Shop prices kept in check December 7, 2010 INTENSE competition between retailers in the run up to Christmas is driving down shop price inflation, new figures reveal today. Shop prices are rising at a much slower rate than overall inflation, the Shop Price Index (SPI) showed. For the first time in five months year on year shop price inflation actually fell, down to [...]
Twin imposters triumph and disaster lurking December 5, 2010 So here we are just a few weeks before Christmas and those twin imposters triumph and disaster lurk behind every corner. England lose a brilliant World Cup bid that they could never win, only for the cricket team to comprehensively outplay Australia and take control in the Ashes. On Coronation Street four actors will lose [...]
China declares shift to “prudent” monetary policy December 3, 2010 CHINA will switch to a prudent monetary policy from a moderately loose stance, the Communist Party’s top leaders decided on Friday, a change that could pave the way for more interest rate increases and lending controls. At the same time, the Politburo elected to maintain China’s proactive fiscal policy, an indication that the government wants [...]
…..but high inflation scares China December 1, 2010 HIGH inflation is haunting China’s industrial sector, data from HSBC showed yesterday. Input prices shot up at the fourth fastest rate in the history of the Purchasing Managers Index (PMI). Economists pointed to low supply of goods, and panic buying in the face of further price rises. Prices of cotton, grain, oil and steel all [...]
FOOD PRICES PUT FOCUS ON AGRIBUSINESS December 1, 2010 SENIOR ANALYST, ETF SECURITIES Most agriculture prices have seen double-digit gains this year, reflecting a trend towards higher and more volatile prices since 2003. For agribusiness, this could lead to stronger returns for agriculture producers and support companies, irrespective of near-term gyrations in the business cycle, if suppliers strive to boost productivity. Rising prices have [...]
Inflation up in OECD countries November 30, 2010 Consumer prices in October were 1.9 per cent higher than the previous year in member states of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), they announced yesterday. The rate of inflation was higher than in September, when it measured 1.7 per cent higher than the previous year. The figures were largely driven up by [...]
China succumbs to inflation rise November 24, 2010 The Chinese government may rise the target rate of inflation in spite of saying that prices are under control, it was reported yesterday. Inflation was recorded at 4.4 per cent in October, dragged upwards by escalating food prices, which rose by 10.1 per cent. But now the government may have to increase its target rate [...]
CHINA REASSURES POOR OVER?FOOD?PRICES November 22, 2010 CHINA’S government yesterday insisted that inflation is firmly under control, after food prices jumped 10.1 per cent in October. The government threatened price controls, and promised food subsidies for the poor. Meanwhile, Thailand technically entered recession after its economy retracted for the second quarter in a row, falling by 0.2 per cent. The annual rate [...]
China tries to curb food prices after consumer inflation hits two-year high November 22, 2010 CHINA said yesterday it would step up efforts to keep commodity prices stable, in its latest attempt to keep fast-rising inflation rates in check. China’s central cabinet has asked local governments to increase agricultural production and keep a constant coal, oil and gas supply in a seven-page circular. The government has urged local groups to [...]
How to defuse a time bomb: China worries about liquidity November 21, 2010 IF ANYONE had needed more proof of the extent of global economic imbalance, then last week’s inflation figures ought to have been enough. Despite unprecedented monetary ease, America’s inflation rate is running at 0.6 per cent, the lowest level in 53 years. In China, however, money is abundant and inflation is running at 4.4 per [...]