China : growth will continue, but at a slower pace in the coming months

The Conference Board leading economic index for China shows that its production of goods and services will keep expanding in the coming months, but at a slightly slower pace.

http://www.conference-board.org/data/bcicountry.cfm?cid=11

The latest Flash PMI data from Markit indicate that the manufacturing sector keeps registering a slowdown of its growth.

http://www.markiteconomics.com/Survey/PressRelease.mvc/b6e487b86c1a4ec48044fb9e79b0e282

United States : moderate growth in the coming months

The Conference Board leading economic index recent evolution points towards a moderate growth for the american economy in the coming months. The most recent data are the February ones, and they were published March 20.

Details :   http://www.conference-board.org/data/bcicountry.cfm?cid=1

World Economy : Forecast Update

In early February, the Conference Board (CB) revised upward its projection for the world economy in 2014. It now predicts that real GDP will grow by 3.5% this year. Last November, its forecast was 3.1 %.

The new CB projection is slightly lower than those published by the IMF and the World Bank in January; both expect a growth of 3.7% this year.

Details at :     http://www.conference-board.org/data/globaloutlook.cfm

Euro zone : the outlook continues to improve

The index of leading indicators of the evolution of euro zone economy increased again in December according to the data and the analysis published January 28 by the Conference Board.

Details at : http://www.conference-board.org/data/bcicountry.cfm?cid=10

February 5 update : The PMI from Markit Economics show that the eurozone economy kept improving in January. 

Details at : http://www.markiteconomics.com/Survey/PressRelease.mvc/8234c73e83714049a57e79337b91f438

American Economy : Sustained Growth

The Chicago Fed National Activity Index, based on 85 monthly indicators, shows that the US economy grew at a pace slightly higher than the trend during the last quarter of 2013.

http://www.chicagofed.org/digital_assets/publications/cfnai/2014/cfnai_january2014.pdf

The monthly and semi-annual evolution of the Conference Board leading economic index points towards a sustained growth in the coming months.

http://www.conference-board.org/data/bcicountry.cfm?cid=1

Many forecasters (IMF, World Bank, Conference Board, etc.) anticipate that the US GDP will grow by around 3% this year, compared to close to 2% in 2013.

Big Mac Index : the canadian dollar overvalued in January 2014

According to the Big Mac Index published by The Economist, the canadian dollar is overvalued, compared to the US dollar, by 8.4 % in January 2014.

Details at : http://www.economist.com/content/big-mac-index

IMF- World Economic Outlook Update

Here is a good summary of the IMF World Economic Outlook Update published January 21 :