Economy : Page 868

Americans' optimism about homebuying lowest since 2008

May 6, 2016 Americans' optimism about the climate for buying a home has waned somewhat from recent years.

Upturn in Russia’s service sector gathers pace

May 6, 2016 The upturn in Russia’s service sector gained greater momentum during April, as output expanded at the sharpest rate in just over three years.

Construction PMI falls to five-month low in Germany

May 6, 2016 The upturn in Germany’s construction sector slowed further at the start of the second quarter, with building activity rising at a weaker, albeit still aboveaverage, rate.

U.S. ISM Non-Manufacturing PMI at fresh 2016 high

May 6, 2016 The ISM Non-Manufacturing PMI index increased 1.2 percentage points to 55.7 percent in April of 2016, higher than market expectations of 54.7.

UK services PMI slumps to 38-month low in April

May 6, 2016 The Markit/CIPS UK services purchasing managers' index fell to 52.3 in April from 53.7 in March, its lowest since February 2013 and below economists' expectations for a reading of 53.6.

Hong Kong PMI fell to 45.3, hits 8-month low

May 6, 2016 The Nikkei Hong Kong Purchasing Managers Index fell to an eight-month low of 45.3 in April from 45.5 in March.

U.S. jobless claims jump, labor market strong

May 5, 2016 US jobless claims last week posted their biggest increase in more than a year, but analysts say the labor market is continuing to strengthen.

New Zealand adds 28,000 jobs in quarter

May 5, 2016 The quarterly Household Labour Force Survey has shown strong employment growth in the March quarter, with 28,000 more jobs added to the New Zealand economy.

Dollar inflow into Brazil exceeds outflow

May 5, 2016 After two consecutive months of deficit, the inflow of dollars into the country exceeded the outflow in April.

Volume of retail trade down by 0.5% in euro area

May 5, 2016 In March 2016 compared with February 2016, the seasonally adjusted volume of retail trade fell by 0.5% in the euro area (EA19) and by 0.7% in the EU28, according to Eurostat.

Portuguese February fossil fuel demand falls 6.5%

May 5, 2016 Demand for fossil fuels in Portugal in February fell 6.5% year on year to 1.04 million mt of oil equivalent.

UK construction slows more than expected in April

May 5, 2016 The pace of UK construction slowed more than expected in April. The Markit/CIPS UK construction purchasing managers' index fell to 52.0, down from 54.2 in March and missing expectations for a reading of 54.0.