Economy : Page 919

Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index increased in January

January 28, 2016 The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index, which had increased in December, improved moderately in January.

U.S. Federal Reserve keeps rates on hold

January 27, 2016 The U.S. central bank kept its main policy rates unchanged until March, when its policy committee was next scheduled to meet.

U.S. Markit PMI drops more than expected in January

January 27, 2016 Markit's flash U.S. service purchasing managers' business index slipped to 53.7 in January from 54.3 in December.

EU holds foreign stocks worth €5,749 billion

January 27, 2016 At the end of 2014, the European Union (EU) held Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) stocks of €5,749 billion in the rest of the world (+7.6% compared with the end of 2013).

Switzerland's December exports increase year-over-year

January 27, 2016 Swiss exports increased in December as an additional working day during the month helped make up for weakness in the country's machinery, metal and watch industries.

Manufacturing in Singapore declined 7.9%

January 27, 2016 On a year-on-year basis, Singapore’s manufacturing output declined 7.9% in December 2015.

Australian business confidence still strong

January 27, 2016 Australia's business conditions and confidence remained strong to close 2015 despite the global market turmoil, the latest business confidence index shows.

Flat start to 2016 for UK manufacturers

January 27, 2016 Manufacturing production and order books showed signs of stabilising in the three months to January.

Home prices in 20 U.S. cities climb most since July 2014

January 26, 2016 S&P Dow Jones Indices released the latest results for the S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Indices, the leading measure of U.S. home prices.

Italy's trade surplus highest in 22 years

January 26, 2016 Italy's December trade surplus with non-EU countries reached 5.9 billion euros in December.

Foreign investment in the Netherlands created 9,300 jobs in 2015

January 26, 2016 More than 300 foreign companies like Tesla and easyJet jointly invested €1.87 billion in the Netherlands last year.

Part-time workers' income in South Korea growth slows in 2015

January 26, 2016 Part-time workers in South Korea saw their income grow at a much slower pace in 2015 than the previous year due to a prolonged economic slump, data showed.