В США гораздо меньше контрактов на покупку нового жилья было подписано, чем в прошлом месяце. В июле количество продаж новых домов сократилось на 13.4% и составило 394 тысяч. Основной причиной разочаровывающих данных стало увеличение процентной ставки по ипотечным кредитам, а также слабый рост занятости.
Gold rose and fell below the highest level in two months as investors speculated whether the Fed will scale back its stimulus versus stronger physical demand. The yellow metal climbed to the highest level in two months at $1,384.55 an ounce on August 19 and it has declined 0.1% weekly. Gold has slipped 18% this year to date as it
The Sterling was almost unchanged against the greenback and Euro as U.K.'s 0.7% economic growth was stronger than initially expected 0.6%. The British currency traded at $1.5584 at 12:13 p.m. in London after depreciating 0.5% yesterday, while the Pound was at 85.70 pence per Euro. The 10-year gilt yield added 0.02 percentage point to 2.74% following a 2.76% increase yesterday.
Emerging-market stocks advanced after a seven-day decline and currencies from Turkish Lira to India's Rupee regained. The MSCI Emerging Markets Index added 0.8% to 929.17 as of 7:06 a.m. New York time, decreasing this week's loss to 3%. The Stoxx Europe 600 Index soared less than 0.1%, while S&P's 500 Index futures dropped 0.1%.
Copper advanced in London, reducing a weekly fall, amid signals global economies are recovering and amid the largest declined in supplies of the copper in about a year. Copper for settlement in three months gained 0.4% to $7,352 per metric ton, while copper for settlement in December increased 0.5% to $3.3523 per pound.
U.K. economy grew more than previously estimated in the second quarter of the year, impacted by positive construction and manufacturing data. Nation's GDP rose 0.7% compared to first three months of the year, when it increased 0.3%, according to Office for National Statistics. Exports were one of the main drivers as they gained most in a year and the British
The Pound jumped against the U.S. Dollar, following a release that indicated the British economy expanded 0.7% in the second quarter. The Britain's currency gained 0.24% to $1.5626 versus the Dollar, and slipped 0.28% to 0.8543 against the 17-nation currency and inched up 0.44% to 154.50 versus the Yen.
Austria's overall output decreased in June amid the weakness in industrial and construction industries. Total output including industry and construction retreated 0.6% on a monthly basis in June The production gauge in the sector plummeted 0.5% and that in the construction industry dropped 0.7%. Overall output slipped 1% in June year-on-year.
German shares were little changed before Eurozone's consumer sentiment data and U.S. housing sales that are awaited by investors. The DAX Index declined less than 0.1% to 8,396.55 as of 10:04 a.m. Frankfurt time, set for a retreat of less than 0.1%; however, the gauge has risen 9.2% since June 24, while the HDAX Index stayed almost flat.
U.K. shares were little changed, with the regional benchmark FTSE 100 Index set for a third consecutive week of losses, ahead of Eurozone consumer confidence and U.S. housing data. The FTSE 100 fell 0.1% to 6,445.99 as of 8:40 a.m. London time and it is set for 0.9% decline weekly on bets the Fed will start tapering its monetary stimulus
U.S. shares advanced on a report indicating expansion in global manufacturing and the U.S. labor market on a three-hour trading pause on the Nasdaq Stock Market due to a computer error. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index increased 0.9% to 1,656.96 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped 66.19 points to 14,963.74.
U.K. 10-year government bunds headed towards their fifth weekly decrease ahead of data analysts said will indicate British economy grew in the second quarter. The 10-year bond yield remained steady at 2.72% and the price of the 1.75% note maturing in September 2022 remained at 92.275. U.K. bonds have brought investors a loss of 4.3% this year.
German government bunds remained steady, with 10-year bonds headed towards a third weekly decrease, following data that indicated German economy grew in the second quarter. German 10-year bond yielded 1.92% and the price of the 1.5% bund maturing in May 2023 was at 96.33. Germany's gross domestic product advanced 0.7% in the period.
Asian shares climbed, snapping the equity-benchmark index biggest one-week retreat in eight weeks, after strong data from Europe and U.S. that improved the confidence in the economic growth. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index rose 1% to 130.85 at 2:20 p.m. Hong Kong time. Japan's Topix index jumped 2%, while the Shanghai Composite Index slid 1.1%.
The Canadian currency declined to the weakest point in six weeks after data indicated retail sales retreated more than expected in June, adding to signs that economic expansion is slowing. Canada's currency plummeted 0.4% to C$1.0516 versus the U.S. Dollar. Retail sales in Canada slipped 0.6% to C$40.1 billion.
The Aussie continued its advance from day earlier versus the U.S. Dollar on bets its decline was overdone this week. The Australian Dollar was little changed at 90.12 U.S. cents at 10:12 a.m. Sydney time from Thursday and it has dropped 2% weekly. The Kiwi remained flat at 78.30 U.S. cents from day earlier, when it reached 78.04, the lowest
European shares declined, prolonging the largest weekly slide in two months, ahead of data on Euro block's consumer confidence and American home sales. The Stoxx Europe 600 Index plummeted 0.2% to 303.03, adding to signs the index has slipped 1.1% this week on speculation the Federal Reserve may begin tapering next month.
The Japanese Yen slipped to the lowest level in a month versus the shared currency on bets that the BoJ Governor Kuroda will talk on monetary easing at the Fed's annual conference. The Yen fell 0.1% to 131.93 per Euro at 6:48 a.m. London time, after reaching 132.34, the weakest since July 25 and it has declined 1.5% weekly. The
Canadian shares advanced, as metal producers increased following a release of purchasing manager's index in China which indicated manufacturing expanded more than forecast this month. The Standard & Poor's/TSX Composite Index inched up 101.27 points to 12,674.35, the largest climb since August 8. Raw material producers rallied 2.3%, the biggest gain among industries included in the S&P/TSX.
The British currency was little changed, headed for its first one-week retreat in approximately three weeks against the greenback and the 17-nation currency, ahead of data that could indicate on U.K. economy's expansion. The Sterling was at $1.5593 by 7:38 a.m. in London, after it fell 0.5% on Thursday and has slipped 0.2% weekly. At the same time, the Pound
Natural gas futures added for a second day in New York on hotter-than-usual weather forecasts in the central U.S. Gas gained 1.6% as higher than normal temperatures were predicted in the Midwest through September 5. September delivery natural gas soared 1.2% reaching $3.501 per million BTU as of 9:19 a.m. on the New York Mercantile Exchange.
Gold futures advanced on Thursday after the U.S. Dollar stopped appreciating following lower-than-expected U.S. jobless claims. Gold increased 0.48% to $1,376.80 per ounce and silver futures climbed 1.11% to $23.220 per ounce. The U.S. currency index retreated 0.47% to 81.597. The Bank of America forecasts that prices for bullion will be at $1,495 per ounce in the fourth quarter.
U.S. house costs increased 7.7% in the year through June, prolonging a rebound that's boosting more homeowners to sell their properties. Prices advanced 0.7% from May, which attracts more sellers to the market and pushes prices up. Diggle's company forecasts that prices will ease to 4% for 2014. The FHFA's data indicated home prices rose 17% from a year earlier
U.S. Dollar retreated a little against the common currency on U.S. jobs data, which exceeded expectations. The greenback fell 0.20% to $1.3327 against the Euro at 12:32 p.m. GMT, while the U.S. currency added 0.46% to $1.5587 against the Sterling. The greenback was at one and a half month high against the loonie, when advancing 0.39% to $1.0511.