Merchandise trade balance in Norway increased in the first month of 2014 recording the highest trade surplus all-time in a month, the latest data published by the Statistics Norway showed on Tuesday. According to the report, the country's merchandise trade surplus totaled 48.79 billion NOK in January from 34.40 billion NOK in January 2013.
House prices in the United Kingdom advanced in the last month of 2013 with the pace of growth missing economists' projections but being faster than in November, a report revealed by the Office for National Statistics showed on Tuesday. U.K.'s residential property prices gained 5.5% on an annual basis in December after rising by 5.4% in November.
Jobless rate in city state Hong Kong slipped marginally in the three months to January, the latest data unveiled by the Census and Statistics Department revealed on Tuesday. According to the data, the nation's unemployment rate decreased 3.1% in the period from November to January, while in October-December quarter it recorded drop of 3.2%.
Factory gate inflation in the United Kingdom weakened at the beginning of 2014, however the pace of drop was lower than economists originally expected, a report published by the Office for National Statistics revealed on Tuesday. According to the report, the U.K. output inflation added 0.9% in January following a December's advance by 1%.
The Australian currency weakened on Tuesday trading session falling from the highest level in four weeks against its U.S. counterpart after the People's Bank of China signaled it may apply tighten monetary policy in order to control the economic slowdown of local economy. The so-called Aussie fell to $0.9030, down from one month high at $0.9079.
The Japanese currency declined on Tuesday session falling towards the lowest level in almost three weeks versus the U.S. Dollar and the 18-nation bloc currency after the Bank of Japan maintain the current level of monetary easing and extended its lending program supporting the economy. The Yen slipped to 102.55 per U.S. Dollar and was last seen at 140.64 a
Global shares increased on Tuesday trading session mainly due to a notable advance by Japanese equities after the country's national bank added more stimulus in order to support the local economy weakening the Yen. The MSCI World Equity Index gained 0.2% and was last traded 0.4% of its highest level this year.
Investor confidence in the largest economy of the Eurozone plunged unexpectedly for the second consecutive month in February, pointing on weak recovery in the whole region, which negatively influences German economy as well. The appropriate index from ZEW Center in Mannheim dropped to 55.7 points, down from 61.7 points in January. Experts awaited it to fall slightly to 61.5 points.
Positive trade balance of Italy surprisingly climbed in December of the previous year, as exports surged much more than imports. The overall surplus reached as much has 3.6 billion euro, up from 2.3 billion euro in December 2012. Exports added 4.9% on the annual basis and 5.1% month-on-month. Imports, in turn, rose only 0.6% year-on-year, comparing with a 3.6% increase
The consumer price index in the United Kingdom dropped unexpectedly in the first month of this year, reaching 1.9% on the annual basis from 2% a month ago. Economists, however, predicted no changes in the CPI Index. On a monthly basis, prices decreased 0.6%. The biggest decline was registered in prices of alcohol, DVD's, entry fees in museums and household
Current account surplus of the Eurozone plummeted in January of this year, but the value was better than analysts predicted it to reach before. The European Central Bank data showed a surplus decline to 21.3 billion euro, down from a revised 23.3 billion euro positive balance in December. Economists, in turn, expected the current account surplus to drop to 21
Total foreign direct investment into Chinese economy jumped 16.1% in January of the current year from a year ago, reaching the highest pace of rise since October 2011, confirming that country's economy is still very strong. Investment amount increased to $10.76 billion, however, more than 50% of it went into the service industry, while investment into manufacturing dropped 21.7%.
Car sales in Europe increased for a fifth month in row in January of this year, as economic recovery continues in the region, pushing demand for long-term goods up. Total registrations inched up 5.2% on the annual basis to 967,800 units. In December, sales added 13%. Volkswagen sales surged 8.2%, while Renault deliveries climbed 13%. Peugeot followed with a 6.9%
According to the Bloomberg survey results, 19 out of 38 economists predict the ECB to ease the monetary policy further, with a possible decrease of the main interest rate from current 0.25%. At the same time, the Eurozone's economy showed signs of more impetuous recovery with GDP rising more than forecasted. Due to this fact, the remaining part of analysts
The government of India presented a 2014-2015 fiscal year budget, with the deficit is planning to reach the lowest value in seven years. As expected, military spending will increase, while taxes on mobile phones, television sets and cars are planned to decline. Therefore, the deficit will drop to 4.1% of GDP, down from 4.6% this year. Meanwhile, Indian general election
House prices in Germany jumped the most in more than ten years during the year 2013 due to low interest rates, which motivated investors to put money into real estate instead of bonds. Prices were up 4% on the annual basis. While investors look for a possibility to make a profitable investment, they tend to buy property in big cities,
The British currency gained to the highest level in about four years versus the U.S. Dollar after nation's industry report indicated that house prices grew this month. The Sterling appreciated 0.2% to $1.6780 as of 7:47 a.m. in London, after climbing to $1.6823, the highest level in more than four years. Moreover, the currency advanced 0.1% to 81.66 pence per
The Australian Dollar gained to the strongest level in approximately a month as China stated that new credit reached record high in January, indicating that nation's economy will maintain positive momentum. The Aussie added 0.2% to 90.56 U.S. cents at 5:09 p.m. Sydney time and reached 90.69, the strongest level since January 13, while it was little changed at 92.01
Japan's Topix index gained, halting a two-day retreat, as positive U.S. consumer confidence countered Japan's disappointing data as its economy missed forecasts in the fourth quarter. The Topix added 0.7% to 1,192.05 at the close, after declining 1% earlier. The Nikkei 225 Stock Average climbed 0.6% to 14,393.11.
European shares climbed after posting their biggest one-week advance this year, while U.S. stock-index futures and Asian stocks advanced. The Stoxx Europe 600 Index added 0.4% to 334.71 as of 10:21 a.m. London time. Standard & Poor's 500 Index futures increased 0.2%, and the MSCI Asia Pacific Index rose 0.7%.
Government bonds of Italy jumped along with Portuguese and Spanish securities, as analysts think that a new Matteo Renzi's government will accelerate the pace of economic reforms. Experts see that Renzi will probably be more active than Enrico Letta was. On these news, 10-year Italian yields fell 0.04% to 3.64%, reaching the lowest level since February 2006.
Precious metals mostly increased on Monday session with silver heading towards the longest winning streak since 1968 after a government report showed that China's bank lending rose spurring demand for commodities. Silver for February delivery gained 2.2% to $21.9791 an ounce, platinum jumped 0.5% to $1,434.25 an ounce and palladium added 0.6% to $742 an ounce.
Gold increased on Monday trading session rising towards the highest figures in over three months after demand for safe-haven assets was boosted by speculation that the world's largest economy may recover slower. Bullion for settlement in February gained 0.9% to $1,330.03 an ounce, the strongest level since October 31, and was last seen at $1,326.25 as of 3:21 p.m. Singapore
Natural gas trade in New York advanced on Monday extending it's the first weekly increase in a four-week period after jumping by 9.2% last week as extremely cold weather moved to the U.S. Northeast. Natural gas for settlement in March climbed 4.7% to $5.458 a million British thermal units and was last seen at $5.436 as of 3:12 p.m. in