U.S. Government Deficits Continue

The U.S. federal government budget deficit was roughly $198.16 billion in March 2012. The Treasury’s report showed it to be the second highest deficit so far this fiscal year behind the $231.7 billion from February which was a record. Spending was about $30 billion higher than the March report a year ago and appears to be a record for any March in the past.

Collections (government tax revenues) came in at $171.2 billion while spending reached $369.4 billion. The good news is that tax receipts were about $20 billion higher than the March from a year ago.

Spending was on benefits and stimulus accounting, and was also apparently increased because April 1 fell on a Saturday. As far as what the deficit is for the year starting in October, this year’s deficit currently stands at about $778.99 billion, the Treasury said in its monthly budget statement. That compares to $829 billion in the first half of 2011. The lower year-to-date figure is mostly due to increased receipts, though spending also declined.

For the full 2012 fiscal year, the Treasury Department estimates that the deficit will be $1.3 trillion. That would make the fourth straight year of a deficit above $1 trillion. In fiscal 2011, the US government recorded a deficit of $1.3 trillion. The 2010 gap was $1.29 trillion and the 2009 shortfall was a record $1.42 trillion.

The government's debt ceiling is $16.394 trillion. As of Monday, Treasury held $15.578 trillion in debt subject to the limit, according to a separate report.

Sony doubles forecast of annual loss $6.4 billions last fiscal year

Sony Corp forecast a record $6.4 billion net loss for the business year ending March 31 2012, double earlier forecasts and a fourth straight year of losses. The company blamed tax expenses related to its business in the US. It will be the company's fourth year of losses.

In a bid to ease investor concerns over its deteriorating bottom line, the Japanese consumer electronics giant said it aimed for a strong profit of 180 billion yen this year.

China March CPI Up 3.6%

China’s inflation accelerated more than forecast in March on a pickup in food prices. The consumer price index rose 3.6% in March 2012 from a year earlier, quicker than February's 3.2% rise, data from the National Bureau of Statistics showed Monday. The rise in the key inflation gauge exceeded the median 3.3% gain forecast by 15 economists in a Dow Jones Newswires survey. Today’s data shows that policy makers may exercise caution in adding stimulus to boost growth.

When compared with a month earlier, the March CPI increased 0.2%, following a 0.1% month-on-month fall in February.

China's CPI figures in January and February were distorted by the Lunar New Year holiday in late January, when food prices rose sharply. The CPI rose 4.5% in January, before edging down to 3.2% in February due to easing food prices.

2012年3月 中国CPI同比增长3.6%

中国国家统计局今日公布数据显示，2012年3月份，中国居民消费价格总水平同比上涨3.6%。其中，城市上涨3.6%，农村上涨3.6%；食品价格上涨7.5%，非食品价格上涨1.8%；消费品价格上涨4.4%，服务项目价格上涨1.5%。一季度，中国居民消费价格总水平比去年同期上涨3.8%。

3月份，中国居民消费价格总水平环比上涨0.2%。其中，城市上涨0.2%，农村上涨0.1%；食品价格上涨0.2%，非食品价格上涨0.2%；消费品价格上涨0.3%，服务项目价格持平。

Baltic index fell for the first time since late Feb

The Baltic Dry Index, a measure of commodity shipping costs, fell for the first time after holding firm for 28 straight sessions, as falling rates for smaller vessels countered strength in capesizes.

The index, which reflects the daily freight market rates of capesize, panamax, supramax and handysize dry bulk transport vessels, has fallen more than 46 percent this year.

Singapore Catalist Stock Exchange Stock List

Catalist is the transformed SESDAQ (Stock Exchange of Singapore Dealing and Automated Quotation system), SGX's then second board. It is part of SGX's long-term strategy to attract both small, fast-growing firms to list in Singapore. As of today, there are a total of 134 stocks data found in the Singapore Catalist Stock Exchange.

Some of these companies information can be found in Singapore Catalist Stock Exchange Listing hosted in Singapore DIRepublic. Quite useful Singapore investment directory. Hope that Main Board information will also be available there.

Buffett reaffirmed his belief in the quality of the US credit

Markets around the globe have suffered huge falls this week. Credit ratings agency Standard and Poor's said early on Saturday it had downgraded the US from its top AAA rating to AA+. This means American government debt is no longer one of the world's safest investments!

While the move has been anticipated by markets since last week's deal in Washington agreed a cut of only $2.5trillion in the deficit, it's unclear how markets will react when they open on Monday. The loss of the top-notch rating may cause panic on the markets with traders fearing the world's biggest economy may be heading back to recession.

In an interview, Warren Buffett told the FOX Business Network that the US is still in triple A rating.