Equity markets slid deeper into the red on Wednesday after a factory gauge in China shrank more than expected, adding to worries over slowdown in the world's second biggest economy. The PMI measure fell from 47.3 in August to a preliminary 47.0 in September. The Shanghai Composite slumped 2.16%, while Hong Kong's benchmark Hang Seng dropped 2.33%. Elsewhere, the Australian
Due to an abrupt decline in consumer spending along with investment, the Eurozone's second biggest economy did not make any progress in terms of GDP growth in Q2. More precisely, the French economic output booked a growth of 0% in Q2 on a quarterly basis, just after it posted a 0.7% growth in Q1 of 2015. Consumer spending remained static
Crude futures recovered from early losses after weak Chinese manufacturing data on Wednesday, following the decrease in the US oil reserves. Futures for WTI rose 0.93% to trade at $46.79 per barrel, while Brent futures were traded 0.55% higher at $49.36 per barrel by 07:28 AM GMT. Meanwhile, crude stockpiles in the US fell by 3.7 million barrels in the
After an increase of 3-4% in the prior session, oil prices dropped again. Futures for WTI fell $0.64 to trade at $46.04 a barrel, whereas Brent futures were down $0.48 trading at $48.44 a barrel. According to analysts, such a fall in prices was driven by a weak outlook of the economy and a continuing oversupply of oil. Goldman Sachs
Switzerland's trade surplus declined considerably in August, as the strength of the Swiss Franc weighed on exports, official data revealed on Tuesday. The trade surplus fell to ₣2.87 billion in the reported month from ₣3.58 billion in July. Analysts expected a balance of ₣2.77 billion. Meanwhile, experts claim that the Swiss economy will remain subdued until the end of the
The goods' prices in the EU's largest economy declined far more than expectated in August, which was heavily influenced by energy prices. Producer prices dropped 0.5% month-on-month in August and were 1.7% below the numbers of the same period last year. With the exception of energy prices, the German producer prices decreased 0.2% on a monthly basis and fell 0.5%
According to projections made by Goldman Sachs, the Euro may experience a decline of as many as 10 US cents due to extension of the European Central Bank's easing measures. The bank forecasts that the ECB will keep the monthly volume of the QE at the current rate, namely at €60 billion, but until the end of the next year,
The FOMC's choice to keep its monetary policy unchanged in the previous week did not awake any appetite for risk. The Japanese Yen firmed over the mid-Asian session to trade 0.16% up at 119.76 per US Dollar. The currency is primarily profiting from the risk averse sentiment taking place throughout the markets. This, in turn, exerted its influence on stock
Equity markets in Asia mostly declined on Monday, as the Fed decision to keep interest rates near zero raised concerns about global growth. The Japanese Nikkei index dropped 1.96%, Hong Kong's Hang Seng index closed 1.11% lower, while the Australian S&P ASX plunged 2.02% and South Korea's Kospi tumbled 1.57%. The Shanghai Composite index reversed a 1% loss to end
Crude futures rose on Monday, following the US drillers' projections to cut more rigs because of low prices. However, a global oversupply and worries about slowing energy demand still weigh on oil prices. Futures for WTI were traded 1.57% higher at $45.41 per barrel, while Brent contracts added 1.31% to $48.10 per barrel by 07:03 AM GMT. Meanwhile, the number
The Australian Dollar rose above the $0.72 handle again, meaning the currency climbed up 1.16% to reach $0.7248. The Reserve Bank of Australia Governor Glenn Stevens believes that the lower Aussie will exert more influence on the Australian economy despite the fact that growth lags behind the bank's expectations. During the last two years, the Aussie tumbled 25% against the
The New Zealand Dollar surged against the US Dollar on Friday, as market participants digest Thursday's FOMC statement. The NZD/USD pair rose 0.97% to $0.6403 by 07:38 AM GMT. In the prior session the pair closed 0.2% lower, despite jumping more than 1% after the release of the FOMC decision. Meanwhile, the Fed indicated that it will leave the door
Oil futures fell on Friday, with the latest OPEC comments weighing on prices, however both crude benchmarks are likely to book weekly profit. Futures for WTI were traded 1.22% lower at $46.31 per barrel, while Brent futures declined 0.65% to 448.76 per barrel by 07:21 AM GMT. Meanwhile, officials in Kuwait, a key producer of the OPEC, said that they
The Australian Dollar fell versus its US counterpart on Tuesday, as the RBA minutes raised the prospects of further rate cuts and pointed to a long-term weakness in the Aussie. The AUD/USD pair lost 0.17% and was traded at $0.7125 by 07:34 AM GMT, after it reached the session low at $0.7103. Earlier today, the RBA minutes overshadowed the short-lived
Crude prices dropped on Monday, as weakening demand weighed on markets, although the US futures were supported by reduced American drilling. Futures for WTI were traded 0.54% lower at $44.41 per barrel, while contracts for Brent fell 1.16% to $48.46 per barrel by 08:10 AM GMT. Meanwhile, analysts say that the major downside risks for oil come from uncertainty over
Asian stocks showed a mixed performance on Monday, as investors digested a bunch of Chinese industrial data released over the weekend and tread cautiously ahead of the Fed's meeting this week. The Shanghai Composite index dropped 2.67%, while the Hang Seng in Hong Kong added 0.38%. Meanwhile, the Australian S&P ASX index advanced 0.5%, the Japanese Nikkei index fell 1.63%,
The shared currency expanded its gains against the US Dollar, staying well above the $1.13 handle, as the low probability of a rate hike by the Fed in September is likely to put more pressure on the Greenback. The EUR/USD pair advanced 0.27% to $1.1362 by 07:14 AM GMT. Even though the major focus is turned to the upcoming Fed's
The yellow metal was traded in the red on Friday, as it erased all overnight gains and fell below the mark of $1,110 per troy ounce. Gold dropped 0.32% to $1,106 per ounce, after reaching the session high of $1,111 in the early Asian trading. Bullion is on pace for a third consecutive weekly decline, as investors stay cautious ahead
Equity markets across Asia ended Friday's session mixed amid lack of economic releases, and with the focus turning to the approaching Fed's crucial meeting on interest rates next week. The Shanghai Composite index edged 0.07% higher, while the Hang Seng index rose 0.40%. Meanwhile, the Japanese Nikkei declined 0.19%, the Australian S&P ASX lost 0.47%, while South Korea's Kospi dropped
The shared currency rose against the US Dollar on Friday, with traders looking to the US session for incentives, as the release of the German CPI data did not have any considerable impact on the spot. The EUR/USD pair advanced 0.23% to $1.1304 by 07:45 AM GMT. Later in the day, investors will focus on the release of the US
Crude futures fell on Friday, following the weekly stockpiles report from the US, as well as the latest comments from Saudi Arabia. The OPEC's top oil exporter sees no need for an emergency producer meeting to defend oil prices. Futures for WTI were traded 1.81% lower at $45.10 per barrel, while Brent futures dropped 1.43% to $48.19 per barrel by
The Sterling was trading modestly flat versus the Greenback on Thursday ahead of the BoE meeting. The Cable was changing hands around $1.5370 in the early European session, adding 0.08% to $1.5278 by 08:28 AM GMT. The major focus in Europe is turned to the BoE's interest rate decision paired with the minutes due today, while investors will also eye
Stocks across Asia closed mainly with losses on Thursday, as disappointing economic data from China and Japan heightened concerns over the global growth. An optimism that new measures will revive China's growth seemed to be only short lived, as the Shanghai Composite Index dropped 1.45% after rising by 2.3% in the prior session. Elsewhere, the Japanese Nikkei contracted by 2.51%,
Gold halted its fall seen in the previous sessions, standing above the psychological mark of$1,100 per troy ounce, as the bullish mood on stock markets around the world calmed down. The yellow metal added 0.40% to $1,106.40 per ounce by 07:37 AM GMT on Thursday. The recent decline in gold prices was caused by a rally on equity markets and