INFLATION

China’s economy rose at a better than expected rate in the fourth quarter of last year, indicating that economic growth is reviving.

India’s headline inflation declined to 7.18 percent in December from 7.24 percent in November.

Asian stock markets mostly ended lower last week as sentiment was weighed down by the report that China’s inflation rate accelerated to a seven-month high in December, denting hopes of further stimulus measures to boost the ongoing recovery in the world’s second largest economy.

Market participants this week will begin to close the books on 2012 and get their first glimpse of global economic activity in 2013.

China’s inflation rate accelerated in December faster than expected, an indication that the country’s inflationary pressures continue to increase, lowering prospects for further loosening of the country's monetary policy.

The ECB sees the euro zone strong enough to not need monetary help, but the bank's confidence in that outlook appears paper thin.

Thailand’s consumer confidence rose in December compared to that in the previous month, indicating an improvement in domestic spending which accounts for the majority of overall economic activity.

Despite small rise in sentiment in December, the latest euro zone data still presented a decidedly downbeat economic picture.

Japan's monetary base rose in December compared to that in the same month last year, indicating that the monetary easing policies are leading to an increase in the amount of currency in circulation which in turn results in reviving economic growth.

The report revealed a lackluster labor market, flat unemployment and a holiday shopping season that may have been a dud. What's the Fed to do?

India's service activity expanded in December at the fastest pace in the last three months, according to the HSBC PMI.

The rate of inflation rose to 2.9 percent in December compared to that in the same month last year.

The Egyptian pound slid to a new record low and the country’s sovereign debt insurance costs surged Wednesday as fears of continued political turmoil intensified.

Thailand's consumer price inflation rose at a higher rate than expected in December, indicating that the country’s inflationary pressures continue to increase, lowering prospects for further loosening of monetary policy.

South Korea’s trade surplus fell in December compared to that in the previous month, indicating that the soft global demand continues to weigh down on the economic growth of the country.

South Korea's consumer price inflation rose at a slower rate than expected in December.

Newly increased government subsidies will take effect in 2013 -- helping Beijing residents counter the increasingly expensive cost of living.

South Korea’s industrial output rose in November compared to that in the previous month.

Thailand's manufacturing, mining and power generation jumped last month compared to November 2011 when destructive flooding sharply curtailed industrial output.

The yen hit a 20-month low against the dollar Tuesday as Japan's incoming prime minister stepped up pressure on the Bank of Japan to ease monetary policy, while the dollar was buoyed by uncertainty about U.S. budget talks.

The Reserve Bank of India in an unexpected move decided to keep the key interest rates and cash reserve ratio unchanged in a monetary policy review, citing the fragile global economic situation but said the policy focus was shifting towards growth, indicating monetary easing in the next quarter review.