The majority of Asian shares increased on Thursday session extending their previous gains after the U.S. Federal Reserve released its minutes of the latest policy meeting signaling that the bank may be cautious towards lifting interest rates. The MSCI Asia-Pacific outside Japan jumped as much as 0.1% hitting the highest level if five months and the Nikkei stock index climbed
The European benchmark Brent crude decreased on Wednesday trading session after the government of Libya declared that two ports given back from rebels started working again and oil exports will continue. Brent for delivery in May traded 34 cents lower at a level of $107.33 per barrel on the London's Ice Futures Europe exchange.
West Texas Intermediate crude declined on Tuesday session falling from the strongest levels in four weeks after a report showed that stockpiles increased in the U.S., the world's largest consumer of oil. WTI for settlement in May slipped as much as $0.53 to $102.03 per barrel on the NYMEX and was last seen at $102.15 by 9:57 a.m. in London.
The U.S. Treasuries increased on Wednesday with the benchmark 10-year notes falling for the first session in a five-day period before an auction today totalling $21 billion of the 10-year securities and as investors awaited for the Fed's minutes released today. The 10-year notes gained two basis points to 2.70% by 10:17 a.m. London time.
Chinese equities mostly increased on Wednesday trading session with the benchmark Shanghai stock index reaching the strongest level in six weeks on signs that the People's Bank of China may use stimulus to support the country's growth. The Shanghai Composite Index climbed 0.3%, while the Hang Seng China Enterprises Index rose 0.6% to its highest level in three months.
Emerging-market equities increased on Wednesday trading session rising towards the highest level in four months as the gains were led by technology companies on China's signals that the government may support the economy by financial aid. The MSCI Emerging Markets Index jumped as much as 0.5% to 1,016.40 as of 11:26 a.m. London time.
Industrial output in Greece increased in February rising for the third successive month and at the fastest rate in sixteen months, the latest figures showed by the Hellenic Statistical Authority unveiled on Wednesday. The country's industrial production advanced on an annual basis by 1.7% in February after growing by 1.1% in the prior month.
New Zealand's credit card spending in retail remained unchanged in March missing economists' projections of an advance, a data published by the Statistics New Zealand unveiled on Wednesday. According to the data, the country's credit card spending in retail sector stayed flat in March following previous month's gain of 0.8%, while total card spending slipped 0.2%.
The negative trade balance of the U.K. decreased slightly in February of the current year, as a fall in imports was stronger than a decrease in exports. The gap slipped to 9.1 billion pounds, down from 9.5 billion pounds in January. Exports went down 1.6%, while imports plunged 2.2%. Aircraft imports slid 46% month-on-month and was the largest contributor to
Exports in the Europe's largest economy dropped in February falling by more than economists initially estimated, whereas imports advanced for the second straight month, the statistical office Destatis reported on Wednesday. Germany's exports slid 1.3% in the first month of 2014 compared to 0.5% slide originally forecast, while imports gained 0.4% in January.
The government of Sweden raised its predictions for economic growth in the country for current year, as now economy is expected to add 2.7% thid year and 3.3% in 2015, after the 1.5% advance during the previous year. At the same time, budget forecasts see a balance between revenues and spending in 2016, while in 2018 the government plans to
South Korean unemployment decreased in March with the jobless rate falling significantly on the month, a report unveiled by the Statistics Korea showed on Wednesday. According to the report, the nation's jobless rate fell from February's level of 3.9% to 3.5% in the following month, while economists originally expected the figure to record 3.6%.
Home loans in Australia increased in February with the total number of new loans for homes rising by 2.3% on a sequential basis standing at 52,460, a report unveiled by the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed on Wednesday. According to the report, the nation's new loan figure exceeded forecast of a 1.5% growth after staying flat in January.
Australia's consumer confidence slightly advanced in the month of April following previous drops, however the figure stayed below a level of 100 signalling optimism in the sentiment, a report released by the Westpac Bank showed on Wednesday. According to the report, the country's consumer sentiment added 0.3% to 99.7 in April after falling 0.7% in the month before.
The Central Bank of Sweden announced no changes in the monetary policy after its meeting on Wednesday, pointing on economic recovery in the country, which may lead to increase in prices and decrease risks of deflation. The decision to keep the rate at 0.75% level was in line with economists' forecasts. As expected, the average interest rate will reach 0.73%
Wall Street closed lower on Tuesday session snapping a three-day period of drops as investors purchased internet companies and social media as the previous fall seemed to excessive. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index added 0.38% to 1,851.96, the Dow Jones industrial average rose 0.06% to 16,256.14 and the Nasdaq Composite Index jumped 0.81% to 4,112.986.
A leading economic index in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development area continued to grow, however the index in emerging markets eased in February, a report revealed by the OECD showed this week. According to the report, the OECD composite leading index remained at a level of 100.7 in February as the growing trend returned in Japan.
The European currency mostly increased on Wednesday trading session rising against the Japanese Yen amid signs that the European Central Bank is ready to support the economy by further bond purchases as soon as the inflation slow again. The Euro advanced as much as 0.2% to 140.68 yen and it was flat versus the U.S. Dollar at $1.3798.
The U.S. Dollar rebounded on Wednesday trading session rising against the Japanese Yen after it recorded the largest drop in a seven-month period as the Bank of Japan Governor signaled that there is no need for more stimulus. The so-called Greenback added as much as 1% to 102.05 yen today following a slide to 101.55 yesterday.
Over past 15 years, more than 250 financial institutions concentrated their business in the City of London, however, their activity in Britain may be under threat if the country votes for leaving the EU in 2017. As announced, a lot of big banks may move their main European operations either to Paris or to Frankfurt after the year 2017. 84%
U.K. shares gained for the first day out of last three as advances in bank stocks outperformed declines in commodity producers. The FTSE 100 Index added 0.4% to 6,616.3 as of 8:38 a.m. London timer; however, the equity-benchmark has fallen 3.7% since approaching the highest level in 14 years on February 24. The FTSE All-Share Index rose 0.4%, while Ireland's
Gold traded near the highest level in two weeks as the U.S. Fed will release its latest minutes from its previous March meeting today. The yellow metal for immediate delivery increased 0.4% to $1,314.06 an ounce and traded at $1,312.05 as of 1:15 p.m. Singapore time. Bullion for June delivery climbed 0.3% to $1,312.90 an ounce in New York.
European shares climbed, after region's stocks posted their first two consecutive day losses in almost a month. The Stoxx Europe 600 Index rose 0.2% to 334.51 as of 8:08 a.m. London time; however, the equity-benchmark has retreated 1.4% from the highest level in six years approached on April 4. The gauge has climbed 1.9% in 2014.
Asian shares outside Japan gains, with the regional equity-benchmark set for the highest close in almost six months on consumer companies' increase. The MSCI Asia Pacific excluding Japan Index added 0.9% to 481.97 at 2:21 p.m. Hong Kong time. Japan's Topix index slipped 2.1% as nation's currency was at 102.03 per Dollar, pushing exporters lower.