The Bank of Greece’s recent report on the global economy and markets showed growth in Euro area purchasing managers’ indices (PMIs).
 
Euro area growth in particular is a continuation of factors indicating upside risks to estimated GDP growth of 0.4 percent quarter on quarter for 2016’s fourth quarter and 2017’s first quarter.
 
In the U.S., the last quarter of 2016 showed GDP growth at 1.9 percent for the quarter on quarter seasonally adjusted annual rate, compared to the third quarter’s 3.5 percent. The 2016 GDP saw a 1.6 percent increase, compared to 2015’s 2.6 percent. U.S. economic growth expectations are tied to the new administration’s emerging economic policies. The Bank of Greece placed a particular emphasis on the U.S.'s potentially fraught trade relationship with China, though China has seemed conciliatory in relation to intellectual property rights and easing restriction on foreign investments in areas like finance.
 
The MSCI World increased by 1.0 percent week on week, while the S&P hit a record intra-week of 2298, with construction and engineering stocks increasing significantly. The FTSE 100 lost 0.2 percent week on week, and the Bank of Greece noted the UK Supreme Court’s decision that Parliament must vote on the EU treaty exit. Government bond yields also saw increases, with 10-year U.S. Treasury yields increasing to 2.49 percent and 10-year Bund yields increasing to 0.46 percent.