Asian shares declined after regional benchmark index fell for a third day in a row as the improving U.S. economic data raised worries that the Fed will wind down the stimulus. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index dropped 0.8% to 133.76 at 1:22 p.m. Tokyo time. Japan's Topix index slipped 2.3%, while the Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index gained 0.5%.
The Japanese Yen extended a three-day advance versus the U.S. Dollar as regional shares fell on worries that the Fed may reduce the stimulus. The Japanese currency appreciated 0.1% to 100.33 per Dollar at 7:52 a.m. London time after gaining 1.9% in the last three sessions, while the Yen traded at 130.64 per Euro.
The 17-nation currency prolonged the last month's drop as the Eurozone's manufacturing data is expected to decline for a 22nd straight month. The Aussie rose from the lowest level in more than 18 months as an official China's manufacturing index showed an uptrend. The Euro bloc currency slipped to $1.3012 at 1:33 p.m. Tokyo time, last month it fell by
UK bonds climbed for the second day as shares declined and the Bank of England data indicated home loan slowdown in the previous month that increased the demand for the safest gilt assets. The UK's currency strengthened 0.3% to 85.44 versus the Euro and declined 0.3% to $1.5192. Ten-year bond yields fell 0.04 percentage point to 1.93% after the FTSE-100
The US currency dropped to the weakest level in three weeks versus the Japanese Yen on Friday following a combination of improved Japan's report and lower US data and amid month-end flows. The greenback declined 0.3% to 100.30 against the Japanese Yen, the weakest level since May 9. According to the traders it continued to slip, as stop-loss sell orders
The South Korean currency fell for a fourth week in a row amid speculations that the Fed will slow down the stimulus that have urged the money flows, while the South Korea's importers bought the U.S. Dollars to pay the monthly bills. The Won depreciated 0.2% today and also weekly to 1,129.64 per Dollar in Seoul and it has plunged
U.K. shares retreated as the FTSE 100 declined for the second straight week, making it the first time since last year's November. The FTSE 100 fell 50.34 points, or 0.8%, to 6,606.64 as of 8:51 London time. However, the index is set for a 2.8% gain in May, climbing for the 12th month in a row. The FTSE All-Share Index
Germany's Government bunds increased for the second day after the data indicated retail sales in the country dropped more than expected in April, rising demand for the safest bond assets. German 10-year Government bonds slipped 0.05 percentage point to 1.46%. Retail sales in the Nation fell 0.4% from March, when the sales decreased 0.1%.
The shared currency dropped from the three-week high against the greenback after Germany's retail sales slid and the Eurozone's unemployment level climbed. The Euro depreciated 0.6% to $1.2976 as of 6:19 a.m. New York time after it gained to $1.3061 on Thursday, while the 17-nation currency fell 0.7% to 130.54 Yen. German's retail sales slipped 0.4% in March.
US shares advanced, after the Dow Jones Industrial Average's reached a four-week low, as lower than predicted GDP rate and jobless claims increased speculation the Fed will keep stimulus. The S&P 500 Index climbed 0.4% to 1,654.41 and the Dow gained 0.1% to 15,321.53. The US gross domestic product grew at a 2.4% annual percentage rate in the first quarter,
European shares declined to the lowest level in three weeks as the American consumer confidence and business activity reports were expected by investors, while U.S. index futures and Asian stocks slid. The Stoxx 600 slipped 0.9% to 300.83 as of 9:37 a.m. London time, the lowest level in almost a month as the index is set for a weekly retreat of
The Australian currency headed towards its biggest monthly slide in over two years amid speculation a stagnation in China will have a negative impact on the economy, inducing the Reserve Bank to cut key interest rates this year. The Australian Dollar has declined 5.2% in the past month, among the 10 developed-market currencies. The Aussie fell 0.2% to 96.47 versus
Gold is set for the best week since April, on bets that the Fed will not slow down the stimulus to spur the economic growth. The yellow metal for immediate delivery reached $1,414.95 an ounce as of 8:25 a.m. Singapore time. The prices touched $1,418.25 on Thursday, making it the highest level in two weeks, and have added 2% weekly.
The unemployment rate in the 17-nation currency area has reached a record high and inflation stays well under the European Central Bank's goal, indicating the challenge that EU officials is facing to recover the economy. The joblessness rate in the Eurozone increased to 12.2% in April, indicating a record high since 1995.
The Japanese currency appreciated versus the U.S. Dollar as European shares declined after Germany's retail sales dropped for a third straight month in April missing the expectations. The Japanese Yen is set for weekly gains versus almost all of its 16 most-traded peers as a slip in Japanese shares boosted the pressure on Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. The Japan's Yen
The Eurozone's currency climbed to the strongest level in two weeks versus the US Dollar on Thursday, as the greenback continued to decline and following better than predicted economic report from the Eurozone. The 17-nation currency gained 0.7% to $1.3006, the highest since May 14, as stop-loss buy orders above $1.30 were triggered.
European shares recovered from the biggest decrease in a week and US equity-index futures climbed ahead of a report on the improvement of the US economy. Japan's stocks fell while the US Dollar depreciated and gold climbed. The Stoxx Europe 600 Index added 0.6% and the Standard & Poor's 500 Index rebounded from earlier losses gaining 0.4%
The Aussie advanced from the 19-month low as the building approvals topped the economists' estimates, reducing the speculations that the Reserve Bank may cut the interest rates. The Australian currency climbed 0.5% to 96.82 U.S. cents at 4:27 p.m. Sydney time as it is headed for a 6.6% fall this month, while the Aussie strengthened 0.3% to NZ$1.1928 from Wednesday.
Asian shares declined as Japan's Topix Index and Nikkei 225 Index fell led by the commodities drop and the Japanese Yen appreciation. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index dropped 1.7% to 135.57 at 5:48 p.m. Tokyo time. The Topix slid 3.8%, while the Nikkei 225 slipped 5.2%; however, both indexes have gained more than 30% this year to date.
Europe's shares jumped, bouncing back from the lowest level in three weeks, ahead of the reports that may positively impact the U.S. economy. The Stoxx Europe 600 Index gained 0.2% to 303.14 as of 9:46 a.m. London time, while the Standard & Poor's 500 Index fell 0.2%. The Stoxx Europe 600 Index is set for a 2.2% climb in May,
According to the latest statistics, Spanish economy declined 0.5% in the first quarter of 2013 from the last quarter of 2012. On a yearly basis, GDP contracted by 2%. The Central bank of Spain expects GDP to decrease 1.3% this year. Additionally, unemployment rate in the country reached 27%. Moreover, country's budget deficit is planned to be 6.3% this year,
Gold gained to a highest level in one week as the greenback and the shares declined. Spot gold climbed 1.3% to $1,411.27 an ounce, the highest level since May 22, and it is set for the first back-to-back daily gain in almost a month. However, the prices have declined 4.8% this month on bets that the Fed may scale back
The Loonie appreciated versus its U.S. counterpart as the Bank of Canada Governor Mark Carney did not change the interest rates and held his position on raising the interest rates if the economic growth continues. The currency advanced from the lowest level in almost 12 months as it is predicted that GDP grew 2.3% at an annual rate in the
The British Pound appreciated for a second straight day versus the greenback as an report showed U.K. home-prices rose the most in one and a half year in May. House prices increased 1.1% compared to the last year; average house value reached 167,912 Pounds ($254,700) as it jumped 0.4% from April . The British currency gained 0.2% to $1.5156 as