UK Retail Sales for February decreased by 0.5% monthly and increased by 0.5% annualized. Economists predicted a decrease of 0.3% and an increase of 1.1%. Forex traders can compare this to UK Retail Sales for January, which increased by 1.8% monthly and 1.3% annualized. UK Retail Sales Including Auto and Fuel for February decreased by 0.3% monthly and were reported flat at 0.0% annualized. Economists predicted an increase of 0.2% and 0.7%. Forex traders can compare this to UK Retail Sales Including Auto and Fuel for January, which increased...
Shares of Walmart (NYSE: WMT), given the global instability, proved to be quite resilient to external factors. This year shares fell by only 3.8% compared to the S&P 500, which fell by 31%. While many retailers of goods have temporarily closed, grocery and household supplies of Walmart are in demand during the crisis, in physical stores, and on the Internet. This week the company even announced the creation of 150,000 new jobs. The reasons why Walmart is a solid long-term investment: Products and e-commerce. Although the weakness...
The New Zealand Trade Balance for February was reported at NZ$594M monthly and at -NZ$3,258M 12-month year-to-date. Economists predicted a figure of NZ$525M and of -NZ$3,418M. Forex traders can compare this to the New Zealand Trade Balance for January, which was reported at -NZ$414M monthly and at -NZ$3,946M 12-month year-to-date. Exports for February were reported at NZ$4.92B, and Imports were reported at NZ$4.33B. Economists predicted a figure of NZ$4.90B and NZ$4.30B. Forex traders can compare this to Exports for January, which were...
The shares of Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) fell in price by about 25%. Coronavirus began to spread in the Chinese city of Wuhan. As a result, many manufacturers in and around the region stopped operating. The stringent measures taken seem to have slowed the spread of the infection in the region. There are now more new cases of coronavirus outside China than inside the country. Apple is doing much of its assembly work in China, and restrictive measures have hampered production capacity. In addition, to reduce the spread of the virus, Apple has...
The Preliminary French Markit Manufacturing PMI for March was reported at 42.9. Economists predicted a figure of 40.0. Forex traders can compare this to the French Markit Manufacturing PMI for February, which was reported at 49.8. The Preliminary French Markit Services PMI for March was reported at 29.0. Economists predicted a figure of 42.0. Forex traders can compare this to the French Markit Services PMI for February, which was reported at 52.5. The Preliminary French Markit Composite PMI for March was reported at 30.2. Economists...