BT Three Minute Markets Update

Chris Caton's 17 May 2013 update

InternetContent@btfinancialgroup.com (BT Digital) — Fri, 17 May 2013 06:35:00 +1000

We'll start flat. Europe did nothing but US fell: Dow -0.3%, S&P -0.5% as jobless claims rose and housing starts fell 16%.

Chris Caton's 16 May 2013 update

InternetContent@btfinancialgroup.com (BT Digital) — Thu, 16 May 2013 06:40:00 +1000

US industrial production fell 0.5% but home building rose, cheering markets: FTSE +0.1%, DAX +0.3%, Dow 0.4%, S&P 0.5%

Chris Caton's 15 May 2013 update

InternetContent@btfinancialgroup.com (BT Digital) — Wed, 15 May 2013 06:35:00 +1000

We'll start well as we survived the budget and overseas markets were higher: FTSE +0.8%, DAX +0.7%, SP +1%, Dow +0.8%

Chris Caton's 14 May 2013 update

InternetContent@btfinancialgroup.com (BT Digital) — Tue, 14 May 2013 06:35:00 +1000

Almost nothing happened despite retail sales +0.1%, held down by falling gasoline prices. FTSE +0.1%, DAX flat, S&P flat, Dow -0.2%

Chris Caton's 13 May 2013 update

InternetContent@btfinancialgroup.com (BT Digital) — Mon, 13 May 2013 07:15:00 +1000

We'll start +0.2% with the AUD at USD1.002 - falling below parity briefly on Friday - FTSE +0.5%, DAX +0.2%, SP +0.4% (+1.2% week), Dow +0.2%

Chris Caton's 10 May 2013 update

InternetContent@btfinancialgroup.com (BT Digital) — Fri, 10 May 2013 07:15:00 +1000

No direction for ASX today: FTSE and DAX +0.1%, SP -0.4%, Dow -0.1%, but still above 15,000.

Chris Caton's 8 May 2013 update

InternetContent@btfinancialgroup.com (BT Digital) — Wed, 8 May 2013 06:25:00 +1000

We'll be up +0.5% with a positive due to policy boosting in Australia and Japan, with our rate cut : Nikkei +3.5% - but had been closed on Monday, FTSE +0.5%, DAX +0.9%, S&P +0.5%, Dow +0.6%.

Chris Caton's 7 May 2013 update

InternetContent@btfinancialgroup.com (BT Digital) — Tue, 7 May 2013 06:25:00 +1000

We may start +0.25% despite no economic or company news, but the RBA board meets today. FTSE closed, DAX -0.1%, S&P +0.2%, Dow flat.

Chris Caton's 6 May 2013 update

InternetContent@btfinancialgroup.com (BT Digital) — Mon, 6 May 2013 06:10:00 +1000

Another good session, FTSE +0.9%, DAX +0.2%, Dow and S&P +1% - US had a surprisingly good labour market report, +165,000 jobs (concensus expecting +150,000), previous month revised up as well.

Chris Caton's 3 May 2013 update

InternetContent@btfinancialgroup.com (BT Digital) — Fri, 3 May 2013 06:10:00 +1000

We could be up +0.5% at the opening after a good night: FTSE +0.1%, DAX +0.6%, Dow and S&P +0.9% after the European Central Bank cut bench rate by 25 basis points and suggested implementing a negative interest rate.

Chris Caton's 2 May 2013 update

InternetContent@btfinancialgroup.com (BT Digital) — Thu, 2 May 2013 07:30:00 +1000

We'll be down; US April Manufacturing ISM fell and construction spending down leading to a weak night: both indices US -0.9%, FTSE -0.33% with most trading closed.

Chris Caton's 1 May 2013 update

InternetContent@btfinancialgroup.com (BT Digital) — Wed, 1 May 2013 07:30:00 +1000

We should start well today, AUD at USD 1.037 after a mixed night, S&P +0.25% (closing at an all-time record high, up 12% this year) Dow +0.1%, FTSE -0.4%, DAX +0.5%.

Chris Caton's 29 April 2013 update

InternetContent@btfinancialgroup.com (BT Digital) — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 10:30:00 +1000

US Q1 GDP increased 2.5% (forecast ~ 3%), held back by government spending, and inflation is lower than necessary to hit fiscal targets. Uniformly negative: FTSE -0.25%, DAX -0.2%, SP -0.2%, Dow bucked the trend: +0.1%

Chris Caton's 26 April 2013 update

InternetContent@btfinancialgroup.com (BT Digital) — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 07:00:00 +1000

We're set for another gain at the opening. US durable goods orders fell, mainly due to aircraft, so core orders rose. Weekly jobless claims showed a small fall. FTSE +0.2%, DAX +1%, SP +0.4%, Dow +0.2%.

Chris Caton's 24 April 2013 update

InternetContent@btfinancialgroup.com (BT Digital) — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 07:00:00 +1000

We'll be up +1% after a good night everywhere: FTSE +2%, DAX +2.4%, and better else: Bourse +3.6%. US opened up and stayed up, due to earnings reports: SP and Dow +1%.

Chris Caton's 23 April 2013 update

InternetContent@btfinancialgroup.com (BT Digital) — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 07:00:00 +1000

We'll be off to a handy start this morning despite a quiet session overseas: FTSE -0.1%, DAX +0.2%, S&P +0.5%, Dow +0.1%

Chris Caton's 22 April 2013 update

InternetContent@btfinancialgroup.com (BT Digital) — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 07:00:00 +1000

We'll start well although the dollar fell slightly in a quiet session. FTSE +0.7%, DAX -0.2%, S&P +0.9%, Dow +0.1% - Microsoft and Google had big gains in earnings, but they're not on the Dow, IBM is, and had poor earnings.

Chris Caton's 19 April 2013 update

InternetContent@btfinancialgroup.com (BT Digital) — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 07:50:00 +1000

We'll be down but not much as we fell yesterday. The weak week continues - FTSE flat, DAX -0.4%, SP -0.7%, Dow -0.6%, for the week: -3% and -2.2% respectively, due to poor earnings from Ebay and weak economic data.

Andrew Dowie's 18 April 2013 update

InternetContent@btfinancialgroup.com (BT Digital) — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 07:10:00 +1000

The Fed's Beige Book from Wednesday showed moderate growth of the US economy, an improvement from the previous Beige Book.

Chris Caton's 17 April 2013 update

InternetContent@btfinancialgroup.com (BT Digital) — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 07:00:00 +1000

The attack in Boston had no effect on markets. Not a bad night, but Europe was still down: FTSE -0.6%, DAX -0.4%; US rose, higher all day: Dow +1.1%, SP +1.4% - not quite recovering everything from the day before. AUD has recovered in line with gold.

Chris Caton's 16 April 2013 update

InternetContent@btfinancialgroup.com (BT Digital) — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 07:25:00 +1000

We'll be -1.25% at the opening after a poor night due to the Q1 GDP growth for China being less than expect (7.7%, down from 7.9% but consensus expected 8%). FTSE -0.6%, DAX -0.4%, US had the worst single day since 7 November: SP -2.3%, Dow -1.8%. We were saved slightly by the dollar falling, AUD now USD 1.03.

Chris Caton's 15 April 2013 update

InternetContent@btfinancialgroup.com (BT Digital) — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 07:00:00 +1000

A down night to end the week: FTSE -0.5%, DAX -1.6%, S&P -0.3%, Dow flat - due to dispappointing US retail sales for March.

Chris Caton's 12 April 2013 update

InternetContent@btfinancialgroup.com (BT Digital) — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 07:55:00 +1100

We'll be up after another positive session overnight: FTSE +0.4%, DAX +0.8%, S&P and Dow +0.4% and another record high.

Chris Caton's 11 April 2013 update

InternetContent@btfinancialgroup.com (BT Digital) — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 06:40:00 +1000

We'll be buoyed by good night, best for some time, FT +1.2%, DAX +2.3%, SP +1.2%, Dow +0.9% - maybe due to strong data from China, maybe to the positive FOMC release.

Chris Caton's 10 April 2013 update

InternetContent@btfinancialgroup.com (BT Digital) — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 06:40:00 +1000

We'll be helped by a mostly positive night overseas due to the Chinese inflation announcement: FTSE +0.6%, DAX -0.3%, S&P and Dow +0.4%; Dow at yet another all time closing high.

Chris Caton's 9 April 2013 update

InternetContent@btfinancialgroup.com (BT Digital) — Tue, 9 Apr 2013 06:35:00 +1000

We should be +0.3% with US up last night after starting flat Dow +0.3%, S&P +0.3%, FTSE also up: +0.4%.

Chris Caton's 8 April 2013 update

InternetContent@btfinancialgroup.com (BT Digital) — Mon, 8 Apr 2013 07:00:00 +1000

All significant European markets down more than 1%, US slumped early then rose all day but never made it back to the start, all due to a poor US employment report. S&P -0.4%, Dow -0.2%.

Chris Caton's 5 April 2013 update

InternetContent@btfinancialgroup.com (BT Digital) — Fri, 5 Apr 2013 07:55:00 +1100

We may be up as the US was up with the Bank of Japan announcing a massive increase in quantitative easing, Nikkei starting down then ending +2.2%. FTSE -1%, DAX -0.7%, S&P and Dow +0.4%. US inital jobless claims rose for the third week in a row in the US but markets moved yesterday for that, so Japan was a greater influence.

Chris Caton's 4 April 2013 update

InternetContent@btfinancialgroup.com (BT Digital) — Thu, 4 Apr 2013 07:55:00 +1100

We'll be off to a poor start: -0.5% after a soft night: FTSE -1.1%, DAX -0.9%, Dow -0.9%, S&P -1.1% - due to overreaction to the ADP employment estimate and the non-manufacturing ISM falling in March.

Chris Caton's 3 April 2013 update

InternetContent@btfinancialgroup.com (BT Digital) — Wed, 3 Apr 2013 07:55:00 +1100

We'll be up today after markets were up everywhere:FTSE +1.2%, DAX +1.3%, S&P +0.4%, Dow +0.5% - new all time closing high for both - and the data from Europe good with the purchasing managers index up.

Chris Caton's 2 April 2013 update

InternetContent@btfinancialgroup.com (BT Digital) — Tue, 2 Apr 2013 08:00:00 +1100

S&P rose +0.4% on Thursday, hitting a record high (as did the Dow) but gave it back on Monday. The Dow was flat on Monday so still near that record high. March ISM was disappointing which caused the falls on Monday. The Reserve will leave rates unchanged today.

Chris Caton's 28 March 2013 update

InternetContent@btfinancialgroup.com (BT Digital) — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 07:35:00 +1100

We'll start -0.25%, AUD = 104.4 US cents after a mildly negative night: FTSE -0.2%, DAX -1.1%, US opened down but nearly squared it off: S&P -0.06%, Dow -0.2% - due to nothing much coming out of Europe. Pending home sales for February fell, but had risen sharply in January.

Andrew Dowie's 27 March 2013 update

InternetContent@btfinancialgroup.com (BT Digital) — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 08:35:00 +1100

US Durable goods index was -3.8% in January (revised to -5.2%), consensus expecting a rebound to +4%, the actual for February was +5.7%, centred on volatile defence components; Case-Shiller Index maintained its growth performance.

Chris Caton's 26 March 2013 update

InternetContent@btfinancialgroup.com (BT Digital) — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 05:00:00 +1100

We'll be down dramatically at the start - an overreaction to a down night but not hugely so, given the Cypian situation: FTSE -0.2%, DAX -0.5%, S&P -0.3%, Dow -0.4%.

Chris Caton's 25 March 2013 update

InternetContent@btfinancialgroup.com (BT Digital) — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 07:25:00 +1100

Futures Index +0.5% but we may do better at the start. Positive in the US, shrugging off concerns about Cyprus as they come up with an alternative plan: FTSE +0.1%, DAX -0.3%, S&P +0.7%, Dow +0.6% (-0.2% & square for week).

Chris Caton's 22 March 2013 update

InternetContent@btfinancialgroup.com (BT Digital) — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 07:25:00 +1100

We'll be affected after a down day everywhere due to more concern about Cyprus: FTSE -0.7%, DAX -0.9%, S&P -0.8%, Dow -0.6% US jobless cliams now the lowest in 5 years, home sales rose slightly.

Chris Caton's 21 March 2013 update

InternetContent@btfinancialgroup.com (BT Digital) — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 07:35:00 +1100

ASX may be +0.4% at the opening with good news after 3 days of market weakness, due to the FOMC statement about Cyprus: FTSE -0.1%, DAX +0.7%, S&P +0.7%, Dow +0.4%.

Andrew Dowie's 20 March 2013 update

InternetContent@btfinancialgroup.com (BT Digital) — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 07:45:00 +1100

US housing starts rebounded to 917,000 from 910,000; US building permits up 4.6%, 11th monthly rise in a row, highest since June 2008.

Andrew Dowie's 18 March 2013 update

InternetContent@btfinancialgroup.com (BT Digital) — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 08:35:00 +1100

February CPI month-to-month +0.7% (concensus: +0.5%), largest since June 2009 but mostly because of petrol, and up from January's flat reading.

Chris Caton's 15 March 2013 update

InternetContent@btfinancialgroup.com (BT Digital) — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 07:55:00 +1100

A good positive session - FTSE +0.7%, DAX +1.1%, Dow & S&P +0.6%. Dow's 10th rise in a row, a streak not seen since '96, only 8 since '48 but ominously the longest streak, of 13, was in '87 before the crash.

Chris Caton's 14 March 2013 update

InternetContent@btfinancialgroup.com (BT Digital) — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 07:55:00 +1100

Markets treading water overseas but we may rise to correct yesterday's fall - FTSE +0.1%, DAX -0.2%, S&P -0.2%, Dow flat.

Chris Caton's 13 March 2013 update

InternetContent@btfinancialgroup.com (BT Digital) — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 07:55:00 +1100

Markets treading water overseas but we may rise to correct yesterday's fall - FTSE +0.1%, DAX -0.2%, S&P -0.2%, Dow flat.

Chris Caton's 12 March 2013 update

InternetContent@btfinancialgroup.com (BT Digital) — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 09:35:00 +1100

There is not much to report as there were no economic data releases in the US and Europe. The FTSE was up by 0.3%, the DAX was close to flat, and the S&P and Dow were both up by 0.3%.

Chris Caton's 11 March 2013 update

InternetContent@btfinancialgroup.com (BT Digital) — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 08:35:00 +1100

We'll start +0.4% after a good night. FTSE +0.7%, DAX +0.6%, S&P +0.4%, Dow+0.5%, fourth record high in a row, and it and the S&P rose for 6 sessions straight. S&P has risen 123.9% since it's low on the back of good employment figures.

Chris Caton's 8 March 2013 update

InternetContent@btfinancialgroup.com (BT Digital) — Fri, 8 Mar 2013 08:10:00 +1100

DAX +0.3%, FTSE, S&P and Dow +0.2% - Yesterday ECB, Bank of England, Bank of Japan met and kept policy unchanged, and US 4-week avergae of jobless claims at its lowest point in 4 years.

Chris Caton's 7 March 2013 update

InternetContent@btfinancialgroup.com (BT Digital) — Thu, 7 Mar 2013 08:10:00 +1100

Nothing much in Europe, FTSE -0.1%, DAX +0.6%, US had a seesawing day and ended S&P +0.1%, Dow +0.3%. Australian GDP result was middle of the road suggesting we're growing, but slowly, and consumer spending is lower than expected.

Chris Caton's 6 March 2013 update

InternetContent@btfinancialgroup.com (BT Digital) — Wed, 6 Mar 2013 08:10:00 +1100

We'll be up +0.5% after a very good session. Economic retail sales in Europe saw DAX +2.3%, FTSE +1.4%. US followed, driven by reassessment of China and non-manufacturing ISM gains (+3% GDP), Dow +0.9%, S&P +1%, Dow now at an all-time record high.

Chris Caton's 5 March 2013 update

InternetContent@btfinancialgroup.com (BT Digital) — Tue, 5 Mar 2013 08:10:00 +1100

We may gain 0.7-0.75% on the opening due to US markets; FTSE -0.5%, DAX -0.2%, US stayed down until the afternoon but ended up Dow +0.3%, SP +0.4%. There was concern over new measures in China to subdue property speculation and inflation and the US sequester came into operation - $85bn of cuts but markets rose anyway.

Chris Caton's 4 March 2013 update

InternetContent@btfinancialgroup.com (BT Digital) — Mon, 4 Mar 2013 08:35:00 +1100

FTSE +0.3%, DAX -0.4%, S&P and Dow +0.2% - both recovering over the week from their reaction to the Italian election. US personal income data fell 3.6%, second largest decline ever.

Chris Caton's 1 March 2013 update

InternetContent@btfinancialgroup.com (BT Digital) — Fri, 1 Mar 2013 08:35:00 +1100

Generally positive: FTSE +0.5%, DAX +.9%, Japan +2.7%, Hong Kong +2%; US let the side down SP Dow -0.1%. The ASX is +9.8% for the year to date, the best start to a year in the history of the ASX500.

Andrew Dowie's 28 February 2013 update

InternetContent@btfinancialgroup.com (BT Digital) — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 08:10:00 +1100

US January durable goods report -5.2%, down from December's +3.7%, consensus expecting -4.8% - but that's misleading, as it was affected by cuts in military spending, slowdown in aircraft production and the fiscal cliff. Orders ex-transport +1.9%.

Andrew Dowie's 27 February 2013 update

InternetContent@btfinancialgroup.com (BT Digital) — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 08:15:00 +1100

US housing data: December Case-Schiller +6.8%, bang on concensus; Q4 national index +7.3%, new home sales in January 2013 highest since July 2008.

Andrew Dowie's 26 February 2013 update

InternetContent@btfinancialgroup.com (BT Digital) — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 07:35:00 +1100

Dallas Fed Manufacturing Index dipped to 2.2 from January's 5.5, concensus expecting 3.5, due to weakness all round except for the outlook.

Chris Caton's 25 February 2013 update

InternetContent@btfinancialgroup.com (BT Digital) — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 07:15:00 +1100

We will rise this morning after a good session on Friday: FTSE +0.7%, DAX +1%, Dow & S&P +0.9% Dow square for the week, S&P -0.3%, which was a good result after the overreaction to the FOMC announcement earlier.

Chris Caton's 18 February 2013 update

InternetContent@btfinancialgroup.com (BT Digital) — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 07:15:00 +1100

Flat all week and flat on Friday: FTSE flat, DAX -0.5%, S&P -0.1%, Dow +0.1% - US industrial production weaker than expected but consumer sentiment is quite good.

James Kerr's 15 February 2013 update

InternetContent@btfinancialgroup.com (BT Digital) — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 09:00:00 +1100

Disappointing GDP reports across Europe led to a risk-off tone in early trade, S&P recovered due to good jobless data, Italian grown -2.7% over the year.

Andrew Dowie's 14 February 2013 update

InternetContent@btfinancialgroup.com (BT Digital) — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 07:15:00 +1100

US National Federation of Independent Businesses' report came in at 88.9, up from December's 88.0, with Consensus expecting 89.0; second monthly gain, but a country mile away from October's 93.1.

Andrew Dowie's 13 February 2013 update

InternetContent@btfinancialgroup.com (BT Digital) — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 07:15:00 +1100

US National Federation of Independent Businesses' report came in at 88.9, up from December's 88.0, with Consensus expecting 89.0; second monthly gain, but a country mile away from October's 93.1.

Chris Caton's 11 February 2013 update

InternetContent@btfinancialgroup.com (BT Digital) — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 07:15:00 +1100

A mixed week ended up - FTSE +0.6%, DAX +0.8%, S&P +0.6%, Dow +0.4% - as the balance of trade for December improved significantly.

Andrew Dowie's 8 February 2013 update

InternetContent@btfinancialgroup.com (BT Digital) — Fri, 8 Feb 2013 08:00:00 +1100

US initial jobless claims for Febuary 2 were down 5,000, matching consensus; output growth should recover but is coupled with a rise in CPI.

Andrew Dowie's 6 February 2013 update

InternetContent@btfinancialgroup.com (BT Digital) — Wed, 6 Feb 2013 09:45:00 +1100

US January Non-manufacturing (services) ISM fell to 55.2 from 55.7, but higher than consensus' 55.0.

Chris Caton's 5 February 2013 update

InternetContent@btfinancialgroup.com (BT Digital) — Tue, 5 Feb 2013 08:35:00 +1100

We'll start -0.75% with markets down all over world - FTSE -1.6%, DAX -2.5%, S&P -1.1%, Dow -0.9% - Europe the main story with a corruption scansdal in Spain & concerns about the upcoming elections in Italy.

Chris Caton's 4 February 2013 update

InternetContent@btfinancialgroup.com (BT Digital) — Mon, 4 Feb 2013 09:35:00 +1100

There's more good news to report. The FTSE rose by 1.1% and the German market by 0.7%. In the US, the S&P was up by 1%, and the DOW up by 1.1%. For the Australian market, the Futures market suggests an opening of half a percent higher, and our currency is at 104 US cents.

Chris Caton's 1 February 2013 update

InternetContent@btfinancialgroup.com (BT Digital) — Fri, 1 Feb 2013 08:35:00 +1100

Some good economic news but not enough to please markets: FTSE -0.7%, DAX -0.5%, US positive early but ended down, S&P -0.3%, Dow -0.4%. SP +5% for the month of January (ASX +4.9%), +15.1% for the year and +121.4% since early March 2009 trough.

Chris Caton's 31 January 2013 update

InternetContent@btfinancialgroup.com (BT Digital) — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 09:05:00 +1100

Nothing much happened overnight. The FTSE market was down by 0.25%, the German market was down by 0.5%, the Dow down by 0.3%, and the S&P down by 0.4%.

Chris Caton's 30 January 2013 update

InternetContent@btfinancialgroup.com (BT Digital) — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 08:05:00 +1100

Expect another good start today - we've had nine in a row - with overseas markets all strong: FTSE +0.7%,DAX +0.2%, S&P and Dow +0.5%.

Chris Caton's 29 January 2013 update

InternetContent@btfinancialgroup.com (BT Digital) — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 08:10:00 +1100

Not much movement on Monday: FTSE +0.2%, DAX -0.3%, Dow ended its up streak, -0.1%, S&P -0.2% but stayed about 1500.

James Kerr's 25 January 2013 update

InternetContent@btfinancialgroup.com (BT Digital) — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 09:00:00 +1100

S&P up to 1502, highest since 2007, FTSE +0.8%, AUD fell to USD1.045; warning for investors with Apple's reporting lowered revenue.

Andrew Dowie's 24 January 2013 update

InternetContent@btfinancialgroup.com (BT Digital) — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 09:35:00 +1100

Federal Housing Finance Agency's November Home Price Index +0.6% for the month, matching consensus.

Andrew Dowie's 23 January 2013 update

InternetContent@btfinancialgroup.com (BT Digital) — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 09:35:00 +1100

December's existing home sales release recorded a one percent decline in sales volume, with Consensus calling for an up one percent figure. So with this December publication out of the way and putting things into some semblance of perspective, on the Quarterly Metric, quarter four sales were at 4.9 million units annualised and quarter three were at 4.66 million and quarter two at 4.54 million.

Andrew Dowie's 21 January 2013 update

InternetContent@btfinancialgroup.com (BT Digital) — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 09:35:00 +1100

The January release of the University of Michigan's Index of Consumer Sentiment was supposed to print a 75.0, a strong rebound from December's 72.9. The driver for this forecast January up tick being essentially two things, relief over the last minute fiscal cliff agreement and the ensuing equity market rally.

Andrew Dowie's 18 January 2013 update

InternetContent@btfinancialgroup.com (BT Digital) — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 07:35:00 +1100

US initial jobless claims declined by 37,000 to 335,000, well below the 369,000 consensus; housing starts increased to a seasonally adjusted annualised rate of 954,000 in December, beating consensus' bullish 890,000 and a 12.1% increase from November's print.

Andrew Dowie's 17 January 2013 update

InternetContent@btfinancialgroup.com (BT Digital) — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 08:20:00 +1100

US December industrial production +0.3%, matching consensus despite the dampner of the fiscal cliff, now highest since June 2008. December's manufacturing +2.4% annualised, again despite the fiscal cliff. Inflation comfortably below the Fed's 2% target and right on their projection.

Andrew Dowie's 16 January 2013 update

InternetContent@btfinancialgroup.com (BT Digital) — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 08:05:00 +1100

US December retail sales an encouraging +0.5% (consensus +0.2%); November's were also revised up to +0.4% from +0.3%. December PPI -0.2%, consensus -0.1%, due to falling energy prices. January Empire State Manufacturing index consensus flat, actual -7.78%

James Kerr's 15 January 2013 update

InternetContent@btfinancialgroup.com (BT Digital) — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 08:40:00 +1100

Markets remained cautious, awaiting the US Fed president's speech on monetary policy, although the AUD and European bonds were higher.

Andrew Dowie's 14 January 2013 update

InternetContent@btfinancialgroup.com (BT Digital) — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 07:00:00 +1100

November trade deficit $48.7bn - widest since April and the largest one-month increase since Jan 2011: up 16%; consensus expecting $41.3bn after October's $42.1bn. December import price index -0.1% with concensus expecting +0.1%, annualised figure an encouraging -1.5%.

Andrew Dowie's 11 January 2013 update

InternetContent@btfinancialgroup.com (BT Digital) — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 07:30:00 +1100

Initial jobless claims for Jan 5 increased slightly, contrary to the expected slight decline. November Wholesale inventories +0.6%, triple 0.2% consensus; offset by the October revision but the fifth consecutive increase.

Andrew Dowie's 10 January 2013 update

InternetContent@btfinancialgroup.com (BT Digital) — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 07:35:00 +1100

November consumer credit expected to fall to $12.7bn from October's $14.1bn but actual came in at $16bn with borrowing accelerating, especially in student loans and car finance.

Andrew Dowie's 9 January 2013 update

InternetContent@btfinancialgroup.com (BT Digital) — Wed, 9 Jan 2013 07:20:00 +1100

US December NFIB optimism index not exactly overflowing with optimism at 88.0, above the 87.2 concensus but still the 2nd lowest print since March 2010; probably driven by the fiscal cliff empasse.

Andrew Dowie's 7 January 2013 update

InternetContent@btfinancialgroup.com (BT Digital) — Mon, 7 Jan 2013 06:46:00 +1100

The US December employment report matched the lacklustre concensus expectation of 7.8% unemployment but the gain in payrolls suggests greater health in the economy.

Andrew Dowie's 4 January 2013 update

InternetContent@btfinancialgroup.com (BT Digital) — Fri, 4 Jan 2013 07:27:00 +1100

US weekly initial jobless claims - 360,000 concensus, actual 372,000 increase with a 'strong holiday effect' due to office closures; 4 week average still 360,000. ADP private payrolls December saw an increase of 215,000, well above 140,00 estimate.

Andrew Dowie's 3 January 2013 update

InternetContent@btfinancialgroup.com (BT Digital) — Thu, 3 Jan 2013 07:06:00 +1100

US December ISM manufacturing report rebounded from 49.5 of November with concensus expecting 50.5, actual 50.7, just beating estimate and more importantly returning to expansionary territory. However, November construction spending -0.3% against the concensus +0.6%.