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The Australian Services Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) measures the activity level of purchasing managers in the services sector. The report is based on surveys of over 300 business executives in private sector services companies. Each response is weighted according to the size of the company and its contribution to total manufacturing or services output accounted for by the sub-sector to which that company belongs. Replies from larger companies have a greater impact on the final index numbers than those from small companies. Results are presented by question asked, showing the percentage of respondents reporting an improvement, deterioration or no change since the previous month.From these percentages, an index is derived: a level of 50.0 signals no change since the previous month, above 50.0 signals an increase (or improvement), below 50.0 a decrease (or contraction). Traders watch these surveys closely as purchasing managers usually have early access to data about their company’s performance, which can be a leading indicator of overall economic performance. A higher than expected reading should be taken as positive/bullish for the AUD , while a lower than expected reading should be taken as negative/bearish for the AUD.

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) measures the change in the price of goods and services from the perspective of the consumer. It is a key way to measure changes in purchasing trends and inflation.

A higher than expected reading should be taken as positive/bullish for the KRW, while a lower than expected reading should be taken as negative/bearish for the KRW.

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) measures the change in the price of goods and services from the perspective of the consumer. It is a key way to measure changes in purchasing trends and inflation.

A higher than expected reading should be taken as positive/bullish for the KRW, while a lower than expected reading should be taken as negative/bearish for the KRW.

Total Vehicle Sales measures the annualized number of new vehicles sold domestically in the reported month. It is an important indicator of consumer spending and is also correlated to consumer confidence.

A higher than expected reading should be taken as positive/bullish for the USD, while a lower than expected reading should be taken as negative/bearish for the USD.

The survey covers transport & communication, financial intermediation, business services, personal services, computing & IT and hotels & restaurants. Each response received is weighted according to the size of the company to which the questionnaire refers & the contribution to total service sector output accounted for by the sub-sector to which that company belongs.This therefore ensures that replies from larger companies have a greater impact on the final index numbers than replies from small companies.The results are presented by question asked, showing the % of respondents reporting an improvement, deterioration or no-change since the previous month.From these %, an index is derived such that a level of 50.0 signals no-change since the previous month.Above 50.0 signals an increase (or improvement),below 50.0 a decrease(or deterioration).The greater the divergence from 50.0, the greater the rate of change signaled.

The survey covers transport & communication, financial intermediation, business services, personal services, computing & IT and hotels & restaurants. Each response received is weighted according to the size of the company to which the questionnaire refers & the contribution to total service sector output accounted for by the sub-sector to which that company belongs.This therefore ensures that replies from larger companies have a greater impact on the final index numbers than replies from small companies.The results are presented by question asked, showing the % of respondents reporting an improvement, deterioration or no-change since the previous month.From these %, an index is derived such that a level of 50.0 signals no-change since the previous month.Above 50.0 signals an increase (or improvement),below 50.0 a decrease(or deterioration).The greater the divergence from 50.0, the greater the rate of change signaled.

The Chart Pack summarises macroeconomic and financial market trends in Australia and provides some information about developments for Australia's main trading partners.

Retail Sales measure the change in the total value of inflation-adjusted sales at the retail level. It is the foremost indicator of consumer spending, which accounts for the majority of overall economic activity.

A higher than expected reading should be taken as positive/bullish for the AUD, while a lower than expected reading should be taken as negative/bearish for the AUD.

The Core Consumer Price Index (CPI) measures the changes in the price of goods and services, excluding food and energy. The CPI measures price change from the perspective of the consumer. It is a key way to measure changes in purchasing trends and inflation.

A higher than expected reading should be taken as positive/bullish for the PHP, while a lower than expected reading should be taken as negative/bearish for the PHP.

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) measures the change in the price of goods and services from the perspective of the consumer. It is a key way to measure changes in purchasing trends and inflation.

The impact on the currency may go both ways, a rise in CPI may lead to a rise in interest rates and a rise in local currency, on the other hand, during recession, a rise in CPI may lead to a deepened recession and therefore a fall in local currency.

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) measures the change in the price of goods and services from the perspective of the consumer. It is a key way to measure changes in purchasing trends and inflation. A higher than expected reading should be taken as positive/bullish for the PHP , while a lower than expected reading should be taken as negative/bearish for the PHP.

The Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) governor decides where to set the rate after consulting senior bank staff and external advisers. Traders watch interest rate changes closely as short term interest rates are the primary factor in currency valuation.

A higher than expected rate is positive/bullish for the NZD, while a lower than expected rate is negative/bearish for the NZD.

The Reserve Bank of New Zealand's rate statement is the primary tool the panel uses to communicate with investors about monetary policy. It contains the outcome of the vote on interest rates, discusses the economic outlook and offers clues on the outcome of future votes.

A more dovish than expected statement could be taken as negative/bearish for the NZD, while a more hawkish than expected statement could be taken as positive/bullish for the NZD.

The consumer price index (CPI) is a measure of change over a specified period oftime in the general level of prices of goods and services that a given population acquires, uses or pays for consumption. It compares a household's cost for a specific basket of finished goods and services with the cost of the same basket during an earlier benchmark period.

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) measures the change in the price of goods and services from the perspective of the consumer. It is a key way to measure changes in purchasing trends and inflation.A higher than expected reading should be taken as positive/bullish for the THB , while a lower than expected reading should be taken as negative/bearish for the THB.

Retail Sales measure the change in the total value of inflation-adjusted sales at the retail level. It is the foremost indicator of consumer spending, which accounts for the majority of overall economic activity.

A higher than expected reading should be taken as positive/bullish for the SGD, while a lower than expected reading should be taken as negative/bearish for the SGD.

Retail Sales measure the change in the total value of inflation-adjusted sales at the retail level. It is the foremost indicator of consumer spending, which accounts for the majority of overall economic activity.

A higher than expected reading should be taken as positive/bullish for the SGD, while a lower than expected reading should be taken as negative/bearish for the SGD.

Balance of payments is a set of accounts recording all economic transactions between the residents of the country and the rest of the world in a given period of time, usually one year. Payments into the country are called credits, payments out of the country are called debits. There are three main components of a balance of payments: - current account - capital account - financial account Either a surplus or a deficit can be shown in any of these components. Current account records the values of the following: - trade balance exports and imports of goods and services - income payments and expenditure interest, dividends, salaries - unilateral transfers aid, taxes, one-way gifts It shows how a country deals with the global economy on a non-investment basis. Balance of payments shows strenghts and weaknesses in a country's economy and therefore helps to achieve balanced economic growth. The release of a balance of payments can have a significant effect on the exchange rate of a national currency against other currencies. It is also important to investors of domestic companies that depend on exports. Positive current account balance is when inflows from its components into the country exceed outflows of the capital leaving the country. Current account surplus may strengthen the demand for local currency. Persistent deficit may lead to a depreciation of a currency.

Exports of goods and services consist of transactions in goods and services (sales, barter, gifts or grants) from residents to non-residents.Exports free onboard (f.o.b.) and Imports cost insurance freight (c.i.f.) are, in general, customs statistics reported under the general trade statistics according to the recommendations of the UN International Trade Statistics. For some countries Imports are reported as f.o.b. instead of c.i.f. which is generally accepted. When reporting Imports as f.o.b. you will have the effect of reducing the value of Imports by the amount of the cost of insurance and freight.

Exports free on board (f.o.b.) and Imports cost insurance freight (c.i.f.) are, in general, customs statistics reported under the general trade statistics according to the recommendations of the UN International Trade Statistics. For some countries Imports are reported as f.o.b. instead of c.i.f. which is generally accepted. When reporting Imports as f.o.b. you will have the effect ofreducing the value of Imports by the amount of the cost of insurance and freight.

The Trade Balance measures the difference in worth between exported and imported goods over the month. A positive number indicates that more goods were exported than imported.

A higher than expected reading should be taken as positive/bullish for the EUR, while a lower than expected reading should be taken as negative/bearish for the EUR.

The Russian HSBC Services PMI is compiled by questionnaires sent to purchasing executives in private service sector companies. The panel has been carefully selected to accurately replicate the true structure of the services economy. The HSBC Services PMI Index is developed for providing the most up-to-date possible indication of what is really happening in the private sector economy by tracking variables such as sales, employment, inventories and prices.A higher than expected reading should be taken as positive/bullish for the RUB , while a lower than expected reading should be taken as negative/bearish for the RUB.

French Industrial Production measures the change in the total inflation-adjusted value of output produced by French manufacturers, mines, and utilities.

A higher than expected reading should be taken as positive/bullish for the EUR, while a lower than expected reading should be taken as negative/bearish for the EUR.

The Spanish Services Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) measures the activity level of purchasing managers in the services sector.

The report is based on surveys of over 300 business executives in private sector services companies.

Data is usually released on the third working day of each month.Each response is weighted according to the size of the company and its contribution to total manufacturing or services output accounted for by the sub-sector to which that company belongs.

Replies from larger companies have a greater impact on the final index numbers than those from small companies. Results are presented by question asked, showing the percentage of respondents reporting an improvement, deterioration or no change since the previous month.From these percentages, an index is derived: a level of 50.0 signals no change since the previous month, above 50.0 signals an increase (or improvement), below 50.0 a decrease (or contraction).

Traders watch these surveys closely as purchasing managers usually have early access to data about their company’s performance, which can be a leading indicator of overall economic performance.

A higher than expected reading should be taken as positive/bullish for the EUR , while a lower than expected reading should be taken as negative/bearish for the EUR.

The Composite PMI Index measures the activity level of purchasing managers in the both sectors. A reading above 50 indicates expansion in the sector; a reading below 50 indicates contraction. A higher than expected reading should be taken as positive/bullish for the EUR, while a lower than expected reading should be taken as negative/bearish for the EUR.

The Italian Services Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) measures the activity level of purchasing managers in the services sector.

The report is based on surveys of about 450 business executives in private sector services companies.

Data is usually released on the third working day of each month.Each response is weighted according to the size of the company and its contribution to total manufacturing or services output accounted for by the sub-sector to which that company belongs.

Replies from larger companies have a greater impact on the final index numbers than those from small companies. Results are presented by question asked, showing the percentage of respondents reporting an improvement, deterioration or no change since the previous month.From these percentages, an index is derived: a level of 50.0 signals no change since the previous month, above 50.0 signals an increase (or improvement), below 50.0 a decrease (or contraction).

Traders watch these surveys closely as purchasing managers usually have early access to data about their company’s performance, which can be a leading indicator of overall economic performance.

A higher than expected reading should be taken as positive/bullish for the EUR , while a lower than expected reading should be taken as negative/bearish for the EUR.

The PMI monthly Composite Reports on Manufacturing and Services are based on surveys of over 300 business executives in private sector manufacturing companies and also 300 private sector services companies.Data is usually released on the third working day of each month.Each response is weighted according to the size of the company and its contribution to total manufacturing or services output accounted for by the sub-sector to which that company belongs. Replies from larger companies have a greater impact on the final index numbers than those from small companies.Results are presented by question asked, showing the percentage of respondents reporting an improvement, deterioration or no change since the previous month.From these percentages, an index is derived: a level of 50.0 signals no change since the previous month, above 50.0 signals an increase (or improvement), below 50.0 a decrease (or contraction).A higher than expected reading should be taken as positive/bullish for the EUR , while a lower than expected reading should be taken as negative/bearish for the EUR.

The French Services Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) measures the activity level of purchasing managers in the services sector.

The report is based on surveys of over 300 business executives in private sector services companies.

Data is usually released on the third working day of each month.Each response is weighted according to the size of the company and its contribution to total manufacturing or services output accounted for by the sub-sector to which that company belongs.

Replies from larger companies have a greater impact on the final index numbers than those from small companies. Results are presented by question asked, showing the percentage of respondents reporting an improvement, deterioration or no change since the previous month.From these percentages, an index is derived: a level of 50.0 signals no change since the previous month, above 50.0 signals an increase (or improvement), below 50.0 a decrease (or contraction).

Traders watch these surveys closely as purchasing managers usually have early access to data about their company’s performance, which can be a leading indicator of overall economic performance.

A higher than expected reading should be taken as positive/bullish for the EUR , while a lower than expected reading should be taken as negative/bearish for the EUR.

The PMI monthly Composite Reports on Manufacturing and Services are based on surveys of over 300 business executives in private sector manufacturing companies and also 300 private sector services companies. Data is usually released on the third working day of each month. Each response is weighted according to the size of the company and its contribution to total manufacturing or services output accounted for by the sub-sector to which that company belongs. Replies from larger companies have a greater impact on the final index numbers than those from small companies. Results are presented by question asked, showing the percentage of respondents reporting an improvement, deterioration or no change since the previous month. From these percentages, an index is derived: a level of 50.0 signals no change since the previous month, above 50.0 signals an increase (or improvement), below 50.0 a decrease.

The German Services Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) measures the activity level of purchasing managers in the services sector.

The report is based on surveys of over 300 business executives in private sector services companies.

Data is usually released on the third working day of each month.Each response is weighted according to the size of the company and its contribution to total manufacturing or services output accounted for by the sub-sector to which that company belongs.

Replies from larger companies have a greater impact on the final index numbers than those from small companies. Results are presented by question asked, showing the percentage of respondents reporting an improvement, deterioration or no change since the previous month.From these percentages, an index is derived: a level of 50.0 signals no change since the previous month, above 50.0 signals an increase (or improvement), below 50.0 a decrease (or contraction).

Traders watch these surveys closely as purchasing managers usually have early access to data about their company’s performance, which can be a leading indicator of overall economic performance.

A higher than expected reading should be taken as positive/bullish for the EUR , while a lower than expected reading should be taken as negative/bearish for the EUR.

The PMI monthly Composite Reports on Manufacturing and Services are based on surveys of over 300 business executives in private sector manufacturing companies and also 300 private sector services companies. Data is usually released on the third working day of each month. Each response is weighted according to the size of the company and its contribution to total manufacturing or services output accounted for by the sub-sector to which that company belongs. Replies from larger companies have a greater impact on the final index numbers than those from small companies. Results are presented by question asked, showing the percentage of respondents reporting an improvement, deterioration or no change since the previous month. From these percentages, an index is derived: a level of 50.0 signals no change since the previous month, above 50.0 signals an increase (or improvement), below 50.0 a decrease (or contraction).

The Euro-zone Services Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) measures the activity level of purchasing managers in the services sector.

The report is based on surveys of about 600 business executives in private sector services companies.

Data is usually released on the third working day of each month.Each response is weighted according to the size of the company and its contribution to total manufacturing or services output accounted for by the sub-sector to which that company belongs.

Replies from larger companies have a greater impact on the final index numbers than those from small companies. Results are presented by question asked, showing the percentage of respondents reporting an improvement, deterioration or no change since the previous month.From these percentages, an index is derived: a level of 50.0 signals no change since the previous month, above 50.0 signals an increase (or improvement), below 50.0 a decrease (or contraction).

Traders watch these surveys closely as purchasing managers usually have early access to data about their company’s performance, which can be a leading indicator of overall economic performance.

A higher than expected reading should be taken as positive/bullish for the EUR , while a lower than expected reading should be taken as negative/bearish for the EUR.

FX Reserves measures the foreign assets held or controlled by the country's central bank. The reserves are made of gold or a specific currency. They can also be special drawing rights and marketable securities denominated in foreign currencies like treasury bills, government bonds, corporate bonds and equities and foreign currency loans.

A higher than expected number should be taken as positive to the TWD, while a lower than expected number as negative.

The Composite PMI Index measures the activity level of purchasing managers in the both sectors. A reading above 50 indicates expansion in the sector; a reading below 50 indicates contraction. A higher than expected reading should be taken as positive/bullish for the GBP, while a lower than expected reading should be taken as negative/bearish for the GBP.

The Services Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) measures the activity level of purchasing managers in the services sector. A reading above 50 indicates expansion in the sector; a reading below 50 indicates contraction. Traders watch these surveys closely as purchasing managers usually have early access to data about their company’s performance, which can be a leading indicator of overall economic performance.

A higher than expected reading should be taken as positive/bullish for the GBP, while a lower than expected reading should be taken as negative/bearish for the GBP.

Housing Equity Withdrawal measures the change in the total value of new home-secured loans that are not used for home purchases or improvements.

A higher than expected reading should be taken as positive/bullish for the GBP, while a lower than expected reading should be taken as negative/bearish for the GBP.

The Central Bank's main instrument is its repurchase agreements (repos) with credit institutions. Repos are a common form of central bank lending in many parts of the world. Trading involves the lender, i.e., the Central Bank, purchasing securities with a condition that the borrower will buy them back on a specified day, hence the term "repurchase agreements." The incentive for such transactions is the credit institutions' need for short-term liquidity. Central banks can take advantage of this need to influence market interest rates. In Iceland the Central Bank holds weekly auctions of 7-day repos. Credit institutions are required to put up qualified securities as collateral, i.e., securities carrying a treasury guarantee and with active market making on Iceland Stock Exchange. Auctions can be either in terms of fixed prices, i.e. when the Central Bank offers to buy an unlimited amount of securities at a specified yield, or the total amount of agreements on offer is announced and the return is determined by market conditions, at least within certain limits. Fixed-price auctions have been the rule so far in Iceland.

The figures displayed in the calendar represent the yield on the Treasury Gilt auctioned.

U.K. Treasury Gilts have maturities up to 50 years. Governments issue treasuries to borrow money to cover the gap between the amount they receive in taxes and the amount they spend to refinance existing debt and/or to raise capital. The rate on a Treasury Gilt represents the return an investor will receive by holding the note for its entire duration. All bidders receive the same rate at the highest accepted bid.

Yield fluctuations should be monitored closely as an indicator of the government debt situation. Investors compare the average rate at auction to the rate at previous auctions of the same security.

Unemployment is the total number of all persons above a specified age, who in a short reference period were: not employed, available for work (either for paid work or for self employment) and were seeking work (were actively searching for employment or taking active steps towards self-employment).The Live Register is compiled from returns made directly to the Central Statistics Office by each local office of the Department of Social and Family Affairs. It comprises persons under 65 years of age in the following classes: All Claimants for Unemployment Benefit (UB) excluding systematic short-time workers Applicants for Unemployment Assistance (UA) excluding smallholders/farm assists and other self-employed persons Other registrants including applicants for credited Social Welfare contributions but excluding those directly involved in an industrial dispute.

OPEC meetings are attended by representatives from 13 oil-rich nations. They discuss a range of topics regarding energy markets and agree on how much oil they will produce. OPEC is responsible for nearly 40% of the world's oil supply.

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) measures the change in the price of goods and services from the perspective of the consumer. It is a key way to measure changes in purchasing trends and inflation.

A higher than expected reading should be taken as positive/bullish for the COP, while a lower than expected reading should be taken as negative/bearish for the COP.