The British Pound appreciated for the fourth straight day versus the U.S. Dollar, recording the longest rally since November 2012 after the U.K. report showed an increase in the country's house prices in April. Sterling advanced by 0.3% to $1.5523 earlier on Monday London session following a rise to $1.5527, the highest since February 15.
Current-account trade balance in South Korea recorded the biggest surplus in a four-month period in March as exports rose despite weaker China's currency, a report unveiled by the Bank of Korea showed on Monday. The current-account surplus increased to $4.98 billion in March from a level of $1.71 billion in February, it was the largest surplus since November 2012.
Industrial profit growth in China slowed down in the month of March from the same period a year ago, the latest data released by the National Bureau of Statistics revealed on Monday. According to the data, earnings at Chinese industrial companies expanded by 5.3% in March compared to a 17.2% growth recorded in the January-February period, while in the Q1
German government yields were little changed on Monday before a report showed that consumer confidence in the 17-nation bloc advanced in April and as Italy is set to sell 6 billion euro in 5- and 10-year notes. The German benchmark 10-year rate was traded at 1.22% at 7:16 a.m. in London after the yield fell to the lowest level in
Consumer confidence in Finland decreased significantly in the month of April after it recorded an improvement in March, with the consumer confidence index falling to 6.4 in April from March's level of 10.2, the latest data released by the Statistics Finland showed on Monday. The report also showed that the headline index was 10.4 in April 2012.
The Reserve Bank of India's Governor Suvvuri Subbarao is expected to lower the repurchase rate for the third time in 2013 from 7.5% to 7.25% on a meeting taking place in the beginning of May, according to a survey reported by Bloomberg news. The India's government 10-year yields fell from 7.90% to 7.73% since the last rate cut on March
South Korea's Won moved up to the highest level in a month amid speculation that the country may attract more dollar inflows after data showed that the trade balance posted a surplus, which has expanded from a month ago. The Won rose by 0.4% to 1,107.30 per U.S. Dollar Seoul time after it touched 1,106.65 earlier, the largest level since
Copper declined for the second session in a row on Monday on speculation that lower-than-expected economic growth in the U.S. and China, the world's largest buyers of the metal, will reduce demand. Copper for July delivery fell by 0.7% to $6,980 a metric ton in London and was little changed at $7,008.25 as of 10:23 a.m. in Seoul.
Silver recorded a decreased in April boosting a demand for products of Silver Bullion Pte, one of the biggest suppliers of coins and bars in Singapore, reducing inventories and increasing delivery time. Silver for delivery in July was traded at $24.20 an ounce on New York's Comex as of 10:50 a.m. Singapore time following a rise of 1.8%.
Gold advanced on Monday recording the largest increase in a 15-month period amid strengthened demand for jewelry and coins and as Goldman Sachs Inc. changed their previous recommendation for selling. Bullion for June delivery rose 1.1% to $1,468.80 an ounce as of 1 p.m. Singapore time after gold prices moved up by 4.2% to $1,453.60 on the New York's Comex
The U.S. Dollar index decreased by more than expected falling to its lowest level in more than a week before a data showed that consumer spending in the U.S. stayed flat suggesting that the Fed may renew its bond-buying programme. The Dollar Index fell 0.2% to 82.339 after it reached 82.264, the weakest since April 17, while the U.S. Dollar
The majority of emerging-market stocks increased on Monday amid speculation that the U.S. and India's stimulus measures will spur economic growth as the world's largest economy accelerated less than forecast according to the last week's report. The MSCI Emerging Markets Index rose 0.1% to 1,023.49 paring April's loss to 1.1%.
Hong Kong stocks declined after slower growth in Chinese industrial companies' profits showed that the world's second largest economy is losing pace. The Hang Seng China Enterprises Index of mainland companies traded in the city lost 1.1% to 10,717.37 and was poised for its biggest decline since April 23, while the benchmark Hang Seng Index worsened 0.2%.
U.S. Treasuries were little changed on Monday before a report showed that payrolls in the U.S. advanced by 150,000 employees in April after it rose by 88,000 the month before and as manufacturing output tumbled in April. The benchmark 10-year yield was at 1.66% at 7:05 a.m. London time, while the 2 per cent note's price was 103 3/32.
European stocks depicted the biggest weekly gain that has not been seen in five months after investors considered the ECB would cut its interest rates and as various companies showed better-than-projected results. The benchmark Stoxx Europe 600 Index climbed 3.7% to 295.89, the biggest weekly gain since November, while the U.K.'s FTSE 100 advanced 2.2%, France's CAC 40 added 4.3%
West Texas Intermediate oil dropped a second day as a government agency indicated economic slowdown in China, the world's second-biggest crude consumer. WTI for June settlement plummeted 57 cents to $92.43 a barrel and the volume of traded futures was 25% lower than the 100-day average. Meanwhile, Brent for June delivery slid 51 cents to $102.65 a barrel and the
New Zealand's Dollar advanced against all its major counterparts as building permits increased to highest in five years, after the central bank implied that housing boom might force it to raise interest rates. The kiwi rose 0.5% to 85.22 U.S. cents and climbed 0.1% versus the Aussie to NZ$1.2102. The Australian Dollar appreciated 0.4% to $1.0315.
Growth in profits of Chinese industrial companies slowed down in March, indicating that the recovery of state's economy is losing steam. It is said that net income rose 5.3% from a previous year to 464.9 billion Yuan ($75 billion), compared to 17.2% growth in the first two months, during which profit increased 12.1% to 1.17 trillion Yuan. Due to investors'
Asian stocks climbed as the regional indicator showed its biggest weekly gain in 16 weeks, on optimism central banks would retain loose monetary policies in order to ensure positive economic growth. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index excluding Japan added 0.3% to 477.17, Australia's S&P/ASX 200 Index rose 0.5%, while South Korea's Kospi index slid 0.3% and Taiwan's Taiex Index lost
The Bank of Japan retained unprecedented plan to increase money supply and predicted inflation would nearly match the target in 2015 despite the fact that a report stressed deflation's grip. According to estimates, consumer prices will increase 1.9% in fiscal year which starts from April 2015. However, there are some parties which see this goal as completely unrealistic and indicate
The Euro fell versus majority of its peers amid speculation the European Central Bank would continue to decrease its record-low benchmark interest rate as the region's economy struggles to grow. The Euro slid 0.2% to $1.2989, lost 1.1% against the U.K. currency to 84.30 pence and weakened 0.3% to 129.14 Yen; however, it has been stated that the ECB monetary
China's Yuan climbed to 19-year high as the central bank set currency's reference rate on amid signs fund inflows are increasing pace. The Yuan advanced 0.2% reaching nearly 6.1650 per greenback, generally rising 0.74% in April, leading to the best month since last year's October. It is believed that pressure for Yuan's appreciation is growing after China's surplus jumped to
Malaysia's Ringgit climbed for a third day, the longest winning streak in three weeks, amid speculation of further monetary stimulus in Japan and that Europe would increase demand for emerging-market assets. The Ringgit appreciated 0.1% to 3.0314 per U.S. Dollar, showing improvements of 0.7% in three days and bearing little changes for the week. The one-month implied volatility dropped 43
For the past week South Korea's won has been leading gains among Asian currencies as economic growth surpassed predictions, while the Thai Baht reached the worst five days taking into account last seven years on speculation that there would be currency control measures. The Won appreciated 0.4% to 1,112.01 per greenback, the Yuan rose 0.2% to 6.1650, Taiwan's Dollar gained