Wednesday's session was marked by UK job figures. For November 2015 there were 796,200 people claiming unemployment related benefits.This was 3,900 more than for October 2015. Analysts were anticipating increase by 900. It was also 112,400 fewer than for a year earlier and 17,800 more than the pre-downturn trough of 778,400 for February 2008.
There were 939,000 unemployed men, 153,000 fewer than for a year earlier. There were 774,000 unemployed women, 91,000 fewer than for a year earlier. The unemployment rate was 5.2%, lower than for a year earlier (6.0%). It has not been lower since the 3 months to January 2006. No change was expected.The unemployment rate is the proportion of the labour force (those in work plus those unemployed) that were unemployed.
From the UK Retail Sales figures were released on Thursday. Compared with October 2015, the quantity bought in the retail industry is estimated to have increased by 1.7%. Analysts were predicting 0.6% increase. Average store prices (including petrol stations) fell by 3.3% in November 2015 compared with November 2014, the 17th consecutive month of year-on-year price falls.The amount spent in the retail industry increased by 1.4% in November 2015 compared with November 2014 and increased by 1.4% compared with October 2015. The value of online sales increased by 12.7% in November 2015 compared with November 2014 and by 4.9% compared with October 2015.
Next week markets will be looking at:
Public Sector Net Borrowing (Tuesday 10:30)
Current Account (Wednesday 14:30)
Final GDP (Wednesday 14:30)
