Data Talk
Unemployment Declines Despite Tepid Growth in Brazil
Brazil Data Talk: Brazil’s unemployment levels continue to be at historical lows despite relatively weak growth. While real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) rose by 1.38% year on year during the fourth quarter of 2012, the unemployment rate declined to a low of 4.6% in December 2012 owing to the traditionally busy seasonal period when the [...]
National Funds of Russia Gain Momentum in 2013
Russia Data Talk: By creating the Stabilization Fund in January 2004 to make better use of excess oil revenues, the Russian government made a significant step toward balancing the federal budget. Unpredictable oil and gas price fluctuations might either boost federal revenues during a boom or bring the economy to a halt in case of [...]
Orange Production Sours on Weaker Demand in Brazil
Brazil Data Talk: Brazil has emerged as the largest producer of oranges and orange juice in the world, followed by the United States, China, India and Mexico. This has been attributed to a host of factors including good weather and hydrographical conditions, excellent soil and massive investment in relevant agricultural technologies. Due to the eradication [...]
Indonesia’s Prosperity Sparks Tussle for Higher Wages
Indonesia Data Talk: Indonesia’s minimum wages have seen a large spike recently, jumping by 19.1% during 2013 to IDR1.30 million (USD116.04). The sharp rise in minimum wages was most evident in Jakarta and East Kalimantan which saw minimum wages rising by as much as 43.87% and 48.86% respectively to IDR2.2 million (USD162.95) and IDR1.75 million [...]
Increased Alcohol Excise Duties Hardly Affect Spirits Consumption in Russia
Russia Data Talk: For years now, the Russian government has faced the dilemma of fighting alcohol abuse or to bolster budget revenue through excise tax collection, in particular, a duty on alcohol. The production of strong alcohol (vodka and other similar liquor) and wine declined throughout the 1990s: vodka and liquor production decreased by almost [...]
India: Lower GDP Growth Estimated for the 2012-2013 Fiscal Year
India Data Talk: The Central Statistical Organisation (CSO) has released the advance estimate of India’s gross domestic product (GDP) statistics for the fiscal year ended March 2013. The economy expanded by 4.96% at factor prices or 3.32% at market prices from a growth of 6.21% and 6.33% at factor and market prices respectively, during the [...]
Foreign Investors Substitute Bonds for Equities in Brazil
Brazil Data Talk: Foreign investors’ portfolios in Brazil are seeing an increasing tendency toward more conservative investment strategies. While the bulk of Brazil’s foreign portfolios are still held as shares (equities), a significant portion of these funds is being moved into fixed income securities (bonds), which are generally less volatile. In November 2012, fixed income [...]
Riding on Indonesia’s Equity Market
Indonesia Data Talk: The Indonesian equity market rose to a record high on 18 January 2013, with its composite index (10 August 1982=100) reaching 4,465.484 points in line with advances in emerging market equities. The gains were led by the basic industries, property and finance sectors. The growth in the composite index peaked at 20.11% [...]
India: Bihar’s Skewed Fortunes
India Data Talk: Bihar continues to bear the dubious distinction as one of India’s poorest states in terms of net state domestic product (NSDP) per capita. Despite the 15.4% growth in NSDP per capita experienced in the fiscal year ended March 2012, Bihar’s NSDP per capita stood at a mere INR 13,971 (USD 291.96). This [...]
Foreign Banks Disappoint in Brazil
Brazil Data Talk: During the early 1990s, the entry of foreign banks was widely expected to shake-up competition in the banking sector, hence leading to lower banking spreads (i.e. the difference between lending and borrowing rates), higher quality products and services and modernisation of banking technology. The market also expected the entry of these banks [...]
