The shared currency surged below $1.32 for the first time in six weeks after an industry report indicated services and manufacturing in Europe shrank faster in February than economists' predictions. The Euro slid 0.7% to $1.3190 and plummeted 1.2% to 122.81 Yen, while the latter gained 0.5% to 93.11 per greenback.
Asian currencies plummeted this week, starting with South Korea's Won and Malaysia's Ringgit, amid speculation the Federal Reserve of Australia would not extend stimulus measures and central banks of region would intervene to control appreciation. The Ringgit fell 0.8% to 3.1020 per greenback, the Won slid 0.7% to 1,086, the Indonesia's Rupiah dropped 0.4% to 9,708 and Indian Rupee depreciated
India's Rupee was set for third weekly drop amid concern U.S. lawmakers would slow debt purchases, which conduced to inflows to emerging markets and increased the supply of Dollars. The currency slid 0.4% to 54.4425 per greenback in Mumbai, the lowest in one month, after results from the Fed's last meeting indicated several officials favour varying the pace of purchasing
The Lonnie fell for a fifth day versus the greenback after the nation's largest export, crude oil, fell on ebbing risk appetite. The Canadian Dollar slid 0.2% to C$1.0185 per U.S. Dollar, after touching C$1.0208, the lowest since July. Presently one Lonnie buys 98.18 U.S. cents. Meanwhile the S&P 500 Index depreciated 0.6%, and the MSCI World (MXWO) Index plunged
The Aussie rallied as Governor of Reserve Bank Glenn Stevens indicated that the bar has increased for currency intervention and approved the present amount of borrowing costs. The currency increased 0.7% to $1.0314, whereas the so-called Kiwi gained 0.4% to 83.76 U.S. cents as a report depicted credit card spending soared for a third-straight month in January.
The Yen debased versus all its major counterparts, while the Aussie surged as the Reserve Bank of Australia signaled that the bar is up for currency intervention and after Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe met the U.S. President Barack Obama. The Japanese currency slid 0.2% to 93.32 per greenback, and dropped 0.4% to 123.29 versus the shared currency. The
According to the Labor Department in Washington, U.S jobless benefits increased to 362,000, for the first time during three weeks. Companies are not decreasing their staffing level despite the fear that climbing prices on gasoline and tax increase will slow down consumer expenditures. However, stock-index futures dropped after the report as the Standard & Poor's 500 Index slid 0.2% to
UK shares dropped on Thursday amid weak risk appetite after the FOMC meeting minutes showed that the Fed may end its bond-purchases. Capping losses of the UK blue chips, UK public sector net borrowing posted a deficit of GBP9.9 billion last month, compared to forecasts of a GBP11.2 million deficit. The FTSE 100 Index plunged 1.75% to trade at 6,284.01.
Hong Kong stocks gave back Tuesday's gains amid lingering concerns that the Fed may halt its easing measures sooner-than-expected. Moreover, worries over expansion of housing curbs weighed on Hong Kong stock markets. On Wednesday, China's cabinet stated it is considering expansion of its pilot real estate tax program to more cities and. The Hang Seng Index declined 1.72% to close
Japanese shares were bearish on Thursday amid escalated worries that the Fed is considering stopping its bond-buying program sooner-than-expected. Weak performance of US stock markets also put heavy selling pressure on Japanese equities. The Nikkei 225 Index plunged 1.39% to close at 11,309.13. All industries finished in the negative area. On the upside, GS Yuasa Corp surged 7.98%, the biggest
US blue chips finished lower on Wednesday amid concerns that the Fed may end its bond-buying program. Meanwhile, market participants remained cautious ahead of the key US figures due on Thursday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index slid 0.77% to end the session at 13,927.54. All but one industry plunged. The only gainers were telecommunication companies, with Verizon Communications jumping
The Wall Street closed in red after a release of the FOMC meeting minutes that showed the Fed may ease or even halt its growth-boosting activities earlier than planned. Furthermore, weaker-than-expected data from the US real estate market put pressure on US equities. The S&P 500 dropped 1.24% to close at 1,511.95. All industries included in the index slid. Meanwhile,
Asian shares plummeted on concern the Fed may refrain from its monetary stimulus. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index declined 1.5% to 133.21 at 3:21 p.m. in Tokyo. Japan's Nikkei 225 Stock Average lost 1.4%, South Korea's Kospi Index fell 0.5% after climbing yesterday the most since September. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 Index declined 2.3% and Hong Kong' Hang Seng Index slid
The South Korean Won halted its two-day rally amid speculation the Fed may opt out expanding monetary easing to prop up economic growth in the U.S, Korea's second-biggest export partner. The currency fell 0.5% to 1,083.80 per greenback at 10:38 a.m. in Seoul, with one-month volatility climbing 7 basis points to 6.82%.
The Chinese Yuan fell toward the lowest level in two months amid concern the U.S. will wind down its asset purchase scheme. The Yuan declined 0.09% to 6.2433 per U.S. Dollar at 10:04 in Shanghai. The currency fetched 6.2454 on February 19, the weakest level since December 14. Divergence of spot prices is accepted within 1% range from the reference
Australia's Dollar fell, after the biggest one-day decline in a month yesterday, as Asian shares plummeted, curtailing demand for risky assets. The Aussie lost 0.2% to $1.0233 at 4:46 p.m. in Sydney after sliding 1% to $1.0256 yesterday. The currency bought 65.62 yen from 95.97 in New York. Australia's 10-year yield fell 0.05 percentage point to 3.54%.
Farm commodities advanced on Wednesday despite weak demand for risky assets after FOMC meeting minutes' release. Broadly stronger US Dollar also failed to send rural commodities lower. The commodity group gained momentum on speculation China may increase its purchases after the Lunar New Year holidays. Wheat climbed amid global output concerns. Wheat output in Texas is expected to drop below
Energy futures apart from natural gas retreated on Wednesday after the FOMC meeting minutes showed that the Fed may stop its easing measures. Meanwhile, market players continued to anticipate the EIA inventory report due on Thursday. Crude oil slumped the most in three months after the American Petroleum Institute reported US stocks rose 2.96 million barrels last week, reaching the highest
Industrial metals followed bearish trend on Wednesday amid worries that the Fed may halt its growth-boosting activities. Stronger greenback coupled with weaker-than-expected data from the US housing market also contributed to the decline. Moreover, subdued buying from China pushed the commodity complex deeper into the red territory. Aluminum declined amid weak US data and worries that the Fed may end its
Precious metals plunged on Wednesday after closely-watched FOMC meeting minutes showed that the Fed may ease or outright stop its bond-purchasing program before initially planned. Pushing the commodity complex lower, the US Dollar skyrocketed after the FOMC report. Meanwhile, market players continued to wait for fresh US data that may result in the Fed's policy changes. Gold plummeted on escalated concerns
German stocks moved higher on Wednesday ahead of the FOMC minutes release scheduled later in the day. German stock market remained well-supported by Tuesday's upbeat reading of German investor confidence indicator. The DAX index added 0.19% and is currently trading at 7,767.24. Only four in nine industries within the index are trading up. Basic materials are leading gains in DAX
UK equities are trading in the positive territory on Wednesday after the latest report showed that more BoE members support an increase in asset purchasing. However, market participants remained cautious ahead of FOMC minutes release due later in the day. The FTSE 100 Index added 0.40% to trade at 6,404.99. Seven out of ten industries rallied. The top-performers were technology
Hong Kong stocks swung to gains on Wednesday after two consecutive sessions of losses. Hong Kong equities tracked gains of the overseas stock markets and improved risk appetite after better-than-expected German investor confidence data. Moreover, property developers bounced off Tuesday's lows thus lifting Hang Seng Index. Hang Seng Index jumped 0.71% to finish at 23,307.41. All but one industry included
ZEW Indicator of Economic Sentiment measuring economic expectations for Germany has climbed 16.7 points in February reaching 48.2 points and has gained 11.2 points to 42.2 in the Eurozone. The respective index evaluating current economic situation has declined 1.9 points and stands at 5.2 points in Germany, meanwhile, in the Euro area situation barely changed and currently is -75.6 points.