Wall street stocks decreased, after better-than-forecast business confidence data and slightly better Chicago PMI. The Standard & Poor's 500 index dropped 0.13% to 1,635.98 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average plummeted 0.18% to 14,814.47, while the Nasdaq Composite decreased 0.48% to 3,602.95.
The Canada's currency traded steady against its U.S. counterpart, as a report indicating the Canadian economy expanded more than forecast in the second quarter. The Canada's Dollar remained steady at $1.0536 against the greenback, as Canadian real GDP declined 0.5% in June after increasing 0.2% in May.
The Australian currency is headed towards the longest losing streak in over four years, after the U.S. expansion boosted the case for tapering monetary stimulus. The Aussie appreciated 0.1% to 89.40 versus the U.S. Dollar, while the New Zealand's currency advanced 0.1% to 77.81 against the greenback.
West Texas Intermediate decreased for the second day after U.S. officials rejected a plan to take military action in Syria, damping the outlook for an imminent strike and easing worries of disrupting the Middle East overseas sales. The October WTI contract slipped to $106.75 per barrel and Brent for October delivery plummeted 1.3%.
German government bunds increased for the second day as data indicated retail sales in Germany unexpectedly plummeted in July, boosting demand for safer assets. The German 10-year bund yield slipped one basis point to 1.84% and the 1.5% note maturing in May 2023 inched up 0.115 to 96.985, while Germany's retail sales retreated 1.4% from June.
German shares decreased, prolonging the benchmark DAX Index's monthly fall, on an unexpected plummet in retail sales and concerns about potential U.S. military strikes against Syria. The DAX retreated 0.6% to 8,146.45, extending it's weekly loss to 3.6%. Germany's retail sales slipped 1.4% in July from the previous month.
European shares declined on Friday, headed towards a weekly decline, on concerns over expanding conflict in Syria. The European Euro Stoxx 50 decreased 0.64% to 2,740.09, with Herman DAX 30 falling 0.58% to 8,147.13 and the French CAC 40 slipping 0.58% to 3,963.81. The U.K. FTSE 100 plummeted 0.43% to 6,454.30.
Gold snapped some of the previous climbs on Friday, after strong U.S. report from Thursday boosted speculation the the Federal Reserve may begin tapering in September. The December gold contract on Comex decreased 1.10% to $1,397.20 per ounce, and silver futures dropped 2.51% to $23.535 per ounce.
U.K. shares declined, prolonging the FTSE 100 Index's monthly decrease, ahead of the report on U.S. business activity and consumer spending. The benchmark FTSE 100 slipped 0.3% to 6,462.15 and the broader FTSE All-Share Index retreated 0.3%, while Ireland's ISEQ Index declined 0.6%. Shell and BP, largest oil companies in Europe, declined 0.9% to 2,096.5 pence and 0.9% to 446.65,
The Japanese currency snapped its two-day decline and advanced versus the U.S. Dollar, as Japan posted inflation and industrial output report earlier in the day. The Japanese Yen rallied 0.35% to ¥97.98 against the greenback and jumped 0.23% to ¥129.92 against the 17-nation currency, and climbed 0.27% to ¥151.02 versus the Sterling.
The U.S. Dollar headed towards its largest weekly advance in two months versus the Euro on speculation the U.S. data today will boost the case for the Federal Reserve to taper bond purchases. The greenback was steady at $1.3236 versus the Euro and declined 0.4% to 97.95 against the Japanese Yen, while the Yen jumped 0.5% to 129.64 versus the
Canadian currency declined to the weakest level this week ahead of data tomorrow that may indicate the Canadian economy stagnated the most since 2009 in June, while an increase in U.S. economy fueled the case for tapering measures. The Canada's Dollar fell 0.4% to C$1.0523 versus the greenback, adding to signs it has declined 2.4% in August.
The U.S. Dollar stayed high as markets eyed important macro economic report from U.S. The U.S. Dollar remained flat versus the Euro, gaining 0.69% to $1.3246 and advanced 0.86% to 98.47 versus the Yen, and rallied 0.24% to $1.5488 against the Sterling. The second quarter GDP rate in the U.S. advanced to 2.5%, surpassing analysts' expectations of 2.2% growth.
U.K. shares increased, halting the decline for two days in a row, ahead of the release of a report on U.S. economic expansion and as Vodafone Group Plc announced it may sell its 45% stake in the joint venture to Verizon Communications Inc. The FTSE 100 Index increased 32.69 point to 6,462.75, while Vodafone inched up 8.1% to 204.7 pence.
Japanese Yen decreased versus the U.S. currency, as investors have been digesting U.S. plans about a possible attack against Syria after Syria's government possibly used chemical weapons against people. The Japanese currency depreciated 0.54% to ¥98.16 against the U.S. Dollar and plummeted 0.41% to ¥152.19 against the Sterling.
Japanese government bonds increased, sending 30-year note yield to the lowest level in 12 weeks, while the plan of military action in Syria boosted demand for the safer Asian nation's bonds. Japanese 10-year yield decreased to 0.71%. Thirty-year bond yields decreased to 1.745%, the lowest figure since June 10.
Italian government bonds rallied for the second day on bets easing of political tension in Italy will fuel demand for 6 billion-euro auction of five- and 10-year notes today. Italian 10-year yield jumped two basis points to 4.39% and the 4.5% note expiring in May 2023 inched up 0.17 to 101.225. Italy last auctioned 10-year bonds at the average of 4.46% on
Asian benchmark share index advanced from the lowest level in two months after energy stocks climbed as worries military action in Syria will stop global oil supplies boosted crude prices higher this week. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index inched up 0.6% to 129.85, with Japanese Topix index jumping 0.2% and South Korean Kospi Index gaining 1.2%.
Gold dropped from a three-month peak on Syria's tension as economic data from U.S. may add to the case for the Fed's tapering, also technical analysis showed an upcoming reduction in prices. Immediate delivery gold slid for the first time in six days 0.9% to $1,404.88 an ounce and stayed at $1,407.49 as of 2:51 p.m. Singapore time, following a
German 10-year government bunds were steady ahead of data that mayl indicate the unemployment rate in Germany remained near the two-decade low this month. German 10-year note yielded 1.88% and the 1.5% bond maturing in May 2023 remained at 96.67. The German unemployment rate was unchanged at 6.8% in August.
European stocks soared, cutting a three-day drop for the Stoxx Europe 600 Index, while investors awaited U.S. economic growth and unemployment data and also German jobless claims. The Stoxx Europe 600 added 0.6% to 299.72 as of 8:07 a.m. London time, balancing off this month's losses, while the S&P's 500 Index futures advanced 0.3% and the MSCI Asia Pacific Index
The Sterling increased for the second day against the common currency as the Bank of England Governor Mark Carney could not persuade investors that the central bank will maintain interest rates at the record low. The Sterling appreciated 0.3% to 85.62 versus the Euro and remained steady at $1.5519 against the greenback.
West Texas Intermediate decreased under the $110 level and Brent declined under $116 per barrel, as heated oil markets are expecting further steps regarding Syria. The October WTI contract declined 1.11% to $108.86 per barrel, while the European benchmark Brent dropped 1.15% to $115.28 per barrel.
The Australian currency advanced against the U.S. peer, after falling for four days in a row, recovering from the lowest level in three weeks as official report indicated private consumption had increased well ahead of expectations in July. The Aussie rallied 0.38% to $0.8974 against the greenback and gained 0.53% to $1.4839 against the Euro. Private consumption gained 4% in