Jobless rate in Luxembourg remained flat at the historical high levels in the month February, when the total number of unemployed people reached figure of 17,363 annually following a January's 17,408 unemployed persons, the statistical office reported on Friday. The unemployed rate was 6.4% in February, the same figure like in January and December.
India's shares decreased on Friday recording a six-day losing streak with the benchmark Indian index reaching its worst weekly drop in a 15-month period after political instability together with limited room for interest rate cuts brought fear on markets. The Standard and Poor's BSE Sensex fell 0.3% to 18,735.60 on Friday, the lowest level since November 26, while the index
Retail sales in Cyprus declined significantly in the month of January, however, the pace of the decline was slower than a month before, the nation's statistical office reported on Friday. The report showed that retail sales in volume terms decreased 27.6% on a monthly basis compared to a 28.3% fall the month before, while on an annual basis the retail
Unemployment in Norway stayed flat in the month of March remaining at the same level for the third month in a row, data released by employment research agency NAV unveiled on Friday. The data said the jobless rate was in line with economists' expectations at 2.7% in March, however there were 1,200 more unemployed people in the same month. The
The Euro advanced by 0.7% to $1.2990 at the midday trading session in New York on Friday. The currency reached a 1.30 benchmark for the first time this week, as investors traded positively on speculation that Cyprus is getting closer to an international agreement, which will help to avoid a financial collapse.
Italian 10-year bond yield decreased by six basis points, or 0.06 percentage points, to 4.53% in the end of London trading session on Friday. Bond prices increase for a third straight day, as Cyprus signals about getting closer to a deal, which will result in an international bailout. Traders consider a current situation as a buy opportunity, assuming that the agreement will
Tourism arrivals in Japan increased in the month of February reaching its highest figure of visitors ever for the month, the Japan National Tourism Organization showed in a report on Friday. The number of foreign arrivals to Japan advanced on an annual basis by 33.1% to 729,500 in February, recording the most ever visitors for the month, while in January
Hong Kong equities fell on Friday, as protests in Cyprus underscored concerns that the debt crisis in Europe could worsen. Hang Seng index posted the biggest weekly decline since August 2012. Only two sectors in the gauge advanced. Industrial and consumer goods sectors added 0.5% both. China Unicom Hong Kong Ltd, a Chinese state telecommunications operator, surged 3.7% to HK$10.74
German government bonds advanced for a second straight day amid concerns about Europe's debt crisis will deepened after Cypriot lawmakers did not agree with the Eurozone's bailout plan and as the nation failed to get financial support from Russian. German benchmark 10-year bund yields fell 0.02 percentage points to 1.34% earlier on Friday London session, its lowest level since January
France's economic performance is set to stagnate in the first three months of 2013 as nation's unemployment continues to rise notably and as consumer purchasing power stays weak, the statistical office Insee reported on Friday. The report said the French GDP will record nil growth in the Q1 following a 0.3% drop in the Q4, while the unemployment rate is
French business confidence stayed flat in the month of March after it improved the month before, while economists were expecting an increase in March, the statistical office Insee reported on Friday. The report showed that the manufacturing sector business confidence index remained unchanged from the previous month at 90 points in March, while in January it reached 87 points.
Business confidence in Germany unexpectedly declined in the month of March, falling for the first time in last five months, a data released by the Ifo Institute showed on Friday. According to data, the business confidence index dropped to 106.7 in March compared to a forecast of 107.8 points following a climb to its highest level In 10 months at
Emerging-market shares decreased on Friday to its weakest level in three months mainly due to a notable drop of energy companies' stocks and as Cypriot lawmakers will debate bailout plan today. The MSCI Emerging Market Index dropped 0.4% to 1,018.70 at 1:33 p.m. Hong Kong time and it has declined 2.3% this week heading for it largest lost in a
The British Sterling advanced against the Eurozone's currency to the highest level in a five-week period as Cypriot lawmakers started new bailout debate after they rejected first European refinancing plan. The Pound appreciated 0.1% to 84.96 pence per Euro earlier on Friday London session following a jump to 84.85 pence, its strongest level since February 11.
Japanese stocks dropped, sending down the Nikkei 225 for its biggest decline on week since November, as the Yen appreciated against its major peers after Russia rejected Cyprus bailout plan, and Haruhiko Kuroda, the BOJ's governor, did not announce fresh monetary stimulus. The Nikkei 225 Index declined 2.4% to 12,338.53, posting a 4% weekly drop. 210 out of 225 members
Gold was set for its longest weekly streak of gains in a six-month period on Friday as a demand for the commodity was boosted by unfavourable news about situation in Europe after lawmakers are considering a possibility of shutting down two largest Cypriot banks. March Gold futures were little changed at $1,612.58 an ounce on Friday heading for another week
Brent oil's premium to West Texas Intermediate crude declined to its lowest level in eight months on Friday as the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries' exports will be cut by 2% through April due to a maintenance at Asia's refineries. Brent for delivery in May was up 3 cents at $107.50 a barrel on London's ICE, while May WTI futures
Australia's economic activity slightly improved in the month of January with the Conference Board leading economic index rising after two months of losses, the Conference Board report on Friday. The report showed that the headline index rose 0.2% in January mainly caused by the stock prices and supplies improvements during the month, however the index is still falling 1% in
U.S. Treasuries were little changed on Friday heading to a second weekly gain amid boosted demand for U.S. government bonds as a confidence of investor was hurt after Troika's demand for unprecedented levy on Cypriot bank account holders. The U.S. 10-year yields were little changed at 1.9% early on Friday London session following a nine-basis-points drop this week.
The Australian currency is heading for a third straight week of gains after a data showed that leading economic indicators advanced suggesting that the country's economy is stabilizing and increasing a demand for the currency. The so-called Aussie was traded 0.3% from the highest level in seven weeks at $1.0459 reached yesterday, when it slid 0.1% to $1.0428 on Friday.
Most U.S. blue chips dropped yesterday, as economic data on the Eurozone's services and manufacturing output shrank more than estimated, sparking concerns over Euro-area's debt turmoil. In addition, the German purchasing managers' index slipped unexpectedly in March. The Dow Jones Industrial Average retreated 0.6%, or 90.24 points, to 14,421.49. All but one sector in the gauge inched lower. Cisco Systems
U.S. equities dropped on Thursday, with the S&P 500 falling down from trading close to its record high the day before on rising concerns about the European debt crisis. The uncertainty about Cyprus financial plan offset positive economic data on the world's largest economy, as the ECB said it might cut Cyrpus' banks off emergency funds. The S&P 500 Index
The Japanese currency was flat on Friday after the new Bank of Japan's governor was coy about calling an emergency meeting before April's policy review and as concerns about Europe's debt crisis occurred after Cyprus did not agree with the Eurozone's bailout plan. Yen was little changed at 95.03 per U.S. Dollar and it went down from 124.38 to 122.54
Asian shares decreased on Friday with the regional stock gauges reaching their largest weekly drops in five months as concerns about debt crisis in Europe erupted after Cypriot lawmakers did not agree with the Eurozone's first bailout plan and levy on Cyprus's bank depositors. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index dropped 0.7% to 134.2 and its heading for a 1.8% this