The U.S. currency was trading lower versus the 17-nation currency, after hitting its 7-week low amid global economic optimism. U.S. jobless claims data for the last week was approximately in line with expectations, the number of claims increased to 330,000, while analysts predicted 335,000. The U.S. Dollar lost 0.21% to $1.3362 versus the Euro, after being at $1.34 earlier today.
The British currency touched the highest level in seven weeks versus the U.S. Dollar after the Bank of England Governor Carney repeated officials' 2% inflation goal. The Sterling added 0.1% to $1.5511 as of 10:47 a.m. in London after appreciating to $1.5531 on Wednesday, the strongest level since June 21. The Pound traded at 86.10 pence per Euro after rising
Aussie jumped 0.9% versus the greenback, trading at $0.9079 as of 9:56 a.m. GMT. The currency dropped to the lowest level in three years on Monday, when the Reserve Bank of Australia set the benchmark interest rate to a record low 2.5%, down 25 basis points. The decision came after inflation data showed better-than-expected figures. The Australian Dollar has declined
European equities gained after latest reports showed that Chinese trade balance has contracted in July. The nations exports grew 5.1%, while imports rose by 10.9%. Analysts predicted export growth of 1.5% and an import increase of 1%. The European Euro Stoxx 50 added 0.4% to 2,805.69. Germany's DAX traded 0.35% higher to 8,289.51.
The Greek jobless rate advanced to another record high level of 27.6% in May, after reaching 27% in April, damping analysts expectations of 26.9%. In the previous year the Greek jobless rate was at 26.1%, and in 2011 the measure was at 21.3%. Greek economic production declined 5.6% in the first quarter on a yearly basis.
Shares in Switzerland dropped for a second day in a row, making it the first back-to-back retreat monthly, as Nestle SA dropped after disappointing sales data. The Swiss Market Index slid 0.6% to 7,927.5 as of 9:36 a.m. Zurich time; however, the gauge has advanced 2.1% previous week, while the Swiss Performance Index decreased 0.5% today.
European shares advanced, fueled by positive Chinese trade report and strong earnings data from some of the European companies. The Stoxx Europe 600 index added 0.1% to 303.01. The Commerzbank AG index increased the most by 9.2%, following upbeat second-quarter earnings data. Aviva PLC shares also jumped 6% and Novo Nordisk AS inched up 1.7%.
U.K. shares gained, bouncing off their biggest retreat in almost two months, as mining companies advanced after Chinese trade topped the forecasts. The FTSE 100 added 0.2% to 6,523.39 as of 9:10 a.m. London time and the gauge has increased 8.2% since June 24. The FTSE All-Shares Index rose 0.2% as well, while Ireland's ISEQ slipped 0.1% today.
Asian shares outside Japan advanced after China's exports increased more than expected, while Japanese stocks declined as the nation's currency appreciated. The MSCI Asia Pacific excluding Japan Index added 0.8% to 438.29 at 2:41 p.m. Hong Kong time, while The MSCI Asia Pacific Index retreated 7.6% from the highest level in five years on May 20.
The Aussie appreciated to the highest level this month versus the U.S. counterpart after China's imports topped the expectations in July. Australia's Dollar climbed 1% to 90.86 U.S. cents at 4:47 p.m. Sydney time, after reaching 90.89, the strongest level since July 30. The Kiwi added 0.1% to 79.81 U.S. cents, after touching 79.98 on Wednesday.
U.S. shares decreased, with the Standard & Poor's 500 Index falling for the first time for three days in a row since June 12 on bets the Federal Reserve will taper stimulus this year as soon as the economy expands. The S&P 500 dropped 0.4% to 1,690.91 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.3% to 15,470.67.
The Japanese Yen fluctuates near ¥96 versus the greenback, the strongest level since June 19, as the Bank of Japan decided to keep bond purchases on economic recovery in Japan. The Japan's currency increased 0.15% to ¥96.20 versus the U.S. Dollar and declined 0.13% to ¥128.56 against the common currency, and jumped 0.01% to ¥149.20 against the Sterling.
Gold prices rebounded, but still remained under the level of $1,300 an ounce, with markets expecting more signs on when the Federal Reserve will begin to scale back its bond buying programme. Gold futures jumped 0.68% to $1,294.10 per ounce and silver gained 1.26% to $19.755 per ounce. Holdings in SPDR Gold Trust decreased to 910.53 tonnes, the lowest level
The Dollar Index has fallen to the lowest level since the middle of June and that may lead to advance in the closest time. The measure that monitors the U.S. Dollar versus the six nation's major trading partners has dropped 4.1% to 81.272 since previous month's strongest level of 84.753 at the beginning of it. The decline has slowed down,
The Euro touched the strongest level in seven weeks versus the greenback as German exports outpaced imports beating the expectations and that indicated on nation's economic recovery. The Euro traded at $1.3342 by 7:28 a.m. London time after it reached $1.3353 on Wednesday, while the shared currency was at 128.52 Yen.
British Pound advanced after the Bank of England released its inflation report. The Pound added 1% to $1.5501 against the greenback. The currency's gain had been boosted by Mark Carney' statement that QE will continue as long as unemployment is above 7%. The BoE will tolerate five basis points above the 2% inflation target.
Gold futures lost for the third consecutive session as Chicago Fed President Evans implied that the U.S. central bank could scale back its monthly asset purchases in September since the labour market has improved. The yellow metal for December settlement fell 0.5% to $1,276.60 per ounce as of 7:22 a.m. on the Comex in New York.
Emerging-market equities dropped to a four-week low as earnings from AngloGold, one of the world's largest producers of gold, and TPK Holding, a touch screen supplier of Apple, missed estimates. The MSCI Emerging markets gauge fell 1% to 937.28 as of 1:25 p.m. London time, headed for the lowest point since July 10.
Construction activity dropped in Canada in June amid fewer projects to build residential houses and commercial and industrial constructions. The value of approved construction permits fell 10.3% to $6.6 billion in June, while the value had a 5.8% gain in May. Analysts predicted the figure to decrease by 2.8%. Residential sector permit value lost 12.9%, while non-residential declined 6.1%.
The Canadian Dollar was at its lowest level in three weeks versus 15 out of 16 main trading peers as building permits decreased in June. The Canada's currency begun weakening on declining prices of oil, the nation's main export. The Loonie fell 0.6% to C$1.0435 per greenback as of 8:37 a.m. Toronto time, after reaching C$1.0437, the lowest level since
Gold declined for the third day in a row, after Chicago Federal Reserve President Evans provided signs that the central bank may start scaling back its bond purchases in the next few months. Gold touched $1,271.80, the lowest level in three weeks, adding to signs Bullion has retreated about 25% this year, after rising annually for 12 years in a
West Texas Intermediate crude fluctuated before U.S. report which may show that the nation's crude stockpiles dropped to the lowest level in six months, while prices gained after Germany, the largest economy in the EU, showed an increase industrial output in June. WTI for September settlement was at $105.50, up 20 cents, on the New York Mercantile Exchange at 11:31
Swiss shares were little changed, after the regional benchmark SMI almost reached a three-week high, as Swisscom AG results topped the estimates. The Swiss Market Index added 0.1% to 8,005.41 as of 11:27 a.m. Zurich time and it has increased 2.1% previous week, while the Swiss Performance Index also rose 0.1% today.
Treasuries gained as the Japanese Yen appreciated to a near seven-week high versus the greenback and equities fell, fueling demand for safer assets as government bonds. Yield on 10-year treasuries lost one basis point to 2.64% as of 11:00 a.m. in London. Both the MSCI Asia Pacific gauge and the S&P 500 declined by 0.6% and 0.4%, respectively.