The majority of European equities dropped on Wednesday trading session following an increase towards their three-week highs after a government report showed that gross domestic product in the U.S. eased by more than economists projected in the Q1. The Stoxx Europe 600 Index fell 0.2% to 337.44 as of 2 p.m. London time snapping its monthly gain to 0.9%.
Inflation measured as consumer price index in Italy accelerated in the month of April following previous drops, a report published by the statistical office ISTAT unveiled on Wednesday. The country's consumer price index grew 0.6% on an annual basis in April following a 0.4% gain recorded in March, while it was originally seen to be rising by 0.5%.
Italian labour market remained unchanged in the month of March as the jobless rate maintained near the highest level all-time, the latest data released by the statistical office ISTAT unveiled on Wednesday. According to the data, the Italy's unemployment rate recorded 12.7% in March staying at the strongest level since 1977.
Retail sales in Portugal increased in the month of March, however the pace of growth weakened from the February's level, a data published by the Statistics Portugal showed on Wednesday. According to the report, the country's retail sales advanced by 1.3% on an annual basis in March following a 1.7% advanced in the month before.
Industrial output in Portugal dropped in the month of March falling for the first time in a seven-month period, the latest report published by the Statistics Portugal showed on Wednesday. According to the report, the country's industrial production slipped annually by 1.3% in March following a 3.1% growth in February.
GDP in the world's largest economy increased in the first three months of this year, however the pace of growth was lower than economists originally project, a data published by the Commerce Department showed on Wednesday. According to the report, the U.S. GDP grew 0.1% in the Q1 following a 2.6% gain in the Q4 of 2013.
Consumer prices in Spain advanced in April matching economists' projections after recording a drop in the prior month, the latest data unveiled by the statistical office INE showed on Wednesday. According to the report, the Spanish consumer prices rose by 0.4% on an annual basis in April following a decrease by 0.1% in the month before.
Employment in the world's largest economy advanced in April as the private sector employment increased by much more than initially estimated, the latest data revealed by the Labor Department showed on Wednesday. According to the report, the U.S. employment in private sector added 220,000 new jobs in the month of April compared to 210,000 jobs originally forecast.
Housing starts in the Asia's second largest economy dropped on March falling by more than economists originally projected, a report released by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism showed on Wednesday. Japan's housing starts slipped by 2.9% on an annual basis in March following a 1.0% gain in the prior month.
Government bonds across Eurozone increased on Wednesday trading session reversing previous drops after a report unveiled that inflation in the area advanced in April suggesting that the European Central Bank may keep its current policy for now. German bund yields gained to 1.52% following an advanced to 1.49%, whereas Italian and Spanish bonds added 0.01% to 3.11% and 3.06% respectively.
The Eurozone's currency increased on Wednesday recovering from previous drops after a report showed that inflation in the euro-area accelerated by 0.7% in April cooling speculation that the European Central Bank may cut its benchmark interest rates further next week. The Euro rose versus the U.S. Dollar to a level of $1.3824 today.
Wall Street shares swung between gains and losses on Wednesday trading session after a government report showed that gross domestic product in the U.S. by less than expected in the first three months of this year. The benchmark index Standard & Poor's futures slipped 2 points, the Dow Jones industrial average futures lost 2 points and the Nasdaq Composite futures fell 10 points.
Daimler AG, the third biggest luxury car manufacturer in the world, announced a considerable 95% increase in profit for the first three months of this year, as EBIT reached 1.79 billion euros. At the same time, despite rise in sales, Mercedes cars division contributed only 7% to total sales, less than predicted at 10%. Today, Daimler AG shares drop 2.2%
The total number of people without a job in Germany declined considerably in April of the current year, as economy continues to show a gradual recovery. Unemployment decreased 25,000 this month, comparing with March data, while economists waited only for a 10,000 drop. At the same time, the seasonally adjusted jobless rate in the country remained unchanged at 6.7%.
Economic growth in Spain increased in the first quarter of this year, reaching as much as 0.4% on a quarterly basis, rising from 0.2% in the previous three months. Therefore, Spanish GDP advanced already for the third quarter in a row. All the data matched analysts' expectations. Year-on-year, economy of the country added 0.6% after a 0.2% decline in October-December
The Bank of Japan decided to keep the amount of asset purchases on previous levels, as board members expect that inflation level in the country will finally reach the target of 2% by the year 2016. Nowadays, the annual rise of the monetary base stands at 60-70 trillion yen. As predicted by BoJ economists, inflation will reach as much as
The British Sterling increased on Tuesday rising for the fourth successive day versus its U.S. counterpart and reaching the highest level in four years as investors speculate that the United Kingdom's growth may increase further. The Pound strengthened by 0.2% to $1.6841 by 4:10 p.m. in London following a jump to $1.6853 recorded yesterday.
Emerging-market equities increased on Tuesday trading session rising by the most in four weeks led by Russian shares gaining by 2.3% after the U.S. and European Union added more sanction on the Russian Federation. The MSCI Emerging Markets Index advanced as much as 0.8% to 1,001.16 by 10:23 a.m. New York time.
European bonds were little changed on Tuesday as investors speculate whether the European Central Bank introduce further monetary stimulus measures on the next week's policy meeting as inflation in the Eurozone stays low. Spanish benchmark 10-year yields traded at a level of 3.07% by 2:57 p.m. in London following a gain by five basis points, while Italy's 10-year notes were
The European benchmark Brent crude increased on Tuesday trading session as the U.S. and European Union put more sanctions on Russia and as stockpiles at Oklahoma's Cushing delivery point dropped according to a report released by the EIA. Brent for delivery in June jumped as much as 0.9% to a level of $109.14 per barrel on the London's ICE Futures
West Texas Intermediate crude increased on Tuesday trading session after European Union and the U.S. added more sanctions on Russian individuals and companies as the geopolitical crisis in Ukraine continues. WTI for settlement in June added as much as $1.11 to $101.95 per barrel as of 9:58 a.m. on the NYMEX.
U.S. Treasuries dropped on Tuesday trading session falling for the second successive day as the U.S. Federal Reserve begins its two-day policy meeting expected to bring further cut of its bond-buying program to $45 billion a month. The benchmark 10-year government bonds yielded one basis points higher at 2.71% by 10:20 a.m. in New York.
Retail sales in Italy slipped in the month of February falling for the third successive time and at a faster rate than originally expected, the latest figures revealed by the statistical office Istat showed on Tuesday. Italy's retail sales dropped by 1.0% in February after sliding by 0.9% in the previous month and decreasing by 2.6% in December.
Business confidence in Italy accelerated in April rising for the third successive month and maintained at the strongest level in almost three years, the latest report unveiled by the statistical office Istat showed on Tuesday. According to the report, the country's business sentiment index jumped from March's level of 99.3 points to 99.9 points in the following month.