The Office for National Statistics revealed on Friday that British construction output fell by 2.6% in the quarter ended September 2012. U.K. construction sector has been experiencing a steady decrease since the third quarter in 2011. A fall in construction was driven mainly by deteriorating private commercial sector, whereas it was offset somewhat by a growth in infrastructure work.
The Cabinet Office reported on Friday that confidence of Japanese consumers shrank for the second month in a row in October. Japan consumer sentiment index decreased to 39.7 on a seasonally adjusted basis from a figure of 40.1 in the preceding month. Analysts, however, expected an even lower reading of 39.5 last month.
The National Bureau of Statistics reported on Friday that Chinese retail sales increased more than expected last month. Year over year, retail sales gained 14.5% in October compared to a figure of 14.2% in the preceding month. Economists, however, expected a reading of 14.4%. Year to date, Chinese sales were by 14.1% higher than during the same period in the
The Stoxx 600 Index is 0.2% lower to 269.98 points in early London trading session on Friday. European equities set the biggest weekly decline since September. Investors are concerned on the Bank of France, Credit Agricole, announcement of a wider loss than analysts' predictions and statement that France economy might contract in the last quarter of this year.
Soybeans futures price was 0.7% lower to $14.9575 a bushel during U.S. trading hours on Thursday. The price reached a three-week low, as the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced, that in the last week of October, soybeans sales dropped by 75% comparing with a previous week due to the demand decrease in overseas markets.
Oil future price for December settlement was only 6 cents higher to $85.15 a barrel during Asia trading hours on Friday. Price was consolidating after 0.6% gain yesterday, when rebounded from the lowest point in four months. Oil price experiences positive changes, as China announced industrial output increase for the second month in October, increasing 9.6% from a year earlier. That signals an expanding China's economy,
Gold spot price advanced by 0.4% to $1,738.19 an ounce in Asia trading session on Friday. The price reached the peak since 19th of October and set the best weekly performance since January. Investors were concerned about the European debt crisis and the prospects of the U.S. QE program, what boosted the price of safe haven assets, especially of gold.
The Yuan was higher by 0.08% to 6.2382 per Dollar in early Asia trading session on Friday. That was a 14th consecutive gain leading to the longest winning period since March 2008. Today markets were positive on China's currency, as inflation data was released and the actual figure was only 1.7%, what is the slowest pace in three years. Therefore, markets speculate on a
Futures on European stocks were slightly changed, as Stoxx Europe 600 Index touched its lowest level in November on reported earnings by European companies, including French industrial company Lafarge SA and luxury-goods company Cie. Financiere Richemont SA. Contracts on the Euro Stoxx 50 Index futures advanced less than 0.1% to 2,482, whereas FTSE 100 Index futures slid about 0.1%.
Japanese shares fell on Friday amid US fiscal worries and mixed China's numbers. China's CPI unexpectedly dropped, while industrial production rose more-than-expected last month. On-going worries over indebted eurozone also weighted down on the Japan's stocks. The Nikkei 225 Index slid 0.90% to end the week at 8,757.60. All sectors within the index tumbled. On the upside, Nippon Telegraph and
US blue chips plunged further on Thursday amid on-going concerns over the US budget clashes. A leadership change in China coupled with recent growth forecast cuts in the eurozone also weighed on the market sentiment. However, Dow pared losses after encouraging data from the national economy. The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index lost 0.94% to close at 12,811.32. All but
US shares prolonged their slump on Thursday as fears over the US fiscal cliff continued to create a heavy pressure on riskier assets. Moreover, Chinese Communist Party Congress as well as concerns over the eurozone's economic instability added to losses of the equities. However, the downswing was limited by positive domestic data. US jobless claims dropped more than expected last
China's industrial output and retail sales rose more than anticipated and inflation unexpectedly decelerated to the slowest pace in 33 months. Industrial production increased 9.6% in October from the last year, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. Retail sales augmented from 14.2% in September to 14.5% and the consumer price index rose 1.7%.
Exports from the U.S. rose to a record level in September, and the trade deficit unexpectedly declined, propping up the world's largest economy at the end of the Q3. The gap narrowed 5.1% to $41.5 billion, the smallest since the end of 2010 and lower than economists' estimate. The increase in sales to overseas buyers appeared to be broad-based, with improvement from soybeans to civilian
The South Pacific currencies strengthened after data showed better-than-expected retail sales and industrial output in china, improving the export outlook for the countries. The Australian Dollar gained 0.2% to $1.0423, set for a 0.8% weekly advance. The New Zealand Dollar climbed 0.3% to 81.69 U.S. cents, after 1% decline since November 2, the biggest drop among the U.S. Dollar's major
The Pound rose for a second straight day versus the Euro as the Bank of England halted its bond-buying programme expansion and left its key interest rate at a historic low of 0.5%. The Pound strengthened 0.2% to 79.74 pence per Euro, after touching 79.61 pence, the strongest since October 1. Sterling traded at $1.5976 after falling to $1.5930, the
The Canadian Dollar fell below parity versus the U.S. Dollar on concern the Eurozone's debt crisis may deepen as officials said they will postpone decision on Greece bailout package. The loonie weakened 0.4% to C$1.0003 per U.S. Dollar after declining yesterday the most in 3 weeks. Canada's Dollar last fell below parity November 1 after Hurricane Sandy closed equity markets.
Rural commodities were mixed on Thursday, with wheat and coffee advancing and corn and sugar declining. Broadly stronger greenback and deteriorating global economic outlook pushed farm commodities lower. At the same time, fears that global supplies may tighten further due to unfavorable weather conditions lent support for the commodity group.Wheat jumped on worries that drought in the US will weight
Energy futures except for heating oil were bullish on Thursday after the release of upbeat US data. Moreover, the commodity group was supported by the previous day's sharp drop as lower prices created bottom fishing opportunities for investors. However, rising US inventories coupled with bleak demand outlook limited gains.Crude oil climbed after the US data showed that unemployment claims declined
Industrial metals rebounded on Thursday despite on-going fears over the US fiscal cliff and weak eurozone's sentiment. Moreover, increased cautiousness ahead of the key China's economic reports due on Friday added pressure on the base metals. Meanwhile, traders turned their focus to the 18th Chinese Communist Party Congress, where a leadership change will take place.Aluminum extended previous gains on improving
Precious metals changed direction and advanced on Thursday, tracking gains in other commodities. However, positive data from the US pushed the greenback higher, thus capping the upswing of the commodity group. Meanwhile, traders remained cautious ahead of the US consumer confidence data due on Friday.Gold moved higher despite stronger US Dollar and weak economic outlook on the eurozone. The yellow
The Japanese Yen fell versus its major counterparts before report next week that is expected to show the nation's economy shrank in the Q3. Japan's currency trimmed a 2-day advance against the Euro after data showed faster than projected growth in China's industrial output and retail sales. The Yen lost 0.4% to 101.66 per euro form 101.30 yesterday. It weakened
China's inflation unexpectedly slowed to the lowest level in 33 months on food costs, adding to signs that the government succeeds in propping up growth without driving a price rebound. The CPI rose 1.7% in October from the last year, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. The figure appeared to be lower than economists' expectation and compared to 1.9%
U.S. equities dropped triggering the Dow Jones Industrial average to fall the most this year, as EU official said the funds may not be allocated to Greece until end the of November, and Apple Inc. shares fell. The Corporation lost 1.7%, prolonging its decrease since mid-September. The S&P's 500 Index slumped 0.2% to 1,392.01, after rallying 0.5% earlier. Meanwhile, The Dow Jones index lost 0.2%