Business investment rate down to 22.1% in the Euro Area

In the third quarter of 2015, the business investment rate was 22.1% in the euro area, down by 1.3% from the previous quarter, according to Eurostat figures.

The business profit share in the euro area remained stable quarter on quarter, as there was only a slender 0.1% difference,  profit share was 39.7%, compared with 39.8% for the second quarter.

All of the data is seasonally adjusted, and complied by Eurostat and the European Central Bank.

The investment rates for business have gradually increased since the since the first quarter of 2013, but they have yet to recover to the levels prior to the 2008 financial crash of  24.5%.

Profit share has stayed around its current level since the beginning of 2012, but they remain some distance from the 43% figure recorded in 2007, before the economic crises.

Euro Area Household Saving Rates Stable

Across the euro area, the household savings rate was 12.8% for the third quarter of last year. This was a slight increase of 0.1% from the second quarter.

The household investment rate of 8.3% remained constant between the second and third quarters of 2015.

Since 2009 the savings rate has fallen from 14.5% seven years ago, unsurprisingly given the subsequent economic conditions.

The investment rate has declined at a faster rate since the economic crises, dropping from the 11% to 11.5% throughout 2007, and the early part of the following year.

Increase in Germany Manufacturing Employees

Official figures have revealed that there are now nearly 5.4 million employees in the manufacturing sector, which was a rise of 54,000 for November last year.

The number of hours worked in the sector for November also rose by 4%, reaching a total 724 million. Total earnings also increased to 27.2 billion, a year on year rise of 2.5% from November in 2014.

Producer Costs for Construction Decrease in France

In October last year, producer costs for construction decreased by 0.2%, the French Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies revealed.

Month on month, costs for the industry had risen, as they had fallen by 0.6% for September.

Costs in civil engineering declined the most for October, with a fall of 0.5%, compared to building construction, which tumbled by 0.2%.

A year on year comparison with October in 2014, saw costs be reduced by 2.1%.

Once again civil engineering costs were the main driver in the falling of costs, as  they plummeted by 6.3%.

Prices for building construction fell by 1.4%, and specialised construction services were reduced slightly less on 1.3%.

Euro Continues Better Performance Against US Dollar

The euro is currently buying $1.09 this morning GMT, rising from the nadir of $1.084 in the past 24 hours, which was the buying figure late yesterday afternoon GMT.

Its is thought that weak oil prices have had a negative effect of the dollar, as the US is a significant exporter of the commodity.

Brent Crude oil per barrel is currently priced at $29.76, the lowest price is has traded at over the past ten years.