The monthly change in the number of employed US workers, excluding farm employees, government staff and private household workers. Released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, it is one of the most closely watched economic indicators, showing which sectors created or lost jobs and whether the US economy is expanding or contracting.
The number of people in a country or sector who do not have a job but are actively seeking one, measured as a percentage of the labour force (all people employed and unemployed).
Read full definitionEconomic data used by analysts, traders and investors to identify investment and trading opportunities, usually delivered at a macroeconomic level to define the overall health of an economy.
Read full definitionA negative balance of trade or payments, where a country’s imports and outgoing payments exceed its exports and incoming payments.
Read full definitionThe monetary authorities of Asian countries. They have become increasingly active in major currencies as they manage growing pools of foreign currency reserves arising from trade surpluses, and their market interest can influence currency direction in the short term.
Read full definitionA global financial institution owned by central banks, based in Basel, Switzerland, with representative offices in Hong Kong and Mexico City. Its original members were Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, France, Britain, Italy, the United States and Japan.
Read full definitionOne of China’s four largest state-owned commercial banks. It maintains close relations with the People’s Bank of China in management, administration and cooperation across several areas.
Read full definitionThe central bank of the United Kingdom, acting as the government’s bank and lender of last resort. Headquartered in the City of London, it issues currency and oversees monetary policy, making it the UK equivalent of the US Federal Reserve.
Read full definitionThe interest rate a central bank, such as the Bank of England or Federal Reserve, charges to lend money to commercial banks. Adjusting the base rate helps a central bank regulate the economy by encouraging or discouraging spending as required.
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