(Reuters) – US homebuilder confidence boosted for a third straight month in August to hit its highest level ever, as record-low interest rates boost the buyer’s sales, data released Monday in the latest indication show that the housing market is a rare bright spot in the economic crisis triggered by …
Read More »Japanese economy shrinks at record pace as pandemic hits spending
TOKYO (Reuters) – Japan was hit by its biggest economic contraction on record in the second quarter when the coronavirus pandemic burned businesses and consumer spending, keeping policymakers under pressure for bold action to prevent the recession from escalating. FILE PHOTO: People cross a street in a business district in …
Read More »China’s economic recovery is underway as consumer comeback remains inevitable
BEIJING (Reuters) – China’s retail sales fell in July, sparking high expectations for modest growth as consumers in the world’s second-largest economy failed to shake warnings about the coronavirus while recovering of the manufacturing sector struggled to pick up pace. Asian markets pulled back Friday from the disappointing set of …
Read More »Investors in Belarus face ‘dictatorship dilemma’, Putin may hold the key
LONDON (Reuters) – Investors face a classic ‘dictatorial dilemma’ in Belarus – hold on to securities that take advantage of the status quo in a brutal regime, or sell them and close their bonds – but whichever way they go, for largely dependent on Vladimir Putin’s Russia. PHOTO PHOTO: Russian …
Read More »U.S. retail sales kick off in July; obstacles mount for emerging economic recovery
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. retail sales increased less than expected in July as consumers cut back on motorcycle purchases, and could move slowly in the months ahead amid spiraling new COVID-19 infections and a reduction in controls for unemployment benefits. Despite the moderation in retail sales reported by the Department …
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