Maket Information Friday, October 9. 2015

Yesterday, the American Labor Department published the lowest number of new applications for jobless benefits in 42 years. The number of applications dropped by 13,000 to 263,000 (seasonally adjusted) for the week ending on October the 3rd. The figure is particularly low considering that the US workforce was much smaller in the 1970s. However, the number of people receiving benefits for more than a week rose by 9,000 to 2.20 million.

The Dutch Association of Real Estate Brokers (NVM) published figures showing a strengthening housing market. The number of transactions increased by 27% in the third quarter of 2015, and the average sales price increased 4% compared to a year ago. According to Ger Hukker, NVM chairman, it was “the best third quarter since 2007”. The recovery is mainly caused by the historically low interest rates on mortgages.

Christine Lagarde, director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), emphasized that policy makers should co-operate internationally to withstand the current economic situation. Earlier this week, the IMF lowered expectations of worldwide economic growth for 2015 and 2016. Global economic production in 2015 is expected to decrease by USD 3,800 billion to USD 73,500 billion, the biggest reduction since the early 1960s.

The 6M Euribor remained unchanged at 0.03%. The 10Y Swap increased by 4 basis points to 0.99%.

In the attachment below, today’s market data on money and capital market rates as well as other rates are presented. For more history of these rates or other rates feel free to ask: update@zanders.eu.