Recent Updates
- ** India's RBI Effective XR have rebased from 2004-05=100 to 2015-16=100. We are currently working on these changes. **
- Korea: Passenger Car Trade (Q4), MOTIE Trade (Feb)
- Manufacturing PMIs: Japan, China (Feb)
- Australia: MI Inflation Gauge Index, Avg Weekly Job Ads (Feb),
- more updates...
Economy in Brief
Chicago Business Barometer Declines Sharply in February
The ISM-Chicago Purchasing Managers Business Barometer fell 4.3 points in February to 59.5...
Goods Trade Deficit Widened Slightly in January
The advance estimate of the U.S. trade deficit in goods widened slightly to $83.74 billion in January..
Japan's Industrial Sector Mounts a Comeback
Japan's IP surged in January gaining 4.3% compared to December...
Aircraft Orders Boost U.S. Durable Goods Orders in January
Manufacturers' orders for durable goods increased a much larger-than-expected 3.4% m/m (4.5% y/y) in January...
Kansas City Fed Manufacturing Index Increases Again in February
The Kansas City Fed reported that its manufacturing sector business activity index rose to 24 in February...
Viewpoints
Commentaries are the opinions of the author and do not reflect the views of Haver Analytics.
by Louise Curley October 10, 2005
French industrial production, excluding construction, rose 0.8% in August after falling 0.7% in July. The rise brings the index to 101.4 (2000=100) its highest level since February of this year. Production of consumer goods, excluding autos, was up 0.98% in the month and 1.87% over August, 2004. Auto production fell 3.06% in August, but was even with production in August, 2004. Capital goods production rose 0.49% in August and was 1.87% above the year ago figure. The largest increase among the components of industrial production was a 1.92% increase in intermediate goods, suggesting that manufactures may be increasing inventories. While the rise in production is encouraging, it does not, so far, indicate any marked improvement in the relatively flat trend that has persisted since mid 2003.
Increased activity in French construction in the month of August was also reported today. The index rose 1.82% from July to 106.3 (2000=100). The level of construction was, however, slightly below that of a year ago. Construction activity, in contrast to production activity, has shown a slight downward trend since mid 2003. The rise in construction activity in August, like that in production, does not yet indicate a change in the trend. The industrial production and construction indexes are shown in the first chart.
German exports of goods were 67.30 billion euros in August, a 3.52% increase from July and a 10.76% increase from August of a year ago. The 10% decline in the euro this year and good demand outside the euro area have been largely responsible for the good showing. Imports, however, increased 6.01% in August and were 12.77% over the corresponding month of a year ago, due in part to the increased price of oil. As a result, the balance on goods fell 0.81 billion euros from 13.46 billion euros in July to 12.65 billion euros in August but was 0.35 billion euros above August 2004. German exports and imports of goods are shown in the second chart.
France | Aug 05 | Jul 05 | Aug 04 | M/M % | Y/Y % | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Industrial Production, ex construction (2000=100) | 101.4 | 100.6 | 100.4 | 0.80 | 1.00 | 101.3 | 99.6 | 99.9 |
Consumer goods, ex autos | 103.5 | 102.5 | 101.6 | 0.98 | 1.87 | 101.6 | 99.5 | 99.3 |
Autos | 107.7 | 111.1 | 107.7 | -3.06 | 0.00 | 112.8 | 107.6 | 108.9 |
Capital goods | 103.3 | 102.8 | 101.4 | 0.49 | 1.87 | 101.4 | 99.1 | 99.0 |
Intermediate goods | 95.6 | 93.8 | 95.4 | 1.92 | 0.21 | 96.1 | 94.8 | 96.7 |
Construction (2000=100) | 106.3 | 104.4 | 106.4 | 1.82 | -0.09 | 107.4 | 105.5 | 105.0 |
Germany | Aug 05 | Jul 05 | Aug 04 | M/M % | Y/Y % | 2004 Mo Avg |
2003 Mo Avg |
2002 Mo Avg |
Exports SA (Bil euros) | 67.30 | 65.01 | 60.76 | 3.52 | 10.76 | 60.48 | 55.57 | 54.54 |
Imports | 54.65 | 51.55 | 48.46 | 6.01 | 12.77 | 47.65 | 44.66 | 43.33 |
Balance | 12.65 | 13.46 | 12.30 | -0.81* | 0.35* | 12.82 | 10.91 | 11.16 |