Most Asian shares increased as decrease in Japan's consumer prices raised pressure on the Bank of Japan for more stimulus. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index gained less than 0.1% to 131.79 at 12:50 p.m. in Tokyo. Japan's Topix rose 1.8 today, poised for the 11th weekly winning streak, the longest since January 1973. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 Index added 0.4%, while
South Korea's Won dropped to a one-month low as foreign funds increased sales of local stocks, and amid political concerns after North Korea statement of nuclear weapon test. The Won weakened 0.1% to 1,069.55 per U.S. Dollar at 10:24 a.m. in Seoul, after touching 1,070.95 earlier, the lowest level since December 28.
Australia's Dollar strengthened against the Japanese Yen for a second straight day amid speculation pressure will mount on the BOJ to add monetary stimulus as core consumer prices fell last month. The Aussie gained 0.2% to 94.56 yen at 4:42 p.m. Sydney time. The currency weakened to $1.0439, the lowest level since January 4, before trading at $1.0451.
The Japanese Yen set for the longest weekly losing streak versus the U.S. Dollar on data that showed a decrease in consumer prices, raising possibility of further monetary measures from the nation's central bank. The currency lost 0.2% to 90.50 per greenback as of 1:44 p.m. Tokyo time after earlier trading at 90.69, the lowest level since June 21, 2010.
U.S. existing home sales went down surprisingly in the last month of 2012 despite an increase of total sales in 2012, which reached its highest level in a five-year period, the National Association of Realtors reported on Tuesday. The reports showed a 1.0% fall of existing home sales to a figure of 4.94 million in December compared to 4.99 million
U.S. jobless benefits claims dropped unexpectedly in the week ended January 19 reaching its lowest level since January 2008, the Labor Department showed in a report on Thursday. The report said the number of applications for unemployment benefits declined by 5,000 to 330,000 last week, the lowest figure in five years, compared to economists predictions of 355,000 claims."The swings are
Output of private sector in Germany increased in January hitting its twelve-month high as the service activity has the biggest impact rising at the fastest pace since June 2011, while manufacturing production grew slightly in January. Markit Flash Germany Composite Output Index added 3.3 points as it rose from 50.3 in December to 53.6 in January."The euro dipped on French
The number of mortgage approvals in the U.K. rose in November to its highest level in a nine-month period, suggesting that the home loan market is going through stabilization, the British Banker's Association reported on Thursday. Mortgage approvals rose from 33,634 in October to 33,128 in November, while the gross mortgage lending reached 7.7 billion pounds.Households "continuing to repay virtually
Hong Kong equities retreated extending their losses for a second straight day, as the Apple's suppliers were hit after the most valuable company in the world posted lower-than-expected revenue. The Hang Seng index declined 0.2% to 23,598.9. Four out of nine groups in the gauge declined with telecommunications pairing biggest losses, as the shares were 2.26% down. China Unicom stocks
Asian shares were volatile as Japan's stocks rose on a weaker Yen, China's PMI data and North Korea's nuclear weapons test. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index fell 0.1% to 131.90, following a 0.1% gain and 0.4% decline. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index slid 0.3%, while China's Shanghai Composite Index fell 1.1% after jumping 1.8% earlier. Japan's Nikkei 225 Stocks Average
Farm commodities were divided on Wednesday, with softs moving higher and grains slumping. Lower coffee and sugar prices attracted new buyers thus sending softs higher. At the same time, weak demand for risky assets after the IMF lowered its global growth forecast put notable pressure on grains. Wheat gave back some of the previous gains on speculation that the southern US
Energy futures were mixed on Thursday amid rallying US Dollar and more pessimistic outlook on the world's energy demand after the IMF lowered its growth forecast. Fiscal worries also weighed on the commodity group. US approved a temporary lift of its debt ceiling until May. However, uncertainty over how the US lawmakers will agree on debt ceiling extension still persists.
Japanese equities rallied, sending the Nikkei 225 index to its first gain this week, as the Yen depreciated on Chinese manufacturing data that boosted the profit outlook for companies practicing their business there. The Nikkei Stock Average advanced 1.3% to 10,620.87. All but one group in the gauge inched higher. Dainippon posted the best results in the index with its
U.S. blue chips edged higher, as benchmark gauges touched their highest levels in five years after lawmakers voted to delay the country's borrowing limit. The Dow Jones Industrial Average surge 0.5%, or 67.12 points, to 13,779.33. Four out of nine groups advanced with technology shares rallying the most by 3%. The best performing blue chip was International Business Machines that
U.S. equities climbed after lawmakers decided to temporarily delay the federal debt-ceiling and technology shares surged on corporate profits that beat estimates. The S&P 500 index advanced 0.2% to 1,494.81. Five out of ten groups in the gauge increased with technology shares posting biggest gains. The latter sector improved, as Advanced Micro Devices, one of the largest processor maker for
India's Rupee declined the most in 2 weeks as the IMF revised down its global growth outlook. According to the IMF's statement, the world economy will grow 3.5% this year, compared to a 3.6% forecast in October. The Rupee weakened as much as 0.3% to 53.8150 per U.S. Dollar, the biggest decline since January 11.
Industrial metals, excluding copper, moved higher despite a strong downward pressure from global growth concerns. The IMF cut its forecast for global economy from 4.1% to 3.5% for 2013. Meanwhile, market players were cautious ahead of flash manufacturing data from China due on Thursday. Aluminum inched up as inventories at LME declined for the second session in a row. However,
Taiwan's Dollar forwards fell the most in a week amid speculation officials will curtail currency advance to prop up exporters. One-month non-deliverable forwards declined 0.2% to NT$29 against the U.S. Dollar. The contracts have been falling 0.3% this month. Taiwan's Dollar rose 0.3% to NT$29.018 against the greenback.
The South Pacific currencies gained against the Japanese Yen after data showed China's manufacturing activity accelerated at the fastest pace in 2 years, improving outlook for exports of commodities. The Australian Dollar advanced 0.4% to 93.94 yen, while it declined 0.4% to $1.0517 and fell 0.4% to NZ$1.2473. The kiwi climbed 0.9% to 75.32 yen and rose 0.1% to 84.31
Precious metals except for silver slid on Wednesday as stronger US Dollar after the Bank of Canada left its interest rates unchanged put heavy pressure on the commodity complex. The demand for greenback was further boosted after the IMF cut its growth forecasts. The IMF now expects the Eurozone's economy to contract 0.1% this year versus October's estimate of a
Japan's currency fell as improving manufacturing in China curbed demand for safety of the Yen, along with North Korea's test of nuclear weapons that damped investors' interest in region's assets. The Yen weakened 0.8% to 89.33 per U.S. Dollar after strengthening 1.7% during the previous 3 days. Japan's currency touched 90.25 on January 21, the lowest level since June 2010.
German shares stayed little unchanged prior to the U.S. House of Representatives vote to stem the nation's borrowing limit. By suspending the decision on the debt-limit, Republicans aim at meeting other deadlines to seek deeper spending cuts. The DAX index advanced 0.13% to 7,706.46, after earlier advancing as much as 0.4%. Five out of nine groups in the gauge
U.K. equities stayed flat on Wednesday close to their highest since May 2008 on better-than-expected unemployment data and Prime Minister's announcement to hold a referendum on exiting the European Union block. The FTSE 100 index advanced 0.2%, or 11.88 points, to 6,195.05, lifting its yearly advance to 5%. Five out of ten sectors in the gauge increased. Tullow Oil posted
Copper futures with settlement for three months were lower by 0.4% to $8,098 a metric ton on London Metal Exchange during Asian trading session on Wednesday. The metal price declined from a one-week high, as China's industrial companies announced that production jumped by 22% in December, making a new record. Also, total output increased by 11% in 2012.