China CPI low, PPI negative; China confidence rising; Hong Kong housing at new record; South African bank bust

Source: http://www.interest.co.nz/news/71385/china-cpi-low-ppi-negative-china-confidence-rising-hong-kong-housing-new-record-south-afr

China CPI low, PPI negative; China confidence rising; Hong Kong housing at new record; South African bank bust; UST 10yrs 2.42%; NZ$1 = US$0.846, TWI = 79.3

Here's my summary of the key news the weekend in 90 seconds at 9 am, including news of a bank failure in South Africa.

But first, on Saturday, China’s July consumer price inflation came in at +2.3% and well remained below their government’s +3% goal, and factory-gate deflation extended its declining run to 29 consecutive months, coming in at -0.9%, suggesting policy makers still have room for monetary easing amid a lack of pressure on prices. Chinese consumers are not yet driving their economy.

Having said that, the latest consumer confidence survey in China does indicate a growing positive moodin the country.

And in neighbouring Hong Kong, home prices hit a new all-time record as volumes in their housing markets returned.

In banking news, a specialist South African bank is in strife and is now under the protection of the South African central bank. It needs to raise significant capital and other local banks have agreed to underwrite the capital raising. The bank’s troubles stem from its SAR 9 billion (NZ$1 bln) acquisition of a furniture retailer in 2008, which has prompted losses and write downs after sales dropped. The bank doesn’t take deposits and makes small loans not backed by assets to low-income earners. Many of its customers are struggling to keep up with repayments amid rising unemployment and inflation.

Equity markets rose in final trading in New York on Saturday; but UST 10yr yields fell back again and ended the week at 2.42%. The US oil price is under US$98/barrel, Brent is under US$105/barrel. Gold is down slightly also and is now at US$1,311/oz.

We start the week with the NZ dollar basically unchanged. We are now at just over 84.6 USc, just under 91.3 AUc. The TWI is at 79.3.