Official sources revealed Monday that the number of retail sales unexpectedly fell last month in Australia. In a report informed the Australian Federal Office of Statistics, the number of retail sales in Australia of 1.2% in June to -0.6%, seasonally adjusted, fell (the number before the correction was 1.1%). (more...)

Activity in the Swedish economy, rose slightly in December, according to the estimated trend of the Activity Index. Trend value increased by 0.1 percent in December compared with November. If this pace were to continue for twelve months, it means an increase of 1.1 percent annual rate. The increase is explained by merchandise exports, industrial output and retail sales, according to the trend. Imports of goods resulted in a negative contribution, while hours worked by public employees only marginally affected the activity index. The change of the trend value of the activity index from December 2008 to December 2009 was -2.8 percent. Seasonally adjusted Activity Index, which more than trend affected by temporary disturbances grew by 0.2 percent compared with the month of November.