Forex Investment

2007-04-23 10:08:09

UK mortgage demand continued to slow in March - BBA

LONDON (Thomson Financial) - Demand for mortgages in the UK continued to

moderate in March as higher borrowing costs dampened households’ appetite for

loans, a leading industry group said today.

2007-04-23 10:00:24

Euro zone 2006 deficit 1.6 pct of GDP vs deficit 2.5; debt 45.8 pct vs 45.1

BRUSSELS (Thomson Financial) - The 13-country euro zone posted a deficit of

1.6 pct of GDP in 2006 compared with a 2.5 pct deficit in 2005, EU statistics

agency Eurostat said.

2007-04-23 09:59:57

World Bank independent report is ’searing indictment’ of Wolfowitz - report

LONDON (Thomson Financial) - An independent agency assessing the World

Bank’s effectiveness has issued a “searing indictment” on the leadership of

embattled president Paul Wolfowitz, the Financial Times reported.

2007-04-23 09:59:02

Hong Kong March CPI up 2.4 pct yr-on-yr vs up 0.8 pct in Feb

HONG KONG (XFN-ASIA) - The composite consumer price index (CPI) in March was

up 2.4 pct from a year earlier, compared with 0.8 pct increase in February, the

government said.

2007-04-23 09:43:34

UK March M4 money supply up 12.8 pct year-on-year; M4 lending up 12.7 bln stg

LONDON (Thomson Financial) - The Bank of England said provisional estimates

for M4 money, a broad measure of money supply, showed a rise of 1 pct in March

from February on a seasonally adjusted basis, for a 12.8 pct year-on-year rise.

2007-04-23 09:30:20

UK March mortgage lending highest ever for the month - CML

LONDON (Thomson Financial) - The UK housing market was strong in March with

gross mortgage lending registering a record performance for the month, the

Council of Mortgage Lenders said.

2007-04-23 09:30:09

UK mortgage lending hit highest ever level for month of March - BSA

LONDON (Thomson Financial) - The UK saw the biggest level of mortgage

lending for any March on record last week, although signs that the market is

beginning to cool are seen in a fall in the seasonally-adjusted number of

mortgage approvals, a leading industry group said today.

2007-04-23 09:16:48

Japan mulls investment fund to manage 909 bln usd of foreign reserves - report

LONDON (Thomson Financial) - Japan is looking at setting up a special state

investment fund to manage part of its 909 bln usd of foreign reserves, in a bid

to improve financial returns and mitigate the long-term impact of the ageing

population, the Financial Times reported.

2007-04-23 06:22:00

Japan March supermarket sales fall 1.5 pct yr-on-yr, down for 15th straight mth

TOKYO (XFN-ASIA) - Sales at supermarkets open for at least one year declined

1.5 pct in March from a year before to 1.128 trln yen, falling for the 15th

month in a row, as a sharp drop in temperature during the month hit sales

of spring clothing, the Japan Chain Stores Association said.

2007-04-23 02:52:37

Australia Q1 producer price index steady on Q4

SYDNEY (XFN-ASIA) - The final producer price index (PPI) for commodities,

excluding exports, was unchanged in the March quarter from the December quarter,

with a 0.1 pct increase in the domestic index but a 1.1 pct fall in the imports

component, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) said.

2007-04-23 02:42:54

Australia Q1 producer price index steady on Q4 versus consensus 0.6 pct rise

SYDNEY (XFN-ASIA) - The final producer price index (PPI) for commodities,

excluding exports, was unchanged in the Marcht quarter from the December

quarter, with a 0.1 pct increase in the domestic index but a 1.1 pct fall in the

imports component, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) said.

2007-04-23 01:35:57

China to step up controls on funds entering stock market - report

BEIJING (XFN-ASIA) - China will step up efforts to rein in rapid growth in

the stock market, with controls intended to bar those funds that should not be

invested in stocks, the official China Securities Journal reported, citing Zhang

Yutai, deputy director of the State Council’s Development and Research Center.

2007-04-23 00:01:08

UK businesses keep economy booming but risks are underestimated - ITEM Club

LONDON (Thomson Financial) - UK businesses are increasingly driving the

economy’s robust growth, although companies and individuals are too relaxed

about the risks associated with their borrowing and spending habits, a leading

economic consultancy said today.

2007-04-19 10:00:28

German 5 institutes revise up 2007 GDP growth forecast to 2.4 pct vs 1.4

BERLIN (Thomson Financial) - Germany’s five research institutes have revised

upward their GDP growth forecast for this year to 2.4 pct from a previous 1.4

pct, buoyed by domestic demand as world demand for local exports continue.

2007-04-19 09:55:11

US ambassador says investment in Italy hit by rule changes, cites Telecom Italia

MILAN (Thomson Financial) - Constant changes in market rules is holding back

foreign investments in Italy and this is a reason why the growth of Italy’s GDP,

salaries and productivity lags behind other European countries, said US

ambassador to Italy Ronald Spogli.

2007-04-19 09:51:51

Hungary central bank sees lower-than-expected Feb wage growth as positive sign

BUDAPEST (Thomson Financial) - Lower-than-expected February wage growth in

Hungary was largely due to contained wages in industry and will be a positive

sign for Hungary’s national bank before its rate setting meeting on Monday,

analysts said.

2007-04-19 09:45:58

Hong Kong Jan-March unemployment 4.3 pct, unchanged from Dec-Feb

HONG KONG (XFN-ASIA) - The unemployment rate in Hong Kong during the three

months to March stood at 4.3 pct, unchanged from the December-February level,

the government said.

2007-04-19 09:33:50

China’s market prices up in Q1, domestic market sales accelerate - stats bureau

BEIJING (XFN-ASIA) - Market prices increased and sales on domestic markets

accelerated in the first quarter of this year, the National Bureau of Statistics

said in a statement.

2007-04-19 09:20:08

China food prices could create more inflationary pressure - stats bureau

BEIJING (XFN-ASIA) - Food prices in China could create more inflationary

pressure in the months ahead, National Bureau of Statistics spokesman Li

Xiaochao said.

2007-04-19 08:59:35

China aiming for stable, fast growth and avoid ‘hard landing’ - stats bureau

BEIJING (XFN-ASIA) - China is aiming at stable and fast economic growth and

its objective to avoid a “hard landing”, National Bureau of Statistics spokesman

Li Xiaochao said.

2007-04-19 08:58:21

China Q1 fixed-asset investment up 23.7 pct yr-on-year - stats bureau

BEIJING (XFN-ASIA) - China’s fixed-asset investment rose 23.7 pct to 1.752

trln yuan in the first three months of the year, the National Bureau of

Statistics said.

2007-04-19 08:56:47

China delay in Q1 data not result of ‘abnormal’ factors - stats bureau

BEIJING (XFN-ASIA) - The delay in announcing China’s first quarter economic

figures was not the result of any abnormal factors, said National Bureau of

Statistics spokesman Li Xiaochao.

2007-04-19 08:52:08

China urban per capita disposable income up 19.5 pct, rural up 15.2 pct - stats

BEIJING (XFN-ASIA) - The per capita disposable income of China’s urban and

rural residents in the first quarter rose 19.5 pct and 15.2 pct year-on-year,

respectively, the National Bureau of Statistics said (NBS).

2007-04-19 08:47:51

China economic growth stable, CPI rise driven by food prices - stats bureau

BEIJING (XFN-ASIA) - China’s overall economic growth is fast but stable,

National Bureau of Statistics spokesman Li Xiaochao said.

2007-04-19 08:39:57

DATAWATCH China Q1 GDP growth surprises but tempered by slow inflation-Citigroup

BEIJING (XFN-ASIA) - China’s first quarter economic growth surprised on the

upside, but despite investment also pouring in at a faster clip, the relatively

stable increases in the consumer price index (CPI), the chief barometer of

inflation, were still manageable and helping ease worries of economic

overheating on a national level, said Huang Yiping, economist with Citigroup in

Hong Kong.

2007-04-19 08:35:12

China Q1 industrial output up 18.3 pct yr-on-yr - stats bureau

BEIJING (XFN-ASIA) - China’s industrial output rose 18.3 pct year-on-year in

the first quarter, compared with 16.7 pct a year earlier, the National Bureau of

Statistics said in a statement.

2007-04-19 08:18:25

China Q1 GDP up 11.1 pct yr-on-yr - stats bureau

BEIJING (XFN-ASIA) - China’s gross domestic product (GDP) growth accelerated

11.1 pct year-on-year to 5.0287 trln yuan in the first quarter, compared with

10.4 pct in the fourth quarter and 10.7 pct in 2006, the National Bureau of

Statistics said.

2007-04-19 08:09:25

China March retail sales up 15.3 pct yr-on-yr stats bureau

BEIJING (XFN-ASIA) - China’s retail sales increased 15.3 pct year-on-year in

March, the National Bureau of Statistics said.

2007-04-19 08:08:58

China Q1 CPI up 2.7 pct yr-on-yr - statistics bureau

BEIJING (XFN-ASIA) - China’s consumer price index rose 2.7 pct year-on-year

in the first quarter, compared with an increase of 1.2 pct for the same period

last year, the National Bureau of Statistics said in a statement.

2007-04-19 08:08:06

China Q1 retail sales up 14.9 pct yr-on-yr at 2.119 trln yuan - stats bureau

BEIJING (XFN-ASIA) - China’s retail sales increased 14.9 pct year-on-year in

the first quarter to 2.119 trln yuan, the National Bureau of Statistics said in

a statement.

2007-04-19 08:07:44

China March industrial output up 17.6 pct yr-on-yr - stats bureau

BEIJING (XFN-ASIA) - China’s industrial output rose 17.6 pct year-on-year in

March, compared with 18.5 pct in the first two months of the year, the National

Bureau of Statistics said in a statement.

2007-04-19 08:07:18

China March CPI up 3.3 pct yr-on-yr - statistics bureau

BEIJING (XFN-ASIA) - China’s consumer price index rose 3.3 pct year-on-year

in March, compared with a 2.7 pct rise in February, the National Bureau of

Statistics said in a statement.

2007-04-19 08:06:59

China Q1 industrial output up 18.3 pct yr-on-yr stats bureau

BEIJING (XFN-ASIA) - Chinas industrial output rose 18.3 pct year-on-year in

the first quarter, compared with 16.7 pct a year earlier, the National Bureau of

Statistics said in a statement.

2007-04-19 08:06:22

China Q1 PPI up 2.9 pct yr-on-yr - Stats Bureau

BEIJING (XFN-ASIA) - China’s producer price index (PPI) rose 2.9 pct

year-on-year in the first quarter, compared with an increase of 2.9 pct a year

earlier, the National Bureau of Statistics said in a statement.

2007-04-19 08:03:53

Hungarian gross wages up 5.7 pct in Feb vs 7.1 pct in Jan - below forecast

BUDAPEST (Thomson Financial) - The gross average Hungarian wage was up 5.7

pct year-on-year in February compared to a rise of 7.1 pct in January, Hungary’s

statistical office said.

2007-04-19 07:34:10

Russia Q1 GDP up 7.9 pct - minister

MOSCOW (Thomson Financial) - Russian GDP grew 7.9 pct year on year in the

first quarter, Minister of Economic Development and Trade German Gref was quoted

as saying by Russian newswires.

2007-04-19 07:15:18

China Q1 ‘average’ CPI up 2.7 pct yr-on-yr - statistics bureau

BEIJING (XFN-ASIA) - China’s “average” consumer price index (CPI) rose by

2.7 pct in the first quarter, the National Bureau of Statistics said.

2007-04-19 07:05:38

Japan economy growing moderately but regional gaps remain, says BoJ

TOKYO (XFN-ASIA) - Japan’s regional economies are showing signs of continued

moderate expansion although gaps in wealth still exist among various regions,

the Bank of Japan said in a quarterly report.

2007-04-19 07:00:42

German March PPI up 0.3 pct vs Feb, up 2.5 pct yr-on-yr

WIESBADEN, Germany (Thomson Financial) - Producer prices in Germany rose 0.3

pct in March from February and rose 2.5 pct from March last year, the Federal

Statistics Office said.

2007-04-19 02:46:37

Japan Feb tertiary index rises 1.0 pct from Jan to highest since 1988

TOKYO (XFN-ASIA) - The tertiary index, which measures spending in the

services sector, increased 1.0 pct in February from January, rising for the

second straight month, following a revised 0.4 pct gain in January, the Ministry

of Economy, Trade and Industry said, citing preliminary data.

2007-04-19 02:04:15

Bank of Japan’s Fukui reiterates economy expanding moderately, deflation easing

TOKYO (XFN-ASIA) - Bank of Japan governor Toshihiko Fukui reiterated that

the Japanese economy is expanding moderately and deflationary pressure is

easing.

2007-04-19 00:56:36

Japan Feb tertiary index up 1.0 pct from Jan; 2nd straight monthly rise

TOKYO (XFN-ASIA) - The tertiary index, which measures spending in the

services sector, rose 1.0 pct in February from January, the second straight

monthly gain, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said, citing

preliminary data.

2007-04-18 23:28:01

Michigan unemployment rate at 6.5 pct

LANSING, Mich. (AP) - Michigan’s unemployment rate dropped in March for the

third month in a row to 6.5 percent, the lowest since October 2005.

2007-04-27 09:39:49

UK car production flat in 3 months to March, down 6.9 pct year-on-year

LONDON (Thomson Financial) - UK motor vehicle production in the three months

to March was unchanged from the previous three months, seasonally adjusted

figures from the Office of National Statistics showed.

2007-04-27 09:10:58

China’s govt on alert over inflationary pressures - stats official

BEIJING (XFN-ASIA) - The government is on alert over the threat posed by

rising inflationary pressures, a leading statistics agency official said.

2007-04-27 09:08:44

Japan March housing starts up 5.5 pct yr-on-yr, above forecast

TOKYO (XFN-ASIA) - Housing starts in March rose 5.5 pct year-on-year to

99,488, marking the first rise in three months, the Ministry of Land,

Infrastructure and Transport said, and was better than the consensus forecast.

2007-04-27 09:00:26

Japan March auto production down 3.4 pct yr-on-yr

TOKYO (XFN-ASIA) - Vehicle output in March fell 3.4 pct from a year earlier

to 1.08 mln units, the first drop in 17 months, the Japan Automobile

Manufacturers Association said.

2007-04-27 08:45:05

Bank of Japan must adjust rates if economic, price uptrend in place- Fukui

TOKYO (XFN-ASIA) - The Bank of Japan must raise interest rates once prices

are clearly rising and the economy is seen to be securely growing, BoJ governor

Toshihiko Fukui said after the BOJ board left rates unchanged at its regular

monthly meeting today.

2007-04-27 08:02:39

Bank of Japan cuts core CPI forecast rise to 0.1 pct, GDP seen up 2.1 pct

TOKYO (XFN-ASIA) - The Bank of Japan has lowered its estimated rise for the

core consumer price index for the current year to March 2008 to 0.1 pct from its

previous projection of 0.5 pct but maintained the economy will still grow by 2.1

pct as seen before.

2007-04-27 07:31:23

Bank of Japan cuts core CPI forecast rise to 0.1 pct, still sees GDP up 2.1 pct

TOKYO (XFN-ASIA) - The Bank of Japan has lowered its estimated rise for the

core consumer price index for the current year to March 2008 to 0.1 pct from its

previous projection of 0.5 pct but maintained the economy will still grow by 2.1

pct as seen before.

2007-04-27 07:22:41

German retail sales gathering pace after slow start to year - retail assn

FRANKFURT (Thomson Financial) - German retail sales are picking up speed

after a slow start to the year due to the effects of the increase in value-added

tax to 19 pct from 16 pct, Hubertus Pellengahr, spokesman of the German Retail

Association told Handelsblatt newspaper.

2007-04-27 07:07:24

Japan March construction orders received by 50 largest firms down 1.6 pct yr/yr

TOKYO (XFN-ASIA) - The value of construction orders received in March by the

50 largest contractors in Japan fell 1.6 pct

year-on-year to 2.40 trln yen, after posting a 7.0 pct increase in February,

marking the first decline in

three months, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said.

2007-04-27 06:21:56

Bank of Japan keeps call rate target unchanged

TOKYO (XFN-ASIA) - The Bank of Japan said its nine-member policy board voted

unanimously to keep the overnight call rate target unchanged at 0.5 pct at the

end of its one-day meeting, as widely expected by the market.

2007-04-27 06:10:12

Bank of Japan keeps overnight call rate target unchanged

TOKYO (XFN-ASIA) - The Bank of Japan kept its overnight call rate target

unchanged at 0.5 pct for the third straight meeting, as widely expected by the

market.

2007-04-27 05:56:17

Japan March auto production down 3.4 pct yr-on-yr, first fall in 17 months

TOKYO (XFN-ASIA) - Vehicle output in March fell 3.4 pct from a year earlier

to 1.08 mln units, the first drop in 17 months, the Japan Automobile

Manufacturers Association said.

2007-04-27 03:49:39

India second-biggest source of new investment into London - report

LONDON (XFN-ASIA) - India has become the second-biggest source of new

foreign investment into London, behind only the United States, a report said.

2007-04-27 03:44:09

ROUNDUP - March data show risk for corporate Japan; no urgent need for rate move

TOKYO (XFN-ASIA) - The latest data releases underscore the emerging downside

risk for Japan’s corporations, which has supported the country’s economic

recovery in recent years, while reaffirming a sustained turnaround of the

household sector, but economists generally agree that there is no urgent need

for the central bank to step up its interest rate adjustment amid a patchy

economic outlook.

2007-04-27 02:35:30

Xinhua Finance/MNI April China Business Survey: New Record

BEIJING (XFN-ASIA) - Chinese companies are in robust health and looking to

hire as new orders rise with production, the results of the April Xinhua

Finance/MNI China Business Sentiment Survey suggest.

2007-04-27 02:00:58

Japan March industrial output falls unexpectedly on IT adjustment

TOKYO (XFN-ASIA) - Industrial output in March fell unexpectedly from a month

earlier as makers of machine tools for semiconductor chips and liquid crystal

display (LCD) panels reduced production as their clients made inventory

adjustments, according to preliminary data from the Ministry of Economy, Trade

and Industry.

2007-04-27 01:21:56

Japan unemployment rate stays at 4.0 pct for 5th straight month in March

TOKYO (XFN-ASIA) - The unemployment rate remained at 4.0 pct for the fifth

consecutive month in March as the medical sector, as well as restaurant and

hotel operators took on more workers to deal with increased demand, data from

the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications showed.

2007-04-27 01:12:07

Japan March core CPI falls for 2nd straight month on fuel price drop

TOKYO (XFN-ASIA) - The core consumer price index, which excludes volatile

prices of fresh food but includes energy prices, marked the second straight

monthly fall in March after registering its first fall in ten months in

February, due to a drop in fuel prices, government data showed.

2007-04-27 01:06:59

Japan March retail sales down 0.7 pct yr-on-yr; 6th straight monthly fall

TOKYO (XFN-ASIA) - Retail sales in March fell 0.7 pct from the previous

year, the sixth straight monthly drop, following a 0.2 pct decline in February,

the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said.

2007-04-27 01:04:41

Japan March industrial output down 0.6 pct from Feb, misses forecast

TOKYO (XFN-ASIA) - Industrial output fell a seasonally adjusted 0.6 pct in

March from the previous month after rising by 0.7

pct in February, preliminary data from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and

Industry showed.

2007-04-27 00:45:43

Japan March core CPI down 0.3 pct yr-on-yr, bigger fall than forecast

TOKYO (XFN-ASIA) - The core consumer price index, which excludes volatile

prices of fresh food but includes energy prices, dropped 0.3 pct in March from a

year earlier, the second straight monthly fall, slightly worse than market

expectations, data from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications

showed.

2007-04-27 00:42:32

Japan March household spending up 0.1 pct yr-on-yr, 3rd straight monthly gain

TOKYO (XFN-ASIA) - Spending by households in March rose 0.1 pct in real

terms from a year before to an average 313,563 yen, rising for the third month

in a row, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications said.

2007-04-27 00:38:40

Japan unemployment rate stays at 4.0 pct in March, matching forecast

TOKYO (XFN-ASIA) - The unemployment rate stood at 4.0 pct in March,

unchanged from the previous month and in line with market expectations, data

from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications showed.

2007-04-27 00:17:10

Big Apple has an extra $4 billion

NEW YORK (AP) - Thanks to surging tax revenues from major building sales and

Wall Street profits, the city is enjoying its largest surplus ever, but Mayor

Michael Bloomberg warned that no one is going to blow it all in one night of

fiscal carousing.

2007-04-19 10:00:28

German 5 institutes revise up 2007 GDP growth forecast to 2.4 pct vs 1.4

BERLIN (Thomson Financial) - Germany’s five research institutes have revised

upward their GDP growth forecast for this year to 2.4 pct from a previous 1.4

pct, buoyed by domestic demand as world demand for local exports continue.

2007-04-19 09:55:11

US ambassador says investment in Italy hit by rule changes, cites Telecom Italia

MILAN (Thomson Financial) - Constant changes in market rules is holding back

foreign investments in Italy and this is a reason why the growth of Italy’s GDP,

salaries and productivity lags behind other European countries, said US

ambassador to Italy Ronald Spogli.

2007-04-19 09:51:51

Hungary central bank sees lower-than-expected Feb wage growth as positive sign

BUDAPEST (Thomson Financial) - Lower-than-expected February wage growth in

Hungary was largely due to contained wages in industry and will be a positive

sign for Hungary’s national bank before its rate setting meeting on Monday,

analysts said.

2007-04-19 09:45:58

Hong Kong Jan-March unemployment 4.3 pct, unchanged from Dec-Feb

HONG KONG (XFN-ASIA) - The unemployment rate in Hong Kong during the three

months to March stood at 4.3 pct, unchanged from the December-February level,

the government said.

2007-04-19 09:33:50

China’s market prices up in Q1, domestic market sales accelerate - stats bureau

BEIJING (XFN-ASIA) - Market prices increased and sales on domestic markets

accelerated in the first quarter of this year, the National Bureau of Statistics

said in a statement.

2007-04-19 09:20:08

China food prices could create more inflationary pressure - stats bureau

BEIJING (XFN-ASIA) - Food prices in China could create more inflationary

pressure in the months ahead, National Bureau of Statistics spokesman Li

Xiaochao said.

2007-04-19 08:59:35

China aiming for stable, fast growth and avoid ‘hard landing’ - stats bureau

BEIJING (XFN-ASIA) - China is aiming at stable and fast economic growth and

its objective to avoid a “hard landing”, National Bureau of Statistics spokesman

Li Xiaochao said.

2007-04-19 08:58:21

China Q1 fixed-asset investment up 23.7 pct yr-on-year - stats bureau

BEIJING (XFN-ASIA) - China’s fixed-asset investment rose 23.7 pct to 1.752

trln yuan in the first three months of the year, the National Bureau of

Statistics said.

2007-04-19 08:56:47

China delay in Q1 data not result of ‘abnormal’ factors - stats bureau

BEIJING (XFN-ASIA) - The delay in announcing China’s first quarter economic

figures was not the result of any abnormal factors, said National Bureau of

Statistics spokesman Li Xiaochao.

2007-04-19 08:52:08

China urban per capita disposable income up 19.5 pct, rural up 15.2 pct - stats

BEIJING (XFN-ASIA) - The per capita disposable income of China’s urban and

rural residents in the first quarter rose 19.5 pct and 15.2 pct year-on-year,

respectively, the National Bureau of Statistics said (NBS).

2007-04-19 08:47:51

China economic growth stable, CPI rise driven by food prices - stats bureau

BEIJING (XFN-ASIA) - China’s overall economic growth is fast but stable,

National Bureau of Statistics spokesman Li Xiaochao said.

2007-04-19 08:39:57

DATAWATCH China Q1 GDP growth surprises but tempered by slow inflation-Citigroup

BEIJING (XFN-ASIA) - China’s first quarter economic growth surprised on the

upside, but despite investment also pouring in at a faster clip, the relatively

stable increases in the consumer price index (CPI), the chief barometer of

inflation, were still manageable and helping ease worries of economic

overheating on a national level, said Huang Yiping, economist with Citigroup in

Hong Kong.

2007-04-19 08:35:12

China Q1 industrial output up 18.3 pct yr-on-yr - stats bureau

BEIJING (XFN-ASIA) - China’s industrial output rose 18.3 pct year-on-year in

the first quarter, compared with 16.7 pct a year earlier, the National Bureau of

Statistics said in a statement.

2007-04-19 08:18:25

China Q1 GDP up 11.1 pct yr-on-yr - stats bureau

BEIJING (XFN-ASIA) - China’s gross domestic product (GDP) growth accelerated

11.1 pct year-on-year to 5.0287 trln yuan in the first quarter, compared with

10.4 pct in the fourth quarter and 10.7 pct in 2006, the National Bureau of

Statistics said.

2007-04-19 08:09:25

China March retail sales up 15.3 pct yr-on-yr stats bureau

BEIJING (XFN-ASIA) - China’s retail sales increased 15.3 pct year-on-year in

March, the National Bureau of Statistics said.

2007-04-19 08:08:58

China Q1 CPI up 2.7 pct yr-on-yr - statistics bureau

BEIJING (XFN-ASIA) - China’s consumer price index rose 2.7 pct year-on-year

in the first quarter, compared with an increase of 1.2 pct for the same period

last year, the National Bureau of Statistics said in a statement.

2007-04-19 08:08:06

China Q1 retail sales up 14.9 pct yr-on-yr at 2.119 trln yuan - stats bureau

BEIJING (XFN-ASIA) - China’s retail sales increased 14.9 pct year-on-year in

the first quarter to 2.119 trln yuan, the National Bureau of Statistics said in

a statement.

2007-04-19 08:07:44

China March industrial output up 17.6 pct yr-on-yr - stats bureau

BEIJING (XFN-ASIA) - China’s industrial output rose 17.6 pct year-on-year in

March, compared with 18.5 pct in the first two months of the year, the National

Bureau of Statistics said in a statement.

2007-04-19 08:07:18

China March CPI up 3.3 pct yr-on-yr - statistics bureau

BEIJING (XFN-ASIA) - China’s consumer price index rose 3.3 pct year-on-year

in March, compared with a 2.7 pct rise in February, the National Bureau of

Statistics said in a statement.

2007-04-19 08:06:59

China Q1 industrial output up 18.3 pct yr-on-yr stats bureau

BEIJING (XFN-ASIA) - Chinas industrial output rose 18.3 pct year-on-year in

the first quarter, compared with 16.7 pct a year earlier, the National Bureau of

Statistics said in a statement.

2007-04-19 08:06:22

China Q1 PPI up 2.9 pct yr-on-yr - Stats Bureau

BEIJING (XFN-ASIA) - China’s producer price index (PPI) rose 2.9 pct

year-on-year in the first quarter, compared with an increase of 2.9 pct a year

earlier, the National Bureau of Statistics said in a statement.

2007-04-19 08:03:53

Hungarian gross wages up 5.7 pct in Feb vs 7.1 pct in Jan - below forecast

BUDAPEST (Thomson Financial) - The gross average Hungarian wage was up 5.7

pct year-on-year in February compared to a rise of 7.1 pct in January, Hungary’s

statistical office said.

2007-04-19 07:34:10

Russia Q1 GDP up 7.9 pct - minister

MOSCOW (Thomson Financial) - Russian GDP grew 7.9 pct year on year in the

first quarter, Minister of Economic Development and Trade German Gref was quoted

as saying by Russian newswires.

2007-04-19 07:15:18

China Q1 ‘average’ CPI up 2.7 pct yr-on-yr - statistics bureau

BEIJING (XFN-ASIA) - China’s “average” consumer price index (CPI) rose by

2.7 pct in the first quarter, the National Bureau of Statistics said.

2007-04-19 07:05:38

Japan economy growing moderately but regional gaps remain, says BoJ

TOKYO (XFN-ASIA) - Japan’s regional economies are showing signs of continued

moderate expansion although gaps in wealth still exist among various regions,

the Bank of Japan said in a quarterly report.

2007-04-19 07:00:42

German March PPI up 0.3 pct vs Feb, up 2.5 pct yr-on-yr

WIESBADEN, Germany (Thomson Financial) - Producer prices in Germany rose 0.3

pct in March from February and rose 2.5 pct from March last year, the Federal

Statistics Office said.

2007-04-19 02:46:37

Japan Feb tertiary index rises 1.0 pct from Jan to highest since 1988

TOKYO (XFN-ASIA) - The tertiary index, which measures spending in the

services sector, increased 1.0 pct in February from January, rising for the

second straight month, following a revised 0.4 pct gain in January, the Ministry

of Economy, Trade and Industry said, citing preliminary data.

2007-04-19 02:04:15

Bank of Japan’s Fukui reiterates economy expanding moderately, deflation easing

TOKYO (XFN-ASIA) - Bank of Japan governor Toshihiko Fukui reiterated that

the Japanese economy is expanding moderately and deflationary pressure is

easing.

2007-04-19 00:56:36

Japan Feb tertiary index up 1.0 pct from Jan; 2nd straight monthly rise

TOKYO (XFN-ASIA) - The tertiary index, which measures spending in the

services sector, rose 1.0 pct in February from January, the second straight

monthly gain, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said, citing

preliminary data.

2007-04-18 23:28:01

Michigan unemployment rate at 6.5 pct

LANSING, Mich. (AP) - Michigan’s unemployment rate dropped in March for the

third month in a row to 6.5 percent, the lowest since October 2005.

2007-04-27 09:39:49

UK car production flat in 3 months to March, down 6.9 pct year-on-year

LONDON (Thomson Financial) - UK motor vehicle production in the three months

to March was unchanged from the previous three months, seasonally adjusted

figures from the Office of National Statistics showed.

2007-04-27 09:10:58

China’s govt on alert over inflationary pressures - stats official

BEIJING (XFN-ASIA) - The government is on alert over the threat posed by

rising inflationary pressures, a leading statistics agency official said.

2007-04-27 09:08:44

Japan March housing starts up 5.5 pct yr-on-yr, above forecast

TOKYO (XFN-ASIA) - Housing starts in March rose 5.5 pct year-on-year to

99,488, marking the first rise in three months, the Ministry of Land,

Infrastructure and Transport said, and was better than the consensus forecast.

2007-04-27 09:00:26

Japan March auto production down 3.4 pct yr-on-yr

TOKYO (XFN-ASIA) - Vehicle output in March fell 3.4 pct from a year earlier

to 1.08 mln units, the first drop in 17 months, the Japan Automobile

Manufacturers Association said.

2007-04-27 08:45:05

Bank of Japan must adjust rates if economic, price uptrend in place- Fukui

TOKYO (XFN-ASIA) - The Bank of Japan must raise interest rates once prices

are clearly rising and the economy is seen to be securely growing, BoJ governor

Toshihiko Fukui said after the BOJ board left rates unchanged at its regular

monthly meeting today.

2007-04-27 08:02:39

Bank of Japan cuts core CPI forecast rise to 0.1 pct, GDP seen up 2.1 pct

TOKYO (XFN-ASIA) - The Bank of Japan has lowered its estimated rise for the

core consumer price index for the current year to March 2008 to 0.1 pct from its

previous projection of 0.5 pct but maintained the economy will still grow by 2.1

pct as seen before.

2007-04-27 07:31:23

Bank of Japan cuts core CPI forecast rise to 0.1 pct, still sees GDP up 2.1 pct

TOKYO (XFN-ASIA) - The Bank of Japan has lowered its estimated rise for the

core consumer price index for the current year to March 2008 to 0.1 pct from its

previous projection of 0.5 pct but maintained the economy will still grow by 2.1

pct as seen before.

2007-04-27 07:22:41

German retail sales gathering pace after slow start to year - retail assn

FRANKFURT (Thomson Financial) - German retail sales are picking up speed

after a slow start to the year due to the effects of the increase in value-added

tax to 19 pct from 16 pct, Hubertus Pellengahr, spokesman of the German Retail

Association told Handelsblatt newspaper.

2007-04-27 07:07:24

Japan March construction orders received by 50 largest firms down 1.6 pct yr/yr

TOKYO (XFN-ASIA) - The value of construction orders received in March by the

50 largest contractors in Japan fell 1.6 pct

year-on-year to 2.40 trln yen, after posting a 7.0 pct increase in February,

marking the first decline in

three months, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said.

2007-04-27 06:21:56

Bank of Japan keeps call rate target unchanged

TOKYO (XFN-ASIA) - The Bank of Japan said its nine-member policy board voted

unanimously to keep the overnight call rate target unchanged at 0.5 pct at the

end of its one-day meeting, as widely expected by the market.

2007-04-27 06:10:12

Bank of Japan keeps overnight call rate target unchanged

TOKYO (XFN-ASIA) - The Bank of Japan kept its overnight call rate target

unchanged at 0.5 pct for the third straight meeting, as widely expected by the

market.

2007-04-27 05:56:17

Japan March auto production down 3.4 pct yr-on-yr, first fall in 17 months

TOKYO (XFN-ASIA) - Vehicle output in March fell 3.4 pct from a year earlier

to 1.08 mln units, the first drop in 17 months, the Japan Automobile

Manufacturers Association said.

2007-04-27 03:49:39

India second-biggest source of new investment into London - report

LONDON (XFN-ASIA) - India has become the second-biggest source of new

foreign investment into London, behind only the United States, a report said.

2007-04-27 03:44:09

ROUNDUP - March data show risk for corporate Japan; no urgent need for rate move

TOKYO (XFN-ASIA) - The latest data releases underscore the emerging downside

risk for Japan’s corporations, which has supported the country’s economic

recovery in recent years, while reaffirming a sustained turnaround of the

household sector, but economists generally agree that there is no urgent need

for the central bank to step up its interest rate adjustment amid a patchy

economic outlook.

2007-04-27 02:35:30

Xinhua Finance/MNI April China Business Survey: New Record

BEIJING (XFN-ASIA) - Chinese companies are in robust health and looking to

hire as new orders rise with production, the results of the April Xinhua

Finance/MNI China Business Sentiment Survey suggest.

2007-04-27 02:00:58

Japan March industrial output falls unexpectedly on IT adjustment

TOKYO (XFN-ASIA) - Industrial output in March fell unexpectedly from a month

earlier as makers of machine tools for semiconductor chips and liquid crystal

display (LCD) panels reduced production as their clients made inventory

adjustments, according to preliminary data from the Ministry of Economy, Trade

and Industry.

2007-04-27 01:21:56

Japan unemployment rate stays at 4.0 pct for 5th straight month in March

TOKYO (XFN-ASIA) - The unemployment rate remained at 4.0 pct for the fifth

consecutive month in March as the medical sector, as well as restaurant and

hotel operators took on more workers to deal with increased demand, data from

the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications showed.

2007-04-27 01:12:07

Japan March core CPI falls for 2nd straight month on fuel price drop

TOKYO (XFN-ASIA) - The core consumer price index, which excludes volatile

prices of fresh food but includes energy prices, marked the second straight

monthly fall in March after registering its first fall in ten months in

February, due to a drop in fuel prices, government data showed.

2007-04-27 01:06:59

Japan March retail sales down 0.7 pct yr-on-yr; 6th straight monthly fall

TOKYO (XFN-ASIA) - Retail sales in March fell 0.7 pct from the previous

year, the sixth straight monthly drop, following a 0.2 pct decline in February,

the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said.

2007-04-27 01:04:41

Japan March industrial output down 0.6 pct from Feb, misses forecast

TOKYO (XFN-ASIA) - Industrial output fell a seasonally adjusted 0.6 pct in

March from the previous month after rising by 0.7

pct in February, preliminary data from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and

Industry showed.

2007-04-27 00:45:43

Japan March core CPI down 0.3 pct yr-on-yr, bigger fall than forecast

TOKYO (XFN-ASIA) - The core consumer price index, which excludes volatile

prices of fresh food but includes energy prices, dropped 0.3 pct in March from a

year earlier, the second straight monthly fall, slightly worse than market

expectations, data from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications

showed.

2007-04-27 00:42:32

Japan March household spending up 0.1 pct yr-on-yr, 3rd straight monthly gain

TOKYO (XFN-ASIA) - Spending by households in March rose 0.1 pct in real

terms from a year before to an average 313,563 yen, rising for the third month

in a row, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications said.

2007-04-27 00:38:40

Japan unemployment rate stays at 4.0 pct in March, matching forecast

TOKYO (XFN-ASIA) - The unemployment rate stood at 4.0 pct in March,

unchanged from the previous month and in line with market expectations, data

from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications showed.

2007-04-27 00:17:10

Big Apple has an extra $4 billion

NEW YORK (AP) - Thanks to surging tax revenues from major building sales and

Wall Street profits, the city is enjoying its largest surplus ever, but Mayor

Michael Bloomberg warned that no one is going to blow it all in one night of

fiscal carousing.

2007-04-30 10:09:05

Hong Kong March M1 money supply up 3.2 pct mth-on-mth, up 14.2 pct yr-on-yr

HONG KONG (XFN-ASIA) - M1 money supply in March rose 3.2 pct from February

said.

2007-04-30 10:01:52

Hong Kong fiscal yr to March 2007 govt surplus 58.6 bln hkd vs 55.1 bln

HONG KONG (XFN-ASIA) - The Hong Kong government reported a surplus of 58.6

bln hkd from its operations for the fiscal year to March 2007, with expenditure

at 229.4 bln hkd and revenue at 288 bln.

2007-04-30 10:00:51

Euro zone April economic sentiment indicator 111.0 vs 111.1 in March

BRUSSELS (Thomson Financial) - The European Commission said its euro zone

economic sentiment indicator for April fell slightly to 111.0 from 111.1 in

March.

2007-04-30 10:00:36

Euro zone April prov HICP up 1.8 pct vs 1.9 in March

BRUSSELS (Thomson Financial) - The euro zone harmonised index of consumer

prices rose a provisional 1.8 pct year-on-year in April compared with a

year-on-year rise of 1.9 pct in March, EU statistics office Eurostat said.

2007-04-30 09:30:24

Signs of slowing in UK mortgage demand emerging - BBA

LONDON (Thomson Financial) - Signs that the UK housing market may be

starting to slow emerged today as a leading industry group reported that UK

mortgage approvals slowed from a year earlier while lending remained below its

average over the past six months.

2007-04-30 08:59:29

Austrian Feb industrial output up 1.4 pct from Jan, up 6.2 yr-on-yr

VIENNA (Thomson Financial) - Industrial output in Austria grew 1.4 pct in

February on the month, according to the national statistics agency Statistik

Austria.

2007-04-30 07:59:32

China end-March urban registered unemployment rate 4.1 pct - state planner

BEIJING (XFN-ASIA) - The urban registered unemployment rate was 4.1 pct at

the end of March, unchanged from the level at the end of 2006, the National

Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) said.

2007-04-30 07:00:15

German March retail sales down 0.7 pct vs Feb, up 0.5 pct yr-on-yr

WIESBADEN, Germany (Thomson Financial) - German retail sales were up 0.5 pct

in real terms in March compared with March 2007 and down 0.7 pct from February

this year, according to preliminary figures from the Federal Statistics Office.

2007-04-30 06:52:29

SKorea’s March service sector output up 4.8 pct yr-on-yr

SEOUL (XFN-ASIA) - Service sector output expanded 4.8 pct year-on-year in

March, easing from February’s 6.7 pct rise, with the real estate, education

services, transportation and wholesale and retail sectors seeing a slowdown, the

National Statistical Office said.

2007-04-30 05:00:18

UK smoking ban will dent hospitality sector - CEBR report

LONDON (Thomson Financial) - The upcoming UK smoking ban will dent spending

on alcohol and tobacco, weighing heavily on the hospitality sector, according to

think-tank, Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR).

2007-04-30 02:38:05

Australia March private sector credit up 1.1 pct from Feb, up 14.8 pct yr-on-yr

SYDNEY (XFN-ASIA) - Credit provided to the private sector by financial

intermediaries rose 1.2 pct month-on-month in March and was up 14.8 pct

year-on-year, the Reserve Bank of Australia said.

2007-04-30 00:01:16

UK Plc stays in buoyant mood despite strong pound, higher rates - Lloyds survey

LONDON (Thomson Financial) - UK Plc remains in buoyant mood despite the

strong pound and higher interest rates, according to a survey by Lloyds Bank.

2007-04-30 00:01:10

BoE could have avoided spike in CPI to above 3 pct - NIESR

LONDON (Thomson Financial) - The Bank of England (BoE) could have avoided

the surge in the CPI annual inflation rate to above 3.0 pct by hiking interest

rate earlier than it did, a leading UK think-tank argued.

2007-04-30 10:09:05

Hong Kong March M1 money supply up 3.2 pct mth-on-mth, up 14.2 pct yr-on-yr

HONG KONG (XFN-ASIA) - M1 money supply in March rose 3.2 pct from February

said.

2007-04-30 10:01:52

Hong Kong fiscal yr to March 2007 govt surplus 58.6 bln hkd vs 55.1 bln

HONG KONG (XFN-ASIA) - The Hong Kong government reported a surplus of 58.6

bln hkd from its operations for the fiscal year to March 2007, with expenditure

at 229.4 bln hkd and revenue at 288 bln.

2007-04-30 10:00:51

Euro zone April economic sentiment indicator 111.0 vs 111.1 in March

BRUSSELS (Thomson Financial) - The European Commission said its euro zone

economic sentiment indicator for April fell slightly to 111.0 from 111.1 in

March.

2007-04-30 10:00:36

Euro zone April prov HICP up 1.8 pct vs 1.9 in March

BRUSSELS (Thomson Financial) - The euro zone harmonised index of consumer

prices rose a provisional 1.8 pct year-on-year in April compared with a

year-on-year rise of 1.9 pct in March, EU statistics office Eurostat said.

2007-04-30 09:30:24

Signs of slowing in UK mortgage demand emerging - BBA

LONDON (Thomson Financial) - Signs that the UK housing market may be

starting to slow emerged today as a leading industry group reported that UK

mortgage approvals slowed from a year earlier while lending remained below its

average over the past six months.

2007-04-30 08:59:29

Austrian Feb industrial output up 1.4 pct from Jan, up 6.2 yr-on-yr

VIENNA (Thomson Financial) - Industrial output in Austria grew 1.4 pct in

February on the month, according to the national statistics agency Statistik

Austria.

2007-04-30 07:59:32

China end-March urban registered unemployment rate 4.1 pct - state planner

BEIJING (XFN-ASIA) - The urban registered unemployment rate was 4.1 pct at

the end of March, unchanged from the level at the end of 2006, the National

Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) said.

2007-04-30 07:00:15

German March retail sales down 0.7 pct vs Feb, up 0.5 pct yr-on-yr

WIESBADEN, Germany (Thomson Financial) - German retail sales were up 0.5 pct

in real terms in March compared with March 2007 and down 0.7 pct from February

this year, according to preliminary figures from the Federal Statistics Office.

2007-04-30 06:52:29

SKorea’s March service sector output up 4.8 pct yr-on-yr

SEOUL (XFN-ASIA) - Service sector output expanded 4.8 pct year-on-year in

March, easing from February’s 6.7 pct rise, with the real estate, education

services, transportation and wholesale and retail sectors seeing a slowdown, the

National Statistical Office said.

2007-04-30 05:00:18

UK smoking ban will dent hospitality sector - CEBR report

LONDON (Thomson Financial) - The upcoming UK smoking ban will dent spending

on alcohol and tobacco, weighing heavily on the hospitality sector, according to

think-tank, Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR).

2007-04-30 02:38:05

Australia March private sector credit up 1.1 pct from Feb, up 14.8 pct yr-on-yr

SYDNEY (XFN-ASIA) - Credit provided to the private sector by financial

intermediaries rose 1.2 pct month-on-month in March and was up 14.8 pct

year-on-year, the Reserve Bank of Australia said.

2007-04-30 00:01:16

UK Plc stays in buoyant mood despite strong pound, higher rates - Lloyds survey

LONDON (Thomson Financial) - UK Plc remains in buoyant mood despite the

strong pound and higher interest rates, according to a survey by Lloyds Bank.

2007-04-30 00:01:10

BoE could have avoided spike in CPI to above 3 pct - NIESR

LONDON (Thomson Financial) - The Bank of England (BoE) could have avoided

the surge in the CPI annual inflation rate to above 3.0 pct by hiking interest

rate earlier than it did, a leading UK think-tank argued.

2007-04-26 10:00:41

European govt bonds lower after strong survey data

LONDON (Thomson Financial) - European government bonds were lower after some

strong survey data out of the area showed that the euro’s recent strength has

yet to hurt confidence and the European Central Bank will remain on the rate

hiking path.

2007-04-26 09:55:09

Hong Kong March exports up 6.9 pct on-yr by value vs up 11.6 pct in Feb

HONG KONG (XFN-ASIA) - Hong Kong’s exports in March rose 6.9 pct from a year

earlier to 206.8 bln hkd, after an increase of 11.6 pct in February, the

government said.

2007-04-26 09:50:37

Putin attacks foreign interference in Russia in final state of nation speech

MOSCOW (Thomson Financial) - President Vladimir Putin said today, in what is

likely to be his final state of the nation speech, that foreign money is being

used to help his opponents in a direct interference in Russia’s affairs.

2007-04-26 09:40:53

Saxony April CPI up 0.3 pct from March, up 2.4 pct yr-on-yr

KAMENZ, Germany (Thomson Financial) - Consumer prices in the German state of

Saxony rose 0.3 pct in April from March and were up 2.4 pct year-on-year,

according to figures from the Saxony Statistics Office.

2007-04-26 09:30:58

Hong Kong March exports up 6.9 pct yr-on-yr by value vs up 11.6 pct in Feb

HONG KONG (XFN-ASIA) - Hong Kong’s exports in March rose 6.9 pct from a year

earlier to 206.8 bln hkd, after an increase of 11.6 pct in February, the

government said.

2007-04-26 08:31:50

Swedish April consumer confidence indicator 23.0 vs 15.4 in March

STOCKHOLM (Thomson Financial) - The Swedish consumer confidence indicator

rose to 23.0 in April from 15.4 in March, the National Institute of Economic

Research, Konjunkturinstitutet, said.

2007-04-26 07:51:52

French April business climate indicator 111 vs 109 in March

PARIS (Thomson Financial) - A composite indicator of French business

confidence rose to 111 in April from 109 in March, according to a monthly survey

of industrialists carried out by the statistics office Insee.

2007-04-26 07:10:34

Germany’s GfK sees May consumer climate index 5.5 vs 4.4 in April

NUREMBERG, Germany (Thomson Financial) - The GfK market research institute

said its consumer climate index for Germany is forecast to rise to 5.5 points in

May from 4.4 points in April.

2007-04-26 07:09:33

German March wholesale sales up 2.0 pct from Feb, up 2.0 pct yr-on-yr

WIESBADEN, Germany (Thomson Financial) - German wholesale sales rose 2.0 pct

in March from February and rose 2.0 pct year-on-year, both in real terms,

according to preliminary figures from the Federal Statistics Office.

2007-04-26 07:09:29

German March import prices up 0.6 from Feb; up 0.9 pct yr-on-yr

WIESBADEN, Germany (Thomson Financial) - German import prices rose 0.6 pct

in March from February and rose 0.9 pct from March last year, the Federal

Statistics Office said.

2007-04-26 07:01:12

UK house price growth accelerates in April - Nationwide

LONDON (Thomson Financial) - UK house price inflation in April accelerated

by more than expected, bolstering views that interest rates will be raised again

as early as next month, research by Nationwide showed.

2007-04-26 05:57:54

WTO cases against China do not point to trade war - US Treasury attache

BEIJING (XFN-ASIA) - The decision by the US to take China to the World Trade

Organization does not point to the start of a trade war, and is a legitimate

option for engagement between the two countries, the US Treasury’s China attache

said.

2007-04-26 05:29:30

China pension fund aims to lower equity investment to 30 pct - vice chairman

BEIJING (XFN-ASIA) - China’s state pension fund aims to reduce its exposure

to equities to around 30 pct of its portfolio by the end of the year, the fund’s

vice chairman said.

2007-04-26 05:23:30

China economy ‘growing too fast,’ must be kept sustainable - economic planner

BEIJING (XFN-ASIA) - China will continue to steer the economy towards a

sustainable track as it is currently “growing a little too fast,” said Zhu

Hongren, deputy general director of the bureau of economic operations at the

National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC).

2007-04-26 04:30:44

OUTLOOK European, US data due out today

LONDON (Thomson Financial) - GERMANY

-The German May GfK consumer confidence index is also seen improving, if

only in modest fashion, to 4.5 from 4.4

FRANCE

-The French April Insee business survey is seen staying put at 109.

2007-04-26 03:34:17

US Congress should extend ‘fast-track’ trade authority - Lamy

WASHINGTON (XFN-ASIA) - World Trade Organization head Pascal Lamy urged the

US Congress to extend special presidential trade powers to advance the stalled

Doha Round of global trade talks.

2007-04-26 01:58:41

Australia’s Westpac Feb leading index up 5.7 pct yr-on-yr

SYDNEY (XFN-ASIA) - The Westpac/Melbourne Institute leading index of

economic activity, which indicates the likely pace of economic activity 3-9

months into the future, rose 5.7 pct year-on-year in February after having risen

by a revised 4.9 pct over the year to January, Westpac Banking Corp said.

2007-04-26 01:44:45

Australia’s Westpac Feb leading index up 5.7 pct yr-on-yr vs 4.9 pct rise in Jan

SYDNEY (XFN-ASIA) - The Westpac/Melbourne Institute leading index of

economic activity, which indicates the likely pace of economic activity 3-9

months into the future, rose 5.7 pct year-on-year in February after having risen

by a revised 4.9 pct over the year to January, Westpac Banking Corp said.

2007-04-25 23:56:20

NZealand central bank raises official cash rate 25 bps to quell strong demand

SYDNEY (XFN-ASIA) - The Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) said it raised

its official cash rate by 25 basis points to 7.75 pct, marking the second

straight month that the central bank has increased its key rate in an attempt to

quell strong domestic demand.

2007-04-25 23:00:52

Internet pharmacy workers plead innocent

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) - Two former employees of an Internet pharmacy once

located here pleaded not guilty Wednesday to charges they conspired to

unlawfully distribute prescription drugs.

2007-04-30 10:09:05

Hong Kong March M1 money supply up 3.2 pct mth-on-mth, up 14.2 pct yr-on-yr

HONG KONG (XFN-ASIA) - M1 money supply in March rose 3.2 pct from February

said.

2007-04-30 10:01:52

Hong Kong fiscal yr to March 2007 govt surplus 58.6 bln hkd vs 55.1 bln

HONG KONG (XFN-ASIA) - The Hong Kong government reported a surplus of 58.6

bln hkd from its operations for the fiscal year to March 2007, with expenditure

at 229.4 bln hkd and revenue at 288 bln.

2007-04-30 10:00:51

Euro zone April economic sentiment indicator 111.0 vs 111.1 in March

BRUSSELS (Thomson Financial) - The European Commission said its euro zone

economic sentiment indicator for April fell slightly to 111.0 from 111.1 in

March.

2007-04-30 10:00:36

Euro zone April prov HICP up 1.8 pct vs 1.9 in March

BRUSSELS (Thomson Financial) - The euro zone harmonised index of consumer

prices rose a provisional 1.8 pct year-on-year in April compared with a

year-on-year rise of 1.9 pct in March, EU statistics office Eurostat said.

2007-04-30 09:30:24

Signs of slowing in UK mortgage demand emerging - BBA

LONDON (Thomson Financial) - Signs that the UK housing market may be

starting to slow emerged today as a leading industry group reported that UK

mortgage approvals slowed from a year earlier while lending remained below its

average over the past six months.

2007-04-30 08:59:29

Austrian Feb industrial output up 1.4 pct from Jan, up 6.2 yr-on-yr

VIENNA (Thomson Financial) - Industrial output in Austria grew 1.4 pct in

February on the month, according to the national statistics agency Statistik

Austria.

2007-04-30 07:59:32

China end-March urban registered unemployment rate 4.1 pct - state planner

BEIJING (XFN-ASIA) - The urban registered unemployment rate was 4.1 pct at

the end of March, unchanged from the level at the end of 2006, the National

Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) said.

2007-04-30 07:00:15

German March retail sales down 0.7 pct vs Feb, up 0.5 pct yr-on-yr

WIESBADEN, Germany (Thomson Financial) - German retail sales were up 0.5 pct

in real terms in March compared with March 2007 and down 0.7 pct from February

this year, according to preliminary figures from the Federal Statistics Office.

2007-04-30 06:52:29

SKorea’s March service sector output up 4.8 pct yr-on-yr

SEOUL (XFN-ASIA) - Service sector output expanded 4.8 pct year-on-year in

March, easing from February’s 6.7 pct rise, with the real estate, education

services, transportation and wholesale and retail sectors seeing a slowdown, the

National Statistical Office said.

2007-04-30 05:00:18

UK smoking ban will dent hospitality sector - CEBR report

LONDON (Thomson Financial) - The upcoming UK smoking ban will dent spending

on alcohol and tobacco, weighing heavily on the hospitality sector, according to

think-tank, Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR).

2007-04-30 02:38:05

Australia March private sector credit up 1.1 pct from Feb, up 14.8 pct yr-on-yr

SYDNEY (XFN-ASIA) - Credit provided to the private sector by financial

intermediaries rose 1.2 pct month-on-month in March and was up 14.8 pct

year-on-year, the Reserve Bank of Australia said.

2007-04-30 00:01:16

UK Plc stays in buoyant mood despite strong pound, higher rates - Lloyds survey

LONDON (Thomson Financial) - UK Plc remains in buoyant mood despite the

strong pound and higher interest rates, according to a survey by Lloyds Bank.

2007-04-30 00:01:10

BoE could have avoided spike in CPI to above 3 pct - NIESR

LONDON (Thomson Financial) - The Bank of England (BoE) could have avoided

the surge in the CPI annual inflation rate to above 3.0 pct by hiking interest

rate earlier than it did, a leading UK think-tank argued.

2007-04-30 10:09:05

Hong Kong March M1 money supply up 3.2 pct mth-on-mth, up 14.2 pct yr-on-yr

HONG KONG (XFN-ASIA) - M1 money supply in March rose 3.2 pct from February

said.

2007-04-30 10:01:52

Hong Kong fiscal yr to March 2007 govt surplus 58.6 bln hkd vs 55.1 bln

HONG KONG (XFN-ASIA) - The Hong Kong government reported a surplus of 58.6

bln hkd from its operations for the fiscal year to March 2007, with expenditure

at 229.4 bln hkd and revenue at 288 bln.

2007-04-30 10:00:51

Euro zone April economic sentiment indicator 111.0 vs 111.1 in March

BRUSSELS (Thomson Financial) - The European Commission said its euro zone

economic sentiment indicator for April fell slightly to 111.0 from 111.1 in

March.

2007-04-30 10:00:36

Euro zone April prov HICP up 1.8 pct vs 1.9 in March

BRUSSELS (Thomson Financial) - The euro zone harmonised index of consumer

prices rose a provisional 1.8 pct year-on-year in April compared with a

year-on-year rise of 1.9 pct in March, EU statistics office Eurostat said.

2007-04-30 09:30:24

Signs of slowing in UK mortgage demand emerging - BBA

LONDON (Thomson Financial) - Signs that the UK housing market may be

starting to slow emerged today as a leading industry group reported that UK

mortgage approvals slowed from a year earlier while lending remained below its

average over the past six months.

2007-04-30 08:59:29

Austrian Feb industrial output up 1.4 pct from Jan, up 6.2 yr-on-yr

VIENNA (Thomson Financial) - Industrial output in Austria grew 1.4 pct in

February on the month, according to the national statistics agency Statistik

Austria.

2007-04-30 07:59:32

China end-March urban registered unemployment rate 4.1 pct - state planner

BEIJING (XFN-ASIA) - The urban registered unemployment rate was 4.1 pct at

the end of March, unchanged from the level at the end of 2006, the National

Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) said.

2007-04-30 07:00:15

German March retail sales down 0.7 pct vs Feb, up 0.5 pct yr-on-yr

WIESBADEN, Germany (Thomson Financial) - German retail sales were up 0.5 pct

in real terms in March compared with March 2007 and down 0.7 pct from February

this year, according to preliminary figures from the Federal Statistics Office.

2007-04-30 06:52:29

SKorea’s March service sector output up 4.8 pct yr-on-yr

SEOUL (XFN-ASIA) - Service sector output expanded 4.8 pct year-on-year in

March, easing from February’s 6.7 pct rise, with the real estate, education

services, transportation and wholesale and retail sectors seeing a slowdown, the

National Statistical Office said.

2007-04-30 05:00:18

UK smoking ban will dent hospitality sector - CEBR report

LONDON (Thomson Financial) - The upcoming UK smoking ban will dent spending

on alcohol and tobacco, weighing heavily on the hospitality sector, according to

think-tank, Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR).

2007-04-30 02:38:05

Australia March private sector credit up 1.1 pct from Feb, up 14.8 pct yr-on-yr

SYDNEY (XFN-ASIA) - Credit provided to the private sector by financial

intermediaries rose 1.2 pct month-on-month in March and was up 14.8 pct

year-on-year, the Reserve Bank of Australia said.

2007-04-30 00:01:16

UK Plc stays in buoyant mood despite strong pound, higher rates - Lloyds survey

LONDON (Thomson Financial) - UK Plc remains in buoyant mood despite the

strong pound and higher interest rates, according to a survey by Lloyds Bank.

2007-04-30 00:01:10

BoE could have avoided spike in CPI to above 3 pct - NIESR

LONDON (Thomson Financial) - The Bank of England (BoE) could have avoided

the surge in the CPI annual inflation rate to above 3.0 pct by hiking interest

rate earlier than it did, a leading UK think-tank argued.

2007-04-19 10:00:28

German 5 institutes revise up 2007 GDP growth forecast to 2.4 pct vs 1.4

BERLIN (Thomson Financial) - Germany’s five research institutes have revised

upward their GDP growth forecast for this year to 2.4 pct from a previous 1.4

pct, buoyed by domestic demand as world demand for local exports continue.

2007-04-19 09:55:11

US ambassador says investment in Italy hit by rule changes, cites Telecom Italia

MILAN (Thomson Financial) - Constant changes in market rules is holding back

foreign investments in Italy and this is a reason why the growth of Italy’s GDP,

salaries and productivity lags behind other European countries, said US

ambassador to Italy Ronald Spogli.

2007-04-19 09:51:51

Hungary central bank sees lower-than-expected Feb wage growth as positive sign

BUDAPEST (Thomson Financial) - Lower-than-expected February wage growth in

Hungary was largely due to contained wages in industry and will be a positive

sign for Hungary’s national bank before its rate setting meeting on Monday,

analysts said.

2007-04-19 09:45:58

Hong Kong Jan-March unemployment 4.3 pct, unchanged from Dec-Feb

HONG KONG (XFN-ASIA) - The unemployment rate in Hong Kong during the three

months to March stood at 4.3 pct, unchanged from the December-February level,

the government said.

2007-04-19 09:33:50

China’s market prices up in Q1, domestic market sales accelerate - stats bureau

BEIJING (XFN-ASIA) - Market prices increased and sales on domestic markets

accelerated in the first quarter of this year, the National Bureau of Statistics

said in a statement.

2007-04-19 09:20:08

China food prices could create more inflationary pressure - stats bureau

BEIJING (XFN-ASIA) - Food prices in China could create more inflationary

pressure in the months ahead, National Bureau of Statistics spokesman Li

Xiaochao said.

2007-04-19 08:59:35

China aiming for stable, fast growth and avoid ‘hard landing’ - stats bureau

BEIJING (XFN-ASIA) - China is aiming at stable and fast economic growth and

its objective to avoid a “hard landing”, National Bureau of Statistics spokesman

Li Xiaochao said.

2007-04-19 08:58:21

China Q1 fixed-asset investment up 23.7 pct yr-on-year - stats bureau

BEIJING (XFN-ASIA) - China’s fixed-asset investment rose 23.7 pct to 1.752

trln yuan in the first three months of the year, the National Bureau of

Statistics said.

2007-04-19 08:56:47

China delay in Q1 data not result of ‘abnormal’ factors - stats bureau

BEIJING (XFN-ASIA) - The delay in announcing China’s first quarter economic

figures was not the result of any abnormal factors, said National Bureau of

Statistics spokesman Li Xiaochao.

2007-04-19 08:52:08

China urban per capita disposable income up 19.5 pct, rural up 15.2 pct - stats

BEIJING (XFN-ASIA) - The per capita disposable income of China’s urban and

rural residents in the first quarter rose 19.5 pct and 15.2 pct year-on-year,

respectively, the National Bureau of Statistics said (NBS).

2007-04-19 08:47:51

China economic growth stable, CPI rise driven by food prices - stats bureau

BEIJING (XFN-ASIA) - China’s overall economic growth is fast but stable,

National Bureau of Statistics spokesman Li Xiaochao said.

2007-04-19 08:39:57

DATAWATCH China Q1 GDP growth surprises but tempered by slow inflation-Citigroup

BEIJING (XFN-ASIA) - China’s first quarter economic growth surprised on the

upside, but despite investment also pouring in at a faster clip, the relatively

stable increases in the consumer price index (CPI), the chief barometer of

inflation, were still manageable and helping ease worries of economic

overheating on a national level, said Huang Yiping, economist with Citigroup in

Hong Kong.

2007-04-19 08:35:12

China Q1 industrial output up 18.3 pct yr-on-yr - stats bureau

BEIJING (XFN-ASIA) - China’s industrial output rose 18.3 pct year-on-year in

the first quarter, compared with 16.7 pct a year earlier, the National Bureau of

Statistics said in a statement.

2007-04-19 08:18:25

China Q1 GDP up 11.1 pct yr-on-yr - stats bureau

BEIJING (XFN-ASIA) - China’s gross domestic product (GDP) growth accelerated

11.1 pct year-on-year to 5.0287 trln yuan in the first quarter, compared with

10.4 pct in the fourth quarter and 10.7 pct in 2006, the National Bureau of

Statistics said.

2007-04-19 08:09:25

China March retail sales up 15.3 pct yr-on-yr stats bureau

BEIJING (XFN-ASIA) - China’s retail sales increased 15.3 pct year-on-year in

March, the National Bureau of Statistics said.

2007-04-19 08:08:58

China Q1 CPI up 2.7 pct yr-on-yr - statistics bureau

BEIJING (XFN-ASIA) - China’s consumer price index rose 2.7 pct year-on-year

in the first quarter, compared with an increase of 1.2 pct for the same period

last year, the National Bureau of Statistics said in a statement.

2007-04-19 08:08:06

China Q1 retail sales up 14.9 pct yr-on-yr at 2.119 trln yuan - stats bureau

BEIJING (XFN-ASIA) - China’s retail sales increased 14.9 pct year-on-year in

the first quarter to 2.119 trln yuan, the National Bureau of Statistics said in

a statement.

2007-04-19 08:07:44

China March industrial output up 17.6 pct yr-on-yr - stats bureau

BEIJING (XFN-ASIA) - China’s industrial output rose 17.6 pct year-on-year in

March, compared with 18.5 pct in the first two months of the year, the National

Bureau of Statistics said in a statement.

2007-04-19 08:07:18

China March CPI up 3.3 pct yr-on-yr - statistics bureau

BEIJING (XFN-ASIA) - China’s consumer price index rose 3.3 pct year-on-year

in March, compared with a 2.7 pct rise in February, the National Bureau of

Statistics said in a statement.

2007-04-19 08:06:59

China Q1 industrial output up 18.3 pct yr-on-yr stats bureau

BEIJING (XFN-ASIA) - Chinas industrial output rose 18.3 pct year-on-year in

the first quarter, compared with 16.7 pct a year earlier, the National Bureau of

Statistics said in a statement.

2007-04-19 08:06:22

China Q1 PPI up 2.9 pct yr-on-yr - Stats Bureau

BEIJING (XFN-ASIA) - China’s producer price index (PPI) rose 2.9 pct

year-on-year in the first quarter, compared with an increase of 2.9 pct a year

earlier, the National Bureau of Statistics said in a statement.

2007-04-19 08:03:53

Hungarian gross wages up 5.7 pct in Feb vs 7.1 pct in Jan - below forecast

BUDAPEST (Thomson Financial) - The gross average Hungarian wage was up 5.7

pct year-on-year in February compared to a rise of 7.1 pct in January, Hungary’s

statistical office said.

2007-04-19 07:34:10

Russia Q1 GDP up 7.9 pct - minister

MOSCOW (Thomson Financial) - Russian GDP grew 7.9 pct year on year in the

first quarter, Minister of Economic Development and Trade German Gref was quoted

as saying by Russian newswires.

2007-04-19 07:15:18

China Q1 ‘average’ CPI up 2.7 pct yr-on-yr - statistics bureau

BEIJING (XFN-ASIA) - China’s “average” consumer price index (CPI) rose by

2.7 pct in the first quarter, the National Bureau of Statistics said.

2007-04-19 07:05:38

Japan economy growing moderately but regional gaps remain, says BoJ

TOKYO (XFN-ASIA) - Japan’s regional economies are showing signs of continued

moderate expansion although gaps in wealth still exist among various regions,

the Bank of Japan said in a quarterly report.

2007-04-19 07:00:42

German March PPI up 0.3 pct vs Feb, up 2.5 pct yr-on-yr

WIESBADEN, Germany (Thomson Financial) - Producer prices in Germany rose 0.3

pct in March from February and rose 2.5 pct from March last year, the Federal

Statistics Office said.

2007-04-19 02:46:37

Japan Feb tertiary index rises 1.0 pct from Jan to highest since 1988

TOKYO (XFN-ASIA) - The tertiary index, which measures spending in the

services sector, increased 1.0 pct in February from January, rising for the

second straight month, following a revised 0.4 pct gain in January, the Ministry

of Economy, Trade and Industry said, citing preliminary data.

2007-04-19 02:04:15

Bank of Japan’s Fukui reiterates economy expanding moderately, deflation easing

TOKYO (XFN-ASIA) - Bank of Japan governor Toshihiko Fukui reiterated that

the Japanese economy is expanding moderately and deflationary pressure is

easing.

2007-04-19 00:56:36

Japan Feb tertiary index up 1.0 pct from Jan; 2nd straight monthly rise

TOKYO (XFN-ASIA) - The tertiary index, which measures spending in the

services sector, rose 1.0 pct in February from January, the second straight

monthly gain, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said, citing

preliminary data.

2007-04-18 23:28:01

Michigan unemployment rate at 6.5 pct

LANSING, Mich. (AP) - Michigan’s unemployment rate dropped in March for the

third month in a row to 6.5 percent, the lowest since October 2005.

2007-04-23 10:08:09

UK mortgage demand continued to slow in March - BBA

LONDON (Thomson Financial) - Demand for mortgages in the UK continued to

moderate in March as higher borrowing costs dampened households’ appetite for

loans, a leading industry group said today.

2007-04-23 10:00:24

Euro zone 2006 deficit 1.6 pct of GDP vs deficit 2.5; debt 45.8 pct vs 45.1

BRUSSELS (Thomson Financial) - The 13-country euro zone posted a deficit of

1.6 pct of GDP in 2006 compared with a 2.5 pct deficit in 2005, EU statistics

agency Eurostat said.

2007-04-23 09:59:57

World Bank independent report is ’searing indictment’ of Wolfowitz - report

LONDON (Thomson Financial) - An independent agency assessing the World

Bank’s effectiveness has issued a “searing indictment” on the leadership of

embattled president Paul Wolfowitz, the Financial Times reported.

2007-04-23 09:59:02

Hong Kong March CPI up 2.4 pct yr-on-yr vs up 0.8 pct in Feb

HONG KONG (XFN-ASIA) - The composite consumer price index (CPI) in March was

up 2.4 pct from a year earlier, compared with 0.8 pct increase in February, the

government said.

2007-04-23 09:43:34

UK March M4 money supply up 12.8 pct year-on-year; M4 lending up 12.7 bln stg

LONDON (Thomson Financial) - The Bank of England said provisional estimates

for M4 money, a broad measure of money supply, showed a rise of 1 pct in March

from February on a seasonally adjusted basis, for a 12.8 pct year-on-year rise.

2007-04-23 09:30:20

UK March mortgage lending highest ever for the month - CML

LONDON (Thomson Financial) - The UK housing market was strong in March with

gross mortgage lending registering a record performance for the month, the

Council of Mortgage Lenders said.

2007-04-23 09:30:09

UK mortgage lending hit highest ever level for month of March - BSA

LONDON (Thomson Financial) - The UK saw the biggest level of mortgage

lending for any March on record last week, although signs that the market is

beginning to cool are seen in a fall in the seasonally-adjusted number of

mortgage approvals, a leading industry group said today.

2007-04-23 09:16:48

Japan mulls investment fund to manage 909 bln usd of foreign reserves - report

LONDON (Thomson Financial) - Japan is looking at setting up a special state

investment fund to manage part of its 909 bln usd of foreign reserves, in a bid

to improve financial returns and mitigate the long-term impact of the ageing

population, the Financial Times reported.

2007-04-23 06:22:00

Japan March supermarket sales fall 1.5 pct yr-on-yr, down for 15th straight mth

TOKYO (XFN-ASIA) - Sales at supermarkets open for at least one year declined

1.5 pct in March from a year before to 1.128 trln yen, falling for the 15th

month in a row, as a sharp drop in temperature during the month hit sales

of spring clothing, the Japan Chain Stores Association said.

2007-04-23 02:52:37

Australia Q1 producer price index steady on Q4

SYDNEY (XFN-ASIA) - The final producer price index (PPI) for commodities,

excluding exports, was unchanged in the March quarter from the December quarter,

with a 0.1 pct increase in the domestic index but a 1.1 pct fall in the imports

component, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) said.

2007-04-23 02:42:54

Australia Q1 producer price index steady on Q4 versus consensus 0.6 pct rise

SYDNEY (XFN-ASIA) - The final producer price index (PPI) for commodities,

excluding exports, was unchanged in the Marcht quarter from the December

quarter, with a 0.1 pct increase in the domestic index but a 1.1 pct fall in the

imports component, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) said.

2007-04-23 01:35:57

China to step up controls on funds entering stock market - report

BEIJING (XFN-ASIA) - China will step up efforts to rein in rapid growth in

the stock market, with controls intended to bar those funds that should not be

invested in stocks, the official China Securities Journal reported, citing Zhang

Yutai, deputy director of the State Council’s Development and Research Center.

2007-04-23 00:01:08

UK businesses keep economy booming but risks are underestimated - ITEM Club

LONDON (Thomson Financial) - UK businesses are increasingly driving the

economy’s robust growth, although companies and individuals are too relaxed

about the risks associated with their borrowing and spending habits, a leading

economic consultancy said today.

2007-04-19 10:00:28

German 5 institutes revise up 2007 GDP growth forecast to 2.4 pct vs 1.4

BERLIN (Thomson Financial) - Germany’s five research institutes have revised

upward their GDP growth forecast for this year to 2.4 pct from a previous 1.4

pct, buoyed by domestic demand as world demand for local exports continue.

2007-04-19 09:55:11

US ambassador says investment in Italy hit by rule changes, cites Telecom Italia

MILAN (Thomson Financial) - Constant changes in market rules is holding back

foreign investments in Italy and this is a reason why the growth of Italy’s GDP,

salaries and productivity lags behind other European countries, said US

ambassador to Italy Ronald Spogli.

2007-04-19 09:51:51

Hungary central bank sees lower-than-expected Feb wage growth as positive sign

BUDAPEST (Thomson Financial) - Lower-than-expected February wage growth in

Hungary was largely due to contained wages in industry and will be a positive

sign for Hungary’s national bank before its rate setting meeting on Monday,

analysts said.

2007-04-19 09:45:58

Hong Kong Jan-March unemployment 4.3 pct, unchanged from Dec-Feb

HONG KONG (XFN-ASIA) - The unemployment rate in Hong Kong during the three

months to March stood at 4.3 pct, unchanged from the December-February level,

the government said.

2007-04-19 09:33:50

China’s market prices up in Q1, domestic market sales accelerate - stats bureau

BEIJING (XFN-ASIA) - Market prices increased and sales on domestic markets

accelerated in the first quarter of this year, the National Bureau of Statistics

said in a statement.

2007-04-19 09:20:08

China food prices could create more inflationary pressure - stats bureau

BEIJING (XFN-ASIA) - Food prices in China could create more inflationary

pressure in the months ahead, National Bureau of Statistics spokesman Li

Xiaochao said.

2007-04-19 08:59:35

China aiming for stable, fast growth and avoid ‘hard landing’ - stats bureau

BEIJING (XFN-ASIA) - China is aiming at stable and fast economic growth and

its objective to avoid a “hard landing”, National Bureau of Statistics spokesman

Li Xiaochao said.

2007-04-19 08:58:21

China Q1 fixed-asset investment up 23.7 pct yr-on-year - stats bureau

BEIJING (XFN-ASIA) - China’s fixed-asset investment rose 23.7 pct to 1.752

trln yuan in the first three months of the year, the National Bureau of

Statistics said.

2007-04-19 08:56:47

China delay in Q1 data not result of ‘abnormal’ factors - stats bureau

BEIJING (XFN-ASIA) - The delay in announcing China’s first quarter economic

figures was not the result of any abnormal factors, said National Bureau of

Statistics spokesman Li Xiaochao.

2007-04-19 08:52:08

China urban per capita disposable income up 19.5 pct, rural up 15.2 pct - stats

BEIJING (XFN-ASIA) - The per capita disposable income of China’s urban and

rural residents in the first quarter rose 19.5 pct and 15.2 pct year-on-year,

respectively, the National Bureau of Statistics said (NBS).

2007-04-19 08:47:51

China economic growth stable, CPI rise driven by food prices - stats bureau

BEIJING (XFN-ASIA) - China’s overall economic growth is fast but stable,

National Bureau of Statistics spokesman Li Xiaochao said.

2007-04-19 08:39:57

DATAWATCH Chi