Oil’s falling, the US is balling and the rest of the world’s economies seem to be crawling this week.
1. Oil Prices
Yes, they’re still falling. Both are down more than 40% for the year.
2. Oil Outlook
The International Energy Agency cut its 2015 oil consumption outlook again, as it’s done almost every month since it start making the projections in July.
3. US Industrial Prices
This one’s an oil story too, in a way. The cost of making stuff is falling, led lower by two consecutive months of big energy savings—though prices are falling even without energy and food factored in.
4. Japanese GDP
The country’s recession got off to a worse start than initially thought.
5. Russian rate hike
Having already given up on using its foreign exchange reserves, the Central Bank of Russia is is again raising interest rates in order to draw investment, cut down on inflation and prop up the sinking ruble.
6. Jobs
It’s looking better than it has in a while.
7. US consumer sentiment
Folks are feeling better…
8. US retail sales
…so they’re buying stuff at a faster rate.
9. China’s slowdown continues
Slowing industrial production is another sign that one of the world’s hottest economies is cooling off.
