. After all, the country’s real GDP had only risen by 0.3 percent during the fourth quarter of 2011. However, as a surprise to many economists, the nation’s GDP data actually exceeded their expectations, rising by 0.9 percent from December 2011 to March 2012. According to the Korean Statistical Information Service, the exportation and importation of goods and services also increased on a quarterly basis, by 3.4 and 4.5 percent, respectively, after subsiding by 2.3 and three percent in December.

Vietnam:
Vietnam’s General Statistics Office has recently revealed that the nation recorded a substantial trade deficit in April, as exportation and importation growth slowed from April 2011 to April 2012, rising by only 15.6 and 0.8 percent, respectively. Back in March, the nation confirmed its second monthly trade surplus since January, as its trade balance rose by $424 million. In April, the surplus swiftly shifted to the largest deficit that had been documented since November 2011, down to $400 million. Still, export and import totals rose by 22.1 and 4.4 percent on a year-to-year basis, from January to April, respectively, bettering many economists’ projections.

Economic recovery remains sluggish is a post from: Workplace Economy

Once again, economists waited for the BLS report to determine if the unemployment data for April would be similar to that of March or if it would increase back to numbers seen in early 2012.

With the report showing a growth of 115,000 jobs overall and 130,000 added in the private sector, the report was close to that seen in March. Additionally, the unemployment rate fell to 8.1% which was attributed to people choosing to leave the job market.

According to the report, the nation’s labor force participation rate, which measures the total percentage of the population aged 16 or older that is currently employed, was 63.6 percent—a number that must improve in the future to truly assist in strengthening the economy.

While Mitt Romney, the potential Republican party nominee, shared his disapproval with the report, President Obama’s Council of Economic Advisers disagreed and pointed out that private employment rose by nearly 700,000 jobs during the first quarter of 2012, the largest quarterly increase in six years. And, more than 820,000 private sector jobs have been created.

“Manufacturing continues to [also] be a bright spot,” said Alan Krueger, chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers. “After losing millions of good manufacturing jobs in the years before and during the recession, the economy has added 489,000 manufacturing jobs since January 2010.”

Krueger concluded, “Despite adverse shocks that have created headwinds for economic growth the economy has [also] added private sector jobs for 26 straight months, for a total of 4.25 million payroll jobs over that period.”

Another month of similar job numbers is a post from: Workplace Economy

According to the BLS’ most recently published “Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment” report, which was released on May 2nd, joblessness continued to decease within a majority of the United States’ metropolitan areas in March.Overall, 342 of the nation’s 372 metro areas reported lower unemployment rates in March 2012 than in March 2011.

Only 16 metro areas recorded higher unemployment rates this past March than in March 2011, while 14 areas did not document any change in joblessness whatsoever. In the meantime, a majority of the nation’s urban areas, nearly one-third in all, had unemployment rates of seven percent or below, while 54 metro areas reported jobless rates above the national average.

As always, two of these 54 areas, El Centro, Calif., and Yuma, Ariz., recorded the country’s highest unemployment rates, at 26.2 and 23.8 percent, respectively. Meanwhile, three areas – Bismarck, N.D., Lincoln, Neb., and Midland, Texas – documented the nation’s lowest unemployment rates, at 3.5, 3.7, and 3.7 percent, respectively, roughly five percent lower than the national unemployment rate of 8.1%.

Additional regional insights were as follows:

Source: BLS

• Mid–Atlantic: According to recently released data, the greater Baltimore area’s Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) and Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) each rose by 2.8 percent from March 2011 to March 2012. (Link)
• Midwest: Since January 2012, Sandusky, Ohio’s jobless rate has dropped by two percentage points, all the way down to 8.4 percent in March. Hiring also rose within many industries, including manufacturing. (Link)
• Mountain-Plains: Approximately 79,400 Kansas City residents were unemployed in March, as the city’s jobless rate was measured at 7.6 percent. Since October, Kansas City’s unemployment rate has hovered between 7.2 and 7.7 percent. (Link)
• New England:From March 2011 to March 2012, Manchester, N.H.’s CPI-U and CPI-W each increased by 1.8 percent, while the city’s unemployment rate dwindled from 5.7 percent in February to 5.5 percent in March. (Link)
• New York–New Jersey: On a year-to-year basis, the greater Newark, N.J., area’s CPI-U and CPI-W rose by 2.6 and 2.7 percent in March, while the city’s unemployment rate fell to nine percent. (Link)
• Southeast: Since October 2011, the greater Charlotte, N.C., area’s jobless rate has typically lingered around 10.5 percent. However, as a surprise to local economists, the area’s unemployment rate suddenly dropped to 9.6 percent in March. (Link)
• Southwest: Employment within Santa Fe, N.M.’s finance and leisure and hospitality sectors rose by four and 14 percent, respectively, from March 2011 to March 2012, as hiring increased within a majority of the city’s industries. (Link)
• West: According to recently published data, the greater Portland, Ore., area’s jobless rate was verified at 8.3 percent in March, a 0.4 percent decrease when compared to January’s unemployment statistics. In all, nearly 100,000 residents were unemployed. (Link)

Year-to-year joblessness continued to fall within a majority of metropolitan areas is a post from: Workplace Economy

On May 4^th, the BLS released its most recent “The Employment Situation” report, which revealed that, for the second consecutive month, private sector hiring was not nearly as extensive in April as it was in January and February. According to the report, month-to-month hiring continued to drop in sectors such the federal government, while many other industries, such as accounting and finance, reported very minute increases in hiring.

Still, the report showed positive elements as several industries, including the following, recorded considerable hiring advancements last month.

• Healthcare: Overall, 19,000 healthcare jobs were created in April, the lowest total that has been documented thus far in 2012. Nevertheless, hiring was quite pertinent within the ambulatory healthcare services sector, which generated 15,400 new jobs.
• Leisure and Hospitality: Last month, the industry added 12,000 new jobs to the economy. More than 13.6 million professionals were employed within the sector, as of April 30^th.
• Manufacturing: 16,000 professionals were hired in the sector with fabricated metal products and machinery positions continuing to be plentiful, as evidenced by last month’s report, which found that each sector added 6,000 and 5,000 new jobs to the economy, respectively.
• Professional and Business Services: Hiring within the professional and business services industry doubled in April, when compared to March’s employment data. As a whole, hiring augmented by 62,000 last month; it has risen by nearly 1.5 million since September 2009.
• Retail Trade: Many economists were surprised to see employment uptick last month in the sector, rising just over 29,000 jobs, the largest increase of 2012.

Private sector hiring doesn’t perform as well as hoped is a post from: Workplace Economy

During the last week of April, the U.S. Department of Commerce released its latest report concerning first quarter 2012 economic growth projections. Its findings showed that the national gross domestic product (GDP) likely only increased by 2.2 percent from January to March.

With a 2012 GDP projection of 2.5 percent, many economists anticipated the economy would generate about 135,000 jobs on a monthly basis. At such a pace, the 8.8 million jobs lost between February 2008 and January 2010, would likely not be recovered for at least another three to eight years.

So what lies ahead for the nation’s unemployed? To begin, the United States must add about 125,000 jobs each month to keep up with population growth.

Interestingly enough, the United States is now producing more goods and services that it did at the start of the recession in December 2007, but is doing so with about five million less workers. When examining this level of productivity—employers doing more with a smaller staff—some experts have begun to wonder if there is an overall shift in the workforce beginning to take place, and whether we should reconsider that ‘healthy’ employment now looks like.

The figures have also concerned President Barack Obama and his team of economists. While speaking in Virginia last Friday, the day in which the BLS’ latest “The Employment Situation” report was released, Obama stated, “We’ve got to do more. My message to Congress is going to be, ‘Just saying no to ideas that will create jobs is not an option.’ ”

Alan Krueger, chairman of the White House Council of Economic Advisers, agreed.

“Given the problems the economy has had over the past decade, we need faster growth,” said Krueger. “We need to do more, which is why the President has laid out his blueprint for an American economy that will continue to urge Congress to act to do more to grow the economy.”

Only time will tell whether or not the President’s economic blueprint will eventually lead to the creation of more jobs.

In the world

Where is the economy headed? is a post from: Workplace Economy

From December 2011 to February 2012, job growth was quite extensive within the United States, as a wide range of industries reported hiring increases. During that three-month time span alone, 246,000 jobs, on average, were added to the nation’s economy each month.

Yet, unfortunately, the hiring streak diminished last month without warning, as only 120,000 positions were generated in March, according to the BLS’ latest “The Employment Situation” report.

On the other hand, Canadian employment actually upturned last month, despite the nation’s previously disheartening labor force survey findings, which revealed that national employment had dropped four of the last seven months. Meanwhile, the United States’ southern border neighbor, Mexico, continued to release encouraging economic data, as national inflation declined once again.

Canada:
As an absolute surprise to a majority of Canadian economists, Statistics Canada’s latest labor force survey featured a variety of positive employment statistics. First, according to the survey, approximately 82,300 new positions were added to the national economy last month; in comparison, the economy actually lost 2,800 jobs in February.

In addition, the national unemployment rate declined for the second successive month, from 7.4 percent in February to 7.2 percent in March – the lowest jobless rate that has been documented since September 2011. Of the 82,300 jobs generated, 70,000 gains had occurred in full-time employment. In contrast, only 9,100 full-time jobs were added to the economy in February. As a result of such encouraging findings, many Canadian economists are more optimistic about the nation’s future employment forecast now than they have been since last autumn.

Nevertheless, Canada’s economic data was not positive in every regard last month. In fact, for the first time since October 2011, the nation’s month-to-month Purchasing Managers’ Index dropped in March, all the way down to 63.5. The considerable decline was quite unexpected, especially when one realizes that February’s index of 66.5 was the highest that has been recorded since March 2011. Further decreases were also noted in regards to each of the index’s sub-indices, including employment, inventories, suppliers, and prices. Yet, only two of the sub-indices were lower than 50, a sign that, for the most part, many organizations still documented more purchases in March than in February.

Mexico:
In early April, the Banco de Mexico released its most recent inflation figures, which revealed that the nation’s year-to-year Consumer Price Index (CPI) had declined for the third straight month in March. According to the data, from March 2011 to March 2012, Mexico’s CPI rose by roughly 3.7 percent, a reduction of 0.3 percent, in comparison to January’s finalized CPI statistics.

The Banco de Mexico also found that total underlying inflation increased by 3.8 percent from March 2011 to March 2012, while underlying inflation for goods and services augmented by 4.5 and 3.1 percent, respectively, during the same time period. Consequently, as economists look ahead to the coming summer months, most are anticipating the nation’s year-to-year CPI will remain within the bank’s inflation target of two to four percent.

Nevertheless, despite recent declines in inflation, many economists and government officials also believe national inflation figures will begin to rise in the near future, as the country prepares for this summer’s presidential election. Featuring candidates like Andrés Manuel López Obrador and Enrique Peña Nieto, the election will be held on July 1^st in order to determine who replaces President Felipe Calderón, who is currently serving his final term.

US:
For more information, please visit www.workplaceeconomy.com.

Employment trends remained unpredictable in March is a post from: Workplace Economy

For the second straight month, EMEA’s latest financial figures were, for the most part, unexpectedly encouraging, as business, consumer, and investor confidence rose in March in countries such as France, Germany, and Italy. At the same time, year-to-year inflation data also declined on a monthly basis in some European nations.

Still, many global economists fear the region’s financial future may be in jeopardy, as the value of the euro continues to depreciate, while many nations’ double-dip recessions have left millions of citizens without work. Countries like Italy, Portugal, and Spain still have remarkably high unemployment rates. And, of course, Greece has now been bailed out by the Euro Zone twice, most recently in March, as citizen protests continued to proliferate.

In spite of such fiscal and social instability, the following economic indicators, most of which were positive, were released last month.

Euro Zone:
According to Eurostat’s recently released preliminary Consumer Price Index (CPI) statistics, which were published in late March, year-to-year consumer price growth slowed slightly last month. From March 2011 to March 2012, the Euro Zone’s CPI data rose by 2.6 percent, a 0.1 percent decrease, when compared to February’s CPI figures. To date, the region’s CPI is higher than the European Central Bank’s target of two percent, but inflation may continue to decrease as a result of the Euro Zone’s current economic recession. Present global economists’ predictions, concerning the region’s year-long inflation rate variations, range from 1.8 to 2.7 percent.

France:
Last month, France’s business confidence survey composite indicator rose from 92 to 93, which was seven points below its long-term average of 100. However, the indicator did augment in March, up to 96, signifying that businesses’ purchases likely increased on a month-to-month basis, despite the nation’s current economic recession. Nonetheless, the composite indicator has lingered below 100 for seven consecutive months and, since Europe’s financial crisis is not expected to weaken in the near future, many economists do not believe confidence levels will rise above 100 before summer begins.

Germany:
In spite of Germany’s – and Europe’s – ongoing economic recession, the nation’s investor confidence measurement rose considerably from February to March. In fact, the measurement, known as the ZEW Indicator of Sentiment Balance of opinion, was recorded at its highest level in nearly two years, at 22.3. In all, the measurement had risen by 16.9 basis points from February to March. Global economists quickly pointed out the likely source of the remarkable increase – Europe’s approval of Greece’s €130 billion, and second, bailout package, which led to improved business confidence throughout the continent last month.

Italy:
For the fourth successive month, Italy’s consumer confidence measurement increased, according to the Italian Statistics Office (ISTAT). Back in December 2011, consumer confidence was measured at 91.9; it has now been measured at 96.8, which has exceeded a majority of economists’ projections. The steady increase is certainly welcomed. Last December’s measurement was the lowest that had been documented since 1995. In addition, the measurements’ sub-indices – economic, personal, current, and future – all rose from February to March.

United Kingdom:
As a further sign of Europe’s present economic predicaments, the United Kingdom’s house prices dropped in March – to the lowest values that have been recorded since 2010. Due to the nation’s recent dismissal of its stamp duty tax break for all first-time home buyers, of purchases worth £250,000 or less, average home prices were measured at £163,327 last month. Overall, prices plummeted by one percent from February to March and by 0.9 percent from March 2011 to March 2012. In comparison, month-to-month and year-to-year house prices had risen in February by 0.4 and 0.9 percent, respectively.

As Europe’s double-dip recession persisted, business, consumer, and investor confidence exceeded economists’ projections is a post from: Workplace Economy

Exceedingly high inflation rates. Mounting trade deficits.Depreciating monetary units. Since the beginning of the worldwide recession nearly five years ago, countries in the Asia Pacific region have been challenged by such economic issues over and over again. Consequently, global economists’ projections, regarding the region’s future economic outlook, have been quite dim. Last month was no exception, as a majority of economists anticipated continuous financial storms, despite February’s economic findings, which actually exceed economists’ expectations.

Yet, on the contrary, March’s recently released fiscal statistics were indeed positive, for the second straight month, as unemployment and inflation waned in some countries, while confidence levels continued to rise. Nevertheless, economists are still uncertain about Asia Pacific’s financial future, especially after the region’s most recent natural disaster – Indonesia’s 8.6-magnitude earthquake, which occurred on April 11^th, exactly one year and one month after Tohoku, Japan’s record-breaking earthquake.

As a result, two pertinent questions have been raised by many economists. What type of impact will Indonesia’s earthquake have on the region’s economic reclamation? And, will the region be able to withstand any more natural disasters and financial storms without falling back into a double-dip recession?

Australia:
For the second consecutive month, Australia’s national unemployment rate was measured at 5.2 percent in March. Overall, 11.4 million Australians were employed last month, an increase of 44,000 positions, in comparison to February’s employment data. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, both full-time and part-time employment rose in March, by 15,800 and 28,200, respectively. 8.08 million Australian residents were employed on a full-time basis, while 3.41 million citizens were working part-time. In addition, the country’s participation rate rose from 65.2 percent in February to 65.4 percent last month.

China:
Prior to the release of China’s latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) figures, many Chinese economists had projected that inflation would continue to deflate within the nation. After all, national inflation indicators had recently trended downward, as the country’s year-to-year CPI dropped from 4.5 percent in January to 3.2 percent in February. However, contrary to economists’ predictions, China’s year-to-year CPI surprisingly rose from February to March, up to 3.6 percent. Of equal importance, China’s year-to-year urban and rural consumer, food, and consumer goods prices also increased last month, when compared to February’s year-ago prices.

Indonesia:
At the beginning of 2012, Bank Indonesia lowered the nation’s central bank policy rate for the first time since November 2011, from six percent to 5.75 percent. Since then, the rate has remained unchanged, in spite of April 11^th’s 8.6-magnitude earthquake, which will likely cost the country millions of dollars in damage. Bank officials also retained the bank’s monetary operation for the overnight deposit facility, as well as the overnight lending facility, at 3.75 and 6.75 percent, respectively. Of interest, Indonesia inflation was measured at 3.97 percent in March, an increase of 0.41 percent, in comparison to January’s rate.

South Korea:
Since January, South Korea’s composite consumer sentiment index has risen by three points, from 98 to 101 in March. From February to March, two of the nation’s sentiment subcomponents – clothing and eating out – augmented, while durable goods purchases and spending plans measurements did not rise or fall, remaining at 108 and 92, respectively. Meanwhile, even though the country’s employment expectations and national household income measurements increased on a month-to-month basis, household debt and expected property values continued to dwindle in March.

Taiwan:
According to recently released trade figures, Taiwan’s exports and imports each diminished from March 2011 to March 2012, by 3.2 and 5.8 percent, respectively, despite exportation and importation increases in January and February. A majority of economists were not entirely shocked by the decreases though, considering the fact that the nation’s week-long Lunar New Year holiday likely interfered with the Taiwan National Statistics’ ability to correctly estimate month-to-month trade comparisons. Furthermore, Taiwan’s trade surplus declined from $2.8 billion in February to $2.4 billion in March, the first decrease documented since January.

Despite ongoing financial storms, inflation and unemployment continued to decline in March is a post from: Workplace Economy