Retail sales in Switzerland slowed down in January mainly due to a notable decline in non-food sales, the latest data published by the Federal Statistical Office unveiled on Monday. According to the data, the country's retail sales advanced 0.3% on an annual basis in January, easing after rising by 2.5% in the month before.
Investor confidence in the 18-nation bloc improved in the month of March rising towards its highest level since April 2011 as current economic situation indicator advanced, the private think tank Sentix unveiled in a report on Monday. According to the report, the Eurozone's investors' confidence index increased from a level of 13.3 recorded in February to January's 13.9 points.
Industrial output in Italy returned to growth at the beginning of 2014 following a period of drops in the previous months, a data published by the statistical office Istat showed on Monday. According to the report, the country's industrial production accelerated on an annual basis by 1.4% in January after declining by 0.7% in December.
The gross domestic product growth in France is likely to record 0.2% in the first three months of 2014, a survey published by the Bank of France unveiled on Monday. According to the survey, the country's was downwardly revised mainly due to a drop in business confidence in factory sector falling from January's 99 points to a level if 98
Industrial production in Spain accelerated in January rising for the third successive month, however the pace of growth eased from the month before, a report released by the statistical office INE showed on Monday. According to the report, the country's industrial output gained 1.1% on an annual basis in January, down from 2.2% recorded in December.
Service sector foreign direct investment in India including insurance, banking, research and development, outsourcing and technology testing declined in January, a report released by the DIPP showed on Monday. According to the report, the country's FDI in service sector slipped 61% totaling $1.59 billion in January.
Economy watchers' indicator of current situation and expectations in Japan declined in February easing for the second successive month, a report revealed by the Cabinet Office showed on Monday. According to the report, the country's eco watchers current situation and expectation index fell from a level of 54.7 recorded in January to February's level of 53.
Current account balance in the Asia's second largest economy came in deficit at the beginning of 2014, according to the report revealed by the Ministry of Finance, with the shortfall totaling 1,589.0 billion yen. The report also showed that Japan's current account deficit missed forecast of 1,411.8 billion after recording a shortfall of 638.6 billion in December.
The China's currency weakened on Monday trading session together with short-term rates after a report released over the past weekend showed that exports in the country surprisingly dropped last month and amid speculation that Beijing may be easing its monetary policy. The Yuan slipped as much as 0.5% against the U.S. Dollar.
Shares world-wide swung between gains and losses on Monday session together with tumbling commodities after a government report unveiled that exports in the world's second largest economy declined unexpectedly in February. The China's CSI 300 index fell as much as 3.3% to its weakest level in almost nine months, while the MSCi Asia-Pacific gauge outside Japan lost 1.4%.
Wall Street shared edged lower earlier on Monday trading session as the benchmark stock index Standard & Poor's 500 recorded its historical high last week after a government data showed that exports in China declined surprisingly last month. The S&P 500 Index futures fell as much as 2.5%, the Dow Jones industrial average dropped 21 points and the Nasdaq Composite
Asian stocks tumbled after China reported drop in exports and Japan's economy advanced at slower pace than expected. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index retreated 1.1%, thus falling from its six week high, while the Japan's Topix index slipped 0.8%. The most significant decrease in stock market was for Fortescue Metals Group which sank 9.4% as iron ore futures plummeted.
Japan's economy climbed less than the forecast in the last quarter. The gross domestic product increased 0.7% annualised, while the analysts expected 0.9% growth. The Japan's economy in previous quarter advanced 1.1%, thus this quarter reaching the slowest rate of GDP growth since December 2012.
China's Yuan dropped after the People's Bank of China cut the currency's fixing the most in almost two years. The Yuan tumbled 0.27% against the greenback as the daily reference rate was lowered by 0.18 to 6.1312 per dollar. The slide by Yuan was also increased by the drop in overseas shipment which fell 18.1% in February - the largest
Palladium surged near to a highest level in one year, as the biggest exporter of palladium Russia is threatened sanctions by U.S. and its allies for Russia actions in Ukraine. Palladium price has jumped 8.8% this year, while this week it gained 0.4%. Russia together with second largest palladium exporter South Africa is responsible for almost 80% of palladium output
Switzerland's unemployment rate remained unchanged in February, data was announced by the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs on Friday. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained on 3.2% mark, thus confirming economists' expectations, while the unadjusted unemployment rate also remained unchanged at 3.5%.
The Asian stocks advanced, after U.S. reported drop in unemployment claims, thus raising hopes that US jobs report might show growth. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index jumped 0.5% extending its winning streak to fourth day, while Japanese benchmark Nikkei 225 index rallied 0.9%, thus reaching third weekly gain of 2.9%.
The Australian Dollar advanced against greenback and is near its highest level in three months, after the Governor of Reserve Bank of Australia Glenn Stevens announced that monetary policy is well configured, and stable interest rate is needed in order to aid businesses. The Aussie has surged 1.8% this month, while in February Australia's currency jumped 1.9%.
The European benchmark Brent crude slightly increased on Thursday trading session after a conflict between Russia and Ukraine eased and as an industry report showed that demand for gasoline slipped 1.5% to 8.41 million barrels per day. Brent for delivery in April gained 6 cents to $107.82 per barrel on the London's ICE Futures Europe exchange.
West Texas Intermediate oil declined on Thursday session falling for the third consecutive day after a report showed that inventories in the U.S. advanced and as concerns over geopolitical tension between Ukraine and Russian Federation cooled down. WTI for April settlement slipped as much 51 cents to $100.94 per barrel as of 9:38 a.m. on the NYMEX.
Bonds in the Eurozone declined on Thursday pushing the Spain 10-year yields towards the lowest level in more than eight years after the European Central Bank maintained its refinancing rates at a record low of 0.25% improving the Eurozone's growth forecast. The Spain 10-year yields added 0.01% to 3.37%, while the Italy's 10-year bonds yielded 0.02% lower at 3.40%.
German bunds decreased on Thursday after the European Central Bank decided to maintain its key interest rates unchanged for the fourth successive month and as the bank's President Mario Draghi forecast faster growth of the region. The German benchmark 10-year bonds yielded four basis points higher at 1.65% by 3:15 p.m. in London following a gain to 1.67%, the most
The U.S. Treasuries declined on Thursday trading session pushing the benchmark 1-year yields towards the strongest level in one week after a government report showed that initial jobless claims in the country fell more than forecast last week. 10-year yields gained two basis points to 2.73% as of 10:16 a.m. New York time following a gain to 2.75%, the most
The British Sterling declined on Thursday trading session falling against the euro-area currency after the European Central Bank President Mario Draghi revealed that the bank maintains refinancing rates unchanged and raised growth forecast for this year. The Pound fell 0.7% to 82.73 pence a Euro as of 3:26 p.m. in London.