The consumer price index in the Eurozone remained below even the half of the ECB target rate of 2%, as energy prices pushed the inflation down. The annual CPI reached 0.7% in January of this year, down from 0.8% a month ago and less than 0.9% predicted by analysts. Therefore, there is an increased probability that the ECB will take
Natural gas futures traded in New York fell further on Friday extending the largest drop in over four years after the weather forecast showed that temperatures in the U.S. should rise in the beginning of February. Natural gas for settlement in March slipped 2.7% to $4.875 a million British thermal units on the NYMEX and was last seen at $4.962
European shares tumbled on Friday trading session with the local benchmark index Stoxx Europe 600 heading for its worst beginning of a year since 2010 before reports showed that unemployment in the Eurozone remained unchanged and consumer sentiment in the U.S. rose. The Stoxx Europe 600 Index slid 0.4% to 321.93 as of 8:35 a.m. London time.
U.S. Treasuries increased on Friday heading for their largest monthly advance in over a year as demand for safe-haven assets were boosted by the Federal Reserve's decision to trim its stimulus measures and as China's manufacturing slowed down. The U.S. benchmark 10-year yields fluctuated at 2.69% by 8:40 a.m. in London.
West Texas Intermediate crude declined on Friday trading session on concerns that its recent jump to the strongest prices in 2013 was too rapid as the futures were set to record the third straight weekly gain. WTI for delivery in March slipped 45 cents to $97.8 per barrel on the NYMEX and was last seen at $97.86 as of 3:58
Unemployment level in Japan unexpectedly dropped much more than predicted in December of the previous year, pointing on the recovery of the labor market. The indicator was down to 3.7% in December from 4% in November. Analysts, in turn, waited for a slight decrease to 3.9%. The total number of people without a work dropped 13.1% on the annual basis,
The consumer price index in Japan jumped to its largest level in five years, as the consumer confidence increases, showing that governmental stimulating policies start to bring first results. Annual inflation inched up to 1.3% in December from 1.2% in November. Economists predicted no changes. Currently, the Bank of Japan target inflation rate is 2%, which should be reached by
Current situation in economy of the 18-nation bloc improved in January and stayed in positive figures for the fifth successive month, a report published by the Bank of Italy showed on Friday. According to the report, the Eurozone's current economic situation index rose from 0.29 recorded in December to a level of 0.31 in January.
Inflation in Spain measured as harmonized index of consumer prices stayed flat in the month of January matching preliminary estimates, a report published by the statistical office INE showed on Friday. Spanish consumer price inflation eased from December's level of 0.3% to 0.2% recorded in the following month, while it was seen to remain unchanged.
Producer prices in France remained stable in the last month of 2013 despite an initial forecast showing declined in prices, the latest data revealed by the statistical office Insee showed on Friday. France's producer price index stayed flat in December compared to a 0.2% declined expected by economists as quarrying and mining sector advanced 2.1% and manufacturing sector fell 0.7%.
Consumer confidence in the United Kingdom improved in December rising by more than economists originally expected, a survey published by the GFK NOP showed on Friday. According to the survey, the nation's consumer confidence index increased from November's level of minus 13 to December's -7, while it was forecast to grow to -12.
The Australian Dollar dropped, reversing its first weekly advance in almost a month, while the Kiwi slipped after nation's central bank governor Wheeler statement. The Aussie slid 0.3% to 87.70 U.S. cents at 6:30 p.m. Sydney time, after yesterday's 0.6% gain, while it slipped 0.5% to 89.88 Yen today. Australia's Dollar traded at NZ$1.0762, after appreciating 1.2% day earlier.
The British Pound is set for a monthly advance against the 18-nation currency as U.K. consumer sentiment improved to a six-year high in January. The Pound traded at 82.26 pence per Euro at 7:42 a.m. in London, after climbing to 81.68 pence on January 22, the highest level in about two weeks. The Sterling was at $1.6471 and it has
Retail sales in Germany surprisingly decreased in December, the data from the Destatis showed on Friday. Turnover in retail sector dropped 2.5% on a monthly basis, pointing on weakness during the Christmas season. Analysts expected the sales to add 0.2% after a 0.9% increase in November. At the same time, on monthly basis retail sales in the country plummeted 2.4%.
Consumer spending in France declined on a sequential basis in the last month of 2013, however the final figure fell on a slower pace than originally expected, a report unveiled by the country's statistical office showed on Friday. France's consumer spending slipped 0.1% in December following a gain of 1.4% in the previous month.
Manufacturing activity in Japan accelerated on January rising at the fastest pace in almost eight years mainly due to an advance in new orders, the latest data published by the Markit Economics and the JMMA showed on Friday. Japan's purchasing managers' index jumped from December's level of 55.2 to 56.6 recorded in January.
Housing starts in the Asia's second largest economy expanded in the last month of 2013, the latest data revealed by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Tourism showed on Friday. According to the report, Japan's housing starts gained 18% on an annual basis after rising by 14.1% in the month before, while it was projected to ease to 13.6%.
Australia's producer prices increased on a sequential basis in the last three months of 2013, the final figures published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed on Friday. According to the report, the country's producer prices gained 0.2% in the Q4 after rising by 1.3% in the quarter before, as agriculture rose 11.1% and other equipment manufacturing surged 3.2%.
The U.S. currency strengthened on Friday rising towards the strongest level in a week versus its most-traded peers after a series of favourable economic data from the U.S. spurred the currency higher and investors expressed concerns about emerging markets. The U.S. Dollar index advanced to 81.135 and was last traded at 81.055, while it has increased 1.3% in January.
Wall Street shares closed higher on Thursday trading session with the local benchmark stock index Standard & Poor's 500 recording its largest gain in four weeks after a report showed that the U.S. economy is expanding faster than forecast. The Dow Jones industrial average added 0.70% to 15,848.61, the S&P 500 Index surged 1.13% to 1,794.19 and the Nasdaq Composite
The majority of Asian shares declined on Friday trading session amid speculation that the U.S. Federal Reserve decision to cut its monetary easing further may cause less liquidity on emerging markets despite favourable economic data about the performance of the world's largest economy. The MSCI Asia-Pacific gauge outside Japan slipped 0.1% and it has dropped 5% this month.
The European benchmark Brent crude slightly increased on Thursday after the Energy Information Administration reported that stockpiles in the U.S. jumped last week by 6.4 million barrels compared to initially estimated gain of 2.25 million. Brent for delivery in March surged as much as 4 cents to $107.89 per barrel on the London's ICE Futures Europe exchange.
West Texas Intermediate oil increased on Thursday trading session rising towards the strongest level in a month after an arctic cold weather in the U.S., the world's largest oil consumer, boosted heating fuel demand. WTI for settlement in March advanced 61 cents to $97.97 per barrel on the NYMEX and was last seen at $97.78 by 1:15 p.m. in London.
Inflation in Germany measured as harmonized index of consumer prices remained stable in January, while it was forecast to record an increase, the latest data revealed by the Federal Statistical Office showed on Thursday. According to the data, the country's HICP added 1.2% in January after recording the same figure in the month before, whereas it was projected to slip