Daily FNArena News

The TD Securities-Melbourne Institute Monthly Inflation Gauge unexpectedly jumped up in January.

Weekly musings from your editor. Who’s likely to surprise and who will disappoint during the February results season?

Credit data for December were weaker than the market had anticipated and is putting economic growth under pressure.

George Soros gets it right? Michael Lewis contradicts himself? After 38 years, Davos speakers can finally say ‘I told you so’? It’s all fun and games on the slopes in Switzerland.

According to Standard Chartered the Reserve Banks of both Australia and New Zealand are likely to cut rates to 2.0% but balance sheet issues remain for both countries.

The first week of February will bring us central bank meetings, manufacturing data across the globe and more companies reporting.

Deutsche Bank regards GWA International as the pick of the consumer products sector.

With a long history of disappointing the market the third successive good quarterly report from Lihir Gold is enough for Macquarie to move the stock to its preferred exposure in the sector.

Russell Investments believes markets have probably seen their lows thus 2009 should be a better year for investors.

Centennial Coal’s focus on higher margin exports and thermal coal makes it a defensive exposure in the sector, analysts say.