Confidence among consumers in Finland advanced notably in May after recording a notable drop in the previous month, the latest survey published by the Statistics Finland unveiled on Tuesday. According to the report, the country's consumer confidence index jumped from 3.7 in April to 8.7 points posted in May, while in March it rose to 8.5 points.
Trade balance in Switzerland came in a surplus in April with the result exceeded economists' expectations as imports dropped and exports advanced from March, a report published by the Swiss federal Customs Administration unveiled on Tuesday. According to the report, the country's trade surplus increased from CHF 1.99 billion to CHF 2.43 billion in April.
Confidence among French households stayed unchanged in the month of April matching economists' expectations, the latest report published by the statistical office INSEE showed on Tuesday. According to the report, the France's confidence index recorded 85 points in May, while the index measuring households' opinion over their financial situation gained by 5 points to a level of -23 in April.
Consumer sentiment in South Korea dropped on a sequential basis in May, the latest report unveiled by the Bank of Korea showed on Tuesday. According to the report, the country's consumer sentiment index slipped from 108 points recorded in April to a level of 105 in the following month, while the current living standards index fell by 2 points to
Japan's corporate service prices increased on an annual basis in April as prices for leasing, transportation, communication, motor vehicle and engineering repair advanced on the month, the latest data published by the Bank of Japan showed on Tuesday. The country's corporate service prices added 3.4% in April after gaining 0.7% in March.
Business confidence in Japan slightly increased in the month of May following a month of notable decline, however the manufacturing sector sentiment slipped in May, a report released by the Shoko Chukin Bank showed on Tuesday. The country's sentiment among small and medium size businesses gained from 45.4 points in April to 46.6 in the following month.
Japanese stocks increased on Tuesday after the region's benchmark stock index Nikkei 225 average recorded the strongest level in four weeks on Monday extending its streak of gain to three days as U.S. housing data lifted Wall Street shares. The Nikkei 225 added as much as 0.7% to 14,559.43 following an advanced to 14,592.60, the most since April 22.
The U.S. Dollar slipped further versus the Euro on Tuesday with the U.S. Dollar index measuring its performance against the most traded peers extending its drop after recording the lowest level in seven weeks on Friday. The U.S. Dollar index slipped from 80.443 to 80.233 today, while the greenback traded below 102.00 level versus yen.
The euro-area currency strengthened slightly earlier on Tuesday trading session after the European Central Bank President signaled last night that the bank may ease its monetary policy on the next policy meeting as the region's economy struggles. The Euro was last traded at $1.3658, up from its 3-month low at $1.3615 hit yesterday, while it gained 0.2% to 139.26 yen.
The majority of Asian shares dropped on Tuesday erasing previous session's increase after the European Central Bank President Marie Draghi raised concerns with his overnight comments that the bank may add stimulus sooner than expected. The MSCI Asia-Pacific gauge outside Japan slipped as much as 0.1% after gaining to the highest level in a year yesterday.
The trade surplus of New Zealand dropped in April of the current year, as exports decreased much more than imports amid fall in shipments on meat and dairy products. The positive balance reached $534 million last month after a $935 surplus im March. Exports showed a significant 11% decline in April, while imports slipped only 4%. However, on the annual
Consumer confidence in Germany will see no changes in June of this year, being on the highest level in 7 years. The corresponding index from the research company GfK stayed unchanged at 8.5 points. The result matched analysts' predictions. The report says that consumer confidence in the largest economy of the Eurozone will remain on a quite high and stable
Economic growth in Denmark will accelerate the next year, as the government of the country raised its expectations concerning GDP growth. As predicted, consumer spending will increase more than forecasted, by 2% instead of 1.6%. The economy will most likely add 2%, up from a 1.9% previous outlook. Moreover, the investment and loosing fiscal policy will contribute to growth even
European equities increase in price on Monday, as analysts are waiting for the ECB President Mario Draghi speech yoday. On Sunday, the ECB opened a first open forum for academics and policy makers in Lisbon. The benchmark Europe Stoxx 600 Index added 0.3% to 342.73 points by 7:00 GMT London, while this week is becoming the sixth consecutive in terms
European stock market decreased during the last trading day of the current week, as negative German business confidence data made market fall. Asian shares, in turn, jumped on Friday. The benchmark European equity index Europe Stoxx 600 loses 0.1% to 340.79 points by 8:00 GMT in London. At the same time, analysts expect the overall weekly gain of the mentioned
Economic and business confidence level in Germany decreased in May of the current year, as investors doubt that country's economic growth may slow during the second quarter. The benchmark index, calculated by the Ifo institute, reached 110.4 points versus 111.2 points in April. The indicator evaluates business expectations of 7,000 largest German companies.
Economic growth in the largest economy of the Eurozone has been in line with preliminary estimations in the first quarter of this year and reached 0.8% on a quarterly basis. Year-on-year, German economy surged 2.3%. Among growth contributors, private consumption in the country advanced 1.9% during January-March, while construction sector increased 3.6%.
According to the minutes of the Federal Reserve meeting on April 29-30, the inflation level in the country will not exceed the key level of 2%, despite quantitative easing policy. Moreover, monetary officials pointed out that stimulus will continue to influence employment in a positive way. The Fed is going to track changes in the economy in order to estimate
European equities show an advance on Thursday for the second consecutive day, while positive news come for China and the U.S. Chinese manufacturing expanded more than expected, while the Fed announced the inflation level to remain under the target of 2%. The benchmark European stock index Europe Stoxx 600 jumps 0.2% to 341.11 points by 8:35 GMT in London.
Public sector borrowing in the United Kingdom surprisingly climbed in April of the current year, considerably exceeding analysts' forecasts. In total, the government borrowed 9.6 billion pounds last month, up from 6.1 billion pounds in March, while experts awaited the indicator to fall to 3.5 billion pounds. Meanwhile, the central government debt reached 1,270.8 billion pounds or 75.6% of GDP.
Economic growth in the United Kingdom climbed to 0.8% in the first quarter of this year, in line with the preliminary estimations. Consumer spending increased 0.8% and added 0.5% to the overall GDP advance. Thefore, country's economy surges for the 10th consecutive quarter. At the same time, exports decreased 1% in Q1, while imports shrank 1.1%. Government spending added 0.1%.
West Texas Intermediate crude was little changed on Thursday trading session as it traded near the strongest level in over four weeks after the world's second largest economy showed in a report that its manufacturing sector improved. WTI for settlement in July slipped 21 cents to $103.86 per barrel on the NYMEX as of 3:55 p.m. in Seoul.
Private sector in the euro-area grew at a stable pace in May recording its best three-month period in three years, a report published by the Markit Economics showed on Thursday. According to the report, the Eurozone's purchasing managers' index for both service and manufacturing sector posted 53.9 points in May, slightly down from April's score of 54 points.
Consumer sentiment in the euro-area improved in May rising by more than economists originally expected and hitting the highest level in a seven-year period, the latest report unveiled by the European Commission showed yesterday. The Eurozone's consumer confidence index jumped from -8.6 points in April to a level of -7.1 in May.