Market Information Friday 21 February 2020

New figures from Statistics Netherlands show that unemployment in the Netherlands fell to 3.0% in January, compared to 3.2% in December. 3.0% is the lowest unemployment rate since Statistics Netherlands started reporting the current set of unemployment rates in 2003. A total of 64,000 new jobs were created in December and January, bringing the number of unemployed below 300,000 for the first time since the start of the current series in 2003.

The Japanese yen was set for its worst week in two-and-a-half years, but barely budged on Friday. However, in the previous two days the yen has lost 2% against the U.S. dollar. This loss is the result of continued worries in Asia about the coronavirus and weak Japanese economic data. Investors are therefore looking for safety in the U.S. dollar, gold and bonds.

Existing Dutch owner-occupied homes were 6.3% more expensive in January 2020 compared to one year before. The annual price increase is slightly lower than in December 2019, when the figure was 6.5%. The price index for owner-occupied homes reached the highest level ever in January 2020. Compared to the lowest point in June 2013, prices increased with more than 44%.

The 6M Euribor increased with 1 basis point to -0.35% compared to previous business day. The 10Y Swap decreased with 2 basis points to -0.10% compared to previous business day.

In the attachment, today’s market data on money and capital market rates as well as other rates are presented.