The Peruvian currency depreciated on Wednesday extending its losing streak to the biggest drop in one quarter since 2008 after the nation's central bank raised requirements of bank reserves in order to prevent the local currency from the U.S. Dollar inflows. The Peru's Sol dropped by 0.1% to 2.59 per U.S. Dollar on Wednesday and it lost 1.4% in the
Taiwan's leading economic activity index increased by 1.1% on a sequential basis in February rising to 137.6 points suggesting together with other business indicators that the local economy is stabilizing, the Council for Economic Planning and Development reported on Wednesday. The report also said that coincidence indicator of current economic activity gained 0.3% in February from the month before.
Mexican currency depreciated versus U.S. Dollar on Wednesday after concerns about political situation in Italy, where last month's elections still did not bring a new government, having an unfavourable influence on the global economy. The Mexican Peso dropped 0.4% to 12.4025 per U.S. Dollar erasing its previous gains, however the currency has added 3.1% this month versus the so-called greenback.
Retail sales in Lithuania rose at the slower rate in February than the month before mainly because of a 7.9% jump of clothing and footwear, a report released by the Department of Statistics showed on Wednesday. Turnover of retail sales advanced by 1.5% on an annual basis in February after it added 2.4% the prior month, however sales of food,
U.S. pending home sales recorded a modest fall in the month of February, a report unveiled by the National Association of Realtors showed on Wednesday, however pending sales stayed close to the highest figures in a three-year period on the month. NAR's report said that pending home sales index slowed down by 0.4% to 104.8 in February following a 3.8%
Hong Kong shares were bearish on Thursday, tracking weakness in the US and Japan's equities. Banks also put a lid on China's stocks after the China Banking Regulatory Commission ordered to tighten control over wealth management products. However, the downward trend was restricted by positive industrial numbers. The National Bureau of Statistics reported profits of the largest industrial firms soared
Japanese equities plummeted on Thursday on negative data from the national economy. Japan's retail sales dropped by annualized 2.3% last month, defying expectations of a 0.9% increase. Japanese stock average also came under pressure amid weakness in financial stocks as investors were cautious ahead of planned reopening of banks in Cyprus. The Nikkei 225 Index tumbled 1.26% to finish the
US blue chips retreated on Wednesday as investors avoided stocks and other risky assets amid escalated worries over political turmoil in Italy. Disappointing numbers from the US real estate market pushed stocks deeper in red. US pending home sales dipped 0.4% in February versus a forecast of a 0.2% drop. Meanwhile, market players were cautious ahead of the final US
US stocks finished mostly lower on Wednesday amid political uncertainty in Italy. Weak data from Europe as well as a decline in the US pending home sales last month also put pressure on equities. The S&P 500 Index lost 0.06% to end the session at 1,555.95. Only four in ten sectors within the index were bullish. The top performers were
The Reserve Bank of Australia revealed on Thursday that Australian private sector credit gained 0.2% in February, which was the same as in the previous month but lower than analyst expectations of 0.3%. Year-over-year, private sector credit inched up by 3.4%, disappointing expectations of a 3.5% increase.
The Melbourne Institute reported on Thursday that Australian inflation gained in March. Month-over-month, Australian prices inched up by 0.2%, which was the same increase as in the preceding month. Year-over-year, inflation hit a level of 2.1%, which was the lowest for eight months.
Farm commodities apart from coffee jumped on Wednesday in a cautious trading ahead of the USDA report due to on Thursday. Unfavorable weather in the US as well as logistical problems in Brazil sent farm commodities higher. Wheat climbed as freezing temperatures in the US key growing regions are slowing early planting. However, gains were limited by speculation that market players
Energy futures were bullish on Wednesday despite larger-than-expected increase in the US crude oil inventories last week. Moreover, weak consumer confidence in the Eurozone coupled with Italian political woes added pressure on the commodity sector. Crude and Brent oil gained despite bearish EIA weekly supply report. Crude oil inventories in the US rose 3.3 million barrels last week compared to
Base metals apart from copper were bullish on Wednesday on weaker US Dollar and soft demand for growth sensitive assets amid political instability in Italy. At the same time, mixed data from the US as well as high inventories at the LME and SHFE created pressure on industrial metals. Aluminum traded higher as cancelled warrants at the LME increased, signaling an
Precious metals except for silver advanced on Wednesday as ongoing political instability in Italy boosted safe-haven appeal of the commodity sector. Weaker US Dollar also supported the commodity group. Meanwhile, investors awaited the key data releases from the US due on Thursday. Gold gained on political uncertainty in Italy. However, the upswing was capped by soft investment demand. Holdings in ETPs
Japan retail sales fell more than expected in February, declining by 2.3% from a year earlier following a 1.1% drop the previous month, according to the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. In contrast, most analysts had predicted a 1.2% dip. Large-scale retailers experienced even bigger losses, with sales plummeting 3.7% from the previous year after a 3.5% fall in
Raw sugar futures traded in New York decreased to its weakest level in five weeks on Wednesday, while its futures traded in London dropped amid speculation that Brazil's new crop will build up inventories of the commodity. May raw sugar futures slipped 0.2% to 17.75 cents a pound on New York's ICE the lowest since February 15, also it has
The British Sterling appreciated to its highest level in six weeks against the Euro as a demand for the U.K. currency as a haven asset was boosted by the funding crisis in Cyprus where lawmakers decided to agree with measures designed by the Eurozone in order to get the rescue financial package. The Pound advanced by 0.3% to 84.62 pence
Equities in Europe tumbled on Wednesday erasing the previous gains amid stake sales of private-equity owned company TDC and two companies owned by the French and Belgium government, Safran SA and BNP Paribas SA. The European benchmark Stoxx Europe 600 Index declined as much as 0.6% to 292.02 earlier on Wednesday London session after it rose by 0.4% on yesterday.
Business confidence in New Zealand slightly slowed down in the month of March, when the drop was caused by drought which hit the country's North Island and some parts of the South Island, a business outlook survey revealed by the ANZ Bank showed on Wednesday. The ANZ Business Confidence Index eased from 34.6% to 39.4% in March.
Consumer price inflation in Canada advanced in the month of February led by an increase of prices in transportation sector, a data unveiled by the Statistics Canada showed on Wednesday. The data said that the Consumer Price Index accelerated by 1.2% on an annual basis in February after it jumped 0.5% the month before, while on a sequential basis the
German stocks are trading lower on Wednesday despite positive data from the domestic economy. Only five out of 30 companies included in the gauge posted gains and one out of nine industries moved higher. The DAX retreated 1.3%, or 95.27 points, to 7,779. Fresenius SE & Co KGaA, a medical equipment company, surged 1.2% to EUR97.97, pushing the health care
U.K. equities declined on Wednesday as investors were looking for news from U.S. housing market. The FTSE 100 Index lost 0.6%, or 33.16 points, to 6,360.54, close to its highest value since 2008. Only two out of ten industries included in the index increased. Basic materials and health care industries added 0.5% and 0.3%, respectively. TUI Travel Plc surged 2.8%
Hong Kong shares rose on Wednesday on upbeat numbers from the U.S.. The U.S. home prices advanced the most since 2006, while durable goods orders climbed more-than-expected last month. The Hang Seng Index increased for a third consecutive day, adding 0.7%, or 153.74 points, to 22,464.82. All sectors included in the gauge posted gains, with industrials and consumer services soaring