Australian trade deficit expanded in May for a fifth straight month on higher level of imports of fuel and industrial equipment. Imports outperformed exports by AUD 285 million (USD 292 million) compared to a AUD 26 million shortfall reached in April, Bureau of Statistics reported on Thursday. The report adds pressure on RBA to prolong interest rate cuts.
On Tuesday the IMF claimed that the economic activity of Germany is notable taking into account the latest encumbrances related to the demand growth and banks' vulnerable situation. Economists also mentioned that country's current fiscal policy is appropriate. IMF also highlighted the importance of the Landesbanken restructuring and Germany's recession management improvement.
As the Euro declined the amount of holdings in gold increased to a record high 2412,4 tons on Tuesday. Bullion prices reached two-week high of USD 1625.07 an ounce whereas futures for August-delivery became USD 1616.70 an ounce, which is 0.3% lower than previous. At the same time silver lost 0.4% amounting to USD 28.1625 for ounce now. Platinum decreased by half percent
Hillary Clinton`s, US Secretary of State, apology about a baleful border conflict was followed by Pakistan renewing military supply. Pakistani decision was urged by several conversations as as Obama administration prepares to exit Afghanistan. While the reopening of supply-line was the first sign of progress amid agreement on more than $1bn US funding for Pakistan, both sides still have their
Asian currencies increased against the US Dollar on Wednesday. The Indian Rupee and the South Korean Won both rose 0.2% to conversion rate of KRW 1135.70 and INR 54.26 per USD. The Taiwan Dollar and the Thailand Baht both climbed 0.1%, reaching level of TWD 29.866 and THB 31.46 per USD. Moreover the Yuan appreciated by 0.07% to CNY 6.3477 per USD.
The Euro fell against 13 of its counterparts on Wednesday. The single currency lost 0.3% against the Yen and the US Dollar and current rate is JPY 100.35 per EUR and USD 1.2572 per EUR. Moreover, the Euro depreciated against the Swedish Krona to SEK 8.7093 per EUR. Experts attributed the drop to services sector contraction in Germany and lower risk-appetite
Francois Hollande, a new French president, has announced that tax rates for businesses and households with the highest income will be increased. French government expects to collect additional 7.2 billion EUR. Such policy is aimed to reduce budget deficit to 4.5% instead of previous 5.2% in 2011. GDP growth forecasts were also changed and now it is considered to increase by 0.3% this year and
Service economy contracted in UK in June reaching eight-month low at 51.3. Consequently, the economy of Great Britain has declined by 0.1% during the last quarter. Firms are weighed down by lower prices while input costs are rising much faster. To stimulate the economy the Bank of England plans to inject 50 billion Pounds adding to existing 325 billions by the end
Rural commodities surged on Tuesday as crop-damaging drought is expected to persist next week in the US. At the same time rainfalls in Brazil continued to dampen harvest prospects in the top coffee and sugar grower.Wheat approached 10-month high on US supply worries. However, the upward trend was capped after Ukraine announced it does not plan to restrict wheat exports
Energy markets were bullish on Tuesday amid lingering supply concerns as tensions over nuclear programme of Iran increased.Crude oil surged on weaker greenback and expected fall in supplies as oil workers' unrest in Norway continued to hurt oil exports from the world's eighth-largest oil producer.Brent oil jumped on speculation that Iranian officials proposed a bill calling the government to halt
Industry metals skyrocketed on Tuesday after US factory orders posted stronger than expected gain of 0.7% in June. Aluminum caught momentum on increased US vehicle sales and rising fuel efficiency awareness. However, the upswing was subdued by weak PMI releases in the beginning of the week.Copper rallied on potential demand increase and supply worries. Newmont mining dispute in Peru is
Precious metals rallied on Tuesday amid broadly weaker US Dollar after the IMF lowered the US growth forecast for this year from 2.1% to 2%. Gold rose on speculation about monetary easing by central banks all over the world. The strongest support was provided by hopes for QE3 after US manufacturing activity unexpectedly contracted in June.Silver surged amid mixed world
Rubber reached five-week record high on Wednesday on intensified speculations about increase in demand for the commodity. Rubber for December delivery gained 2.2% on the Tokyo Commodity Exchange. General Motors Co., Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler Group LLC documented sales that helped the industry to achieve the best year from 2007. Rubber futures for September advanced 0.2%.
UK soccer club Manchester United Ltd. has announced its plans for an initial public offering, seeking for $100m in new investments. Documents presented together with the Securities and Exchange Commission said that that the club was to enter the New York Stock Exchange after refusing a $1bn flotation on the Singapore stock market last year. Man United documented a profit
Gold is likely to gain after intensified investments demand and speculation about banks' intention to boost economic growth. Cash gold was slightly changed, rising by 1.3% to trade at USD1,618 per ounce. Meanwhile cash silver dropped 0.6% to USD28.10 per ounce. Spot platinum was almost unchanged, trading at $1,487.87 an ounce while palladium advanced 0.9% to USD605.60 in the
The US stocks increased as the sales of automobiles went up. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.6%, whereas S&P 500 and Nasdaq both rose by 0.6% and 0.8%. However, a fall in the IMS manufacturing activity index to 49.7 on Monday, July 2, increased risk-aversion among investors thus limiting gains of the US stocks.
Brent crude oil declined after reaching one -month high on global demand concerns amid manufacturing slowdown worldwide Brent oil futures for August delivery lost 1.4% to trade at USD99.26 on the ICE Futures Europe Exchange. Meanwhile Iran is likely to resolve its nuclear program issue with world's policy makers in Istanbul later in the day. Norway on Tuesday decided not
The interest rates in Sweden remained unchanged at 1.5% after being reduced twice since January 2012 Moreover, Riksbank added that the introduction of contracting fiscal policies will be put off. After the data release, the Swedish Krona appreciated against its counterparts; the Swedish currency attained 8.7141 against the Euro and to 6.9274 against the US Dollar.
The USD lost value against its peers starting from July 2, when the IMS manufacturing activity index decreased below 50. On Tuesday, the EUR and GBP both added 0.23% and 0.01% against the American currency. Weak manufacturing data spurred speculation about QE3 thus adding pressure on the US currency.
ANA wants to raise USD2.6 billion to expand, by buying new aircraft and supporting its current financial position. As there was large number of bankruptcies among airline businesses and ANA has to deal with the growth of its biggest competitor, Japan Airlines, the company has decided to sell a part of its shares, to maintain its position and be able
Although in June employers significantly raised recruitment, it is still not enough to state that the economy picks up steam. Experts claim that the expected number of individuals that were hired in June is 90,000. In fact, the number is not crucial on an annual basis, but in comparison with May, when companies created only 69,000 new jobs, the figure
Unemployment in Spain sharply declined in June to around 4.62 million people which is almost 100,000 or 2.1% less than in May. As June is the first month of the tourism season, employment usually climbs. However, the Spain's jobless rate above 24% still is the highest in Eurozone. Analysts have estimated that one out of four Spanish employers is without
Nigeria, the most important oil producer in Africa, has agreed to an initial deal valued at USD4.5 billion with the US company, Vulcan Petroleum, to establish six new oil refineries. The arrangement will increase the existing capacity by 180,000 barrels a day. Moreover, two factories will have working capacity by the end of 2012.
According to the IMF the recovery process of the U.S. still is moderate. Moreover, the IMF lowered the expected growth for the economy from 2.1% to 2.0% for this year and from 2.4% to 2.25% for year 2013. IMF cited the ongoing Eurozone debt-crisis, future ambiguity of domestic policies and the ceiling of the debt which will have to be increased next year as main