1.Japan on Friday published a string of mostly weak data, the first major figures since news that world’s number three economy had slipped back into recession:
A key inflation gauge shows prices fell in October from a year ago, while spending by households also dropped in a double blow for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s high-profile growth blitz, dubbed Abenomics.
2.South Korea’s LG Display said it will build a new plant to make panels using organic light-emitting diode (OLED) technology, with total investment expected to exceed 10 trillion won (£5.77 billion, $8.71 billion):
The company said it will spend an initial 1.84 trillion won to begin building the plant in Paju, South Korea, which will make both large-size OLED TV panels and flexible OLED panels for smartwatches and auto displays, with production expected to begin in the first half of 2018.
3.Barclays has been hit with a £72 million ($109 million) fine from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) for failing to make sure a huge deal back in 2011 wasn’t being used to fund criminal activity or terrorism:
Alongside the fine, the FCA has released a damning document setting out just what the case involved. Barclays comes off pretty badly.
4.Taiwan Cuts Growth Forecast to Lowest Since 2009 on Export Slump:
Taiwan’s government lowered its 2015 growth forecast to the least since 2009 as an export slump weighs on the island’s economy.The statistics bureau projects gross domestic product will rise 1.06 percent this year, down from 1.56 percent estimated in August, according to a statement released Friday in Taipei.
5.Water Troubles in Tiny Chilean Town Threaten Global Copper Supply:
CAIMANES, Chile—The future price of copper and the growth of companies that produce it could hinge on a single precious resource: water.Mining the important industrial metal requires huge volumes of water to control dust and separate copper from the earth.
6.Rupee Weakens to Two-Year Low as Global Funds Cut India Holdings:
India’s rupee dropped to the weakest level in more than two years as outflows from local bonds and equities deepened amid speculation the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates next month.
7.China October industrial profits fall for fifth straight month:
Profits earned by Chinese industrial companies fell 4.6 percent in October from a year earlier, data from the statistics bureau showed on Friday, declining for the fifth consecutive month.
8.Pound Falls for 2nd Day on Speculation U.K. Economy Is Slowing:
The pound fell for a second day before a report that analysts said will confirm U.K. economic growth slowed in the third quarter.Sterling was set to decline for a second week versus the dollar amid speculation any interest-rate increases from the Bank of England will be gradual. Gross domestic product expanded 0.5 percent in the three months through September, according to the median estimate of economists surveyed by Bloomberg.
9.U.K. Home-Price Growth Slows to Five-Month Low, Nationwide Says:
U.K. house-price growth slowed to a five-month low in November, according to Nationwide Building Society, which also noted a shortage of properties for sale.The average price of a home rose 0.1 percent to 196,305 pounds ($296,283), the slowest pace since June, following a revised 0.5 percent gain in October, the lender said in a statement on Friday. The annual rate of growth cooled to 3.7 percent from 3.9 percent.
10.Euro Has Worst-Ever Run of Weekly Losses Versus Yen Before ECB:
The euro is set for its longest stretch of weekly declines versus the yen since the common currency’s creation in 1999 as anticipation builds that the European Central Bank will surprise some investors with the size of its stimulus next week.
