Economy

• Friday, August 11th 2023 - 17:30 UTC

  Chinese recovery slowing down, with weaker trade and demands for fresh stimulus

  

  China’s economic activity slowed and trade markers fell much faster than expected in July as weaker demand threatens recovery prospects in the world’s second-largest economy, heightening pressure for authorities to release fresh stimulus to steady growth.

• Friday, August 11th 2023 - 11:48 UTC

  “EU approach on trade accord with Mercosur is simply unacceptable,” Paraguayan President elect Peña

  

  Paraguay President-elect Santiago Peña has said that Mercosur and the European Union should put on hold talks over a free trade agreement since the current environmental demands from the EU are “unacceptable.”

• Thursday, August 10th 2023 - 11:45 UTC

  Argentina: “Blue” dollar reaches AR$ 600

  

  The “blue” (a euphemism for “black market”) dollar in Argentina Wednesday pierced the AR$ 600 barrier for the first time just days ahead of Sunday's Simultaneous, Open, and Mandatory Primary (PASO) elections while the official quotation neared AR$ 300, it was reported in Buenos Aires.

• Thursday, August 10th 2023 - 11:25 UTC

  Uruguay Peso, most overvalued currency against US dollar says the Big Mac Index

  

  The Uruguayan Peso is turning out to be one of the most overvalued currencies (out of 52 surveys) against the US dollar. In other words according to the Big Mac Index, the US dollar is cheap in Uruguay and well below what is considered the long term “equilibrium point”.

• Wednesday, August 9th 2023 - 10:26 UTC

  Brazil questions Argentina charging tolls on Paraná Waterway

  

  Brazil's Foreign Ministry Tuesday said Argentina charging tolls since the beginning of the year to barges sailing along the Paraguay-Paraná Waterway had affected other countries in the region and questioned the legality of the one-sided measure, Agência Brasil reported.

• Wednesday, August 9th 2023 - 09:43 UTC

  German economy in recession: industrial output down 1,5% in June

  

  Germany's industrial output fell for a second consecutive month in June, figures published this week show, with a drop of 1.5% far wider than the previous month's slip of 0.1%.

• Wednesday, August 9th 2023 - 03:15 UTC

  UK food prices are slowing; 'cautious optimism' from British Retail Consortium

  

  New figures suggest food United Kingdom price inflation has slowed to its lowest level this year as prices of oils, fish, and breakfast cereals fall. According to the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and NielsenIQ retail analysts, food inflation slowed to 13.4% in July. It was 14.6% in June. But overall, shop prices are still 7.6% higher this July than a year ago.

• Tuesday, August 8th 2023 - 15:18 UTC

  Record export of Brazilian food commodities, but prices are falling

  

  Brazilian primary goods exports could surpass last year's export record of US$ 159 billion, be it not for the sharp drop in commodity prices on the foreign market.

• Tuesday, August 8th 2023 - 10:49 UTC

  Argentina: “Blue” dollar closes in on AR$ 600 threshold

  

  The “blue” (a euphemism for “black market”) dollar rose sharply on Monday and closed at AR$ 596, thus reaching a new all-time high ahead of next Sunday's Simultaneous, Mandatory, and Open Primary (PASO) elections, it was reported in Buenos Aires. The gap with the official quotation stood at 110.8%.

• Tuesday, August 8th 2023 - 10:25 UTC

  Brazil's Central Bank launches digital currency plan

  

  Brazil's Central Bank (BCB) Monday announced a new digital currency for South America''s largest country, which will be called “Drex” and is not expected to reach account holders before late 2024, Agencia Brasil reported.