Investor confidence in Germany unexpectedly decreased in January of this year for the first time since July, pointing on the moderate perspectives of country's economy. The ZEW economic sentiment index dropped to 61.7 points in January versus 62 points a month ago, while economists predicted a rise to 64 points. The Index aims to forecast the economic development for next
The government of Sweden may change already in September of this year, as parliamentary elections approach. Despite the significant decrease in taxes, the current conservative government has not enough support to win the elections. Since 2006, they managed to keep the budget deficit lower than 3% of GDP, however, the jobless rate of 8% is the highest in Scandinavia.
Alstom SA, the largest French producer of power equipment and trains, announced cuts of a forecast concerning the operating profit margin for the current year, as sales of power equipment drop. Now, Alstom expects the operating profit to be 7% from sales, while the previous forecast was 7.2%. Based on these news, Alstom SA shares are today plunging 11.4% to
Consumer price index in Hong Kong remained unchanged in December of the previous year, comparing with a month before, as the result matched analysts' predictions at 4.3% on the annual basis. Meanwhile, in October-December quarter inflation reached 1.1%. The CPI was mostly affected by a 4.1% increase in food prices, while housing costs added 5.9% and transportation became 2.6% more
European shares advanced on Tuesday trading session with the benchmark index Europe Stoxx 600 rising after reaching its six-year peak as the People's Bank of China injected funds to the local financial system. Euro Stoxx 50 Index futures expiring in March jumped 0.5% to 3,166 as of 7:15 a.m. London time, while the FTSE 100 Index added 0.4%.
Natural gas traded in New York declined on Tuesday trading session falling for the second straight day after the trading floor was closed yesterday due to a national holiday of Martin Luther King Jr. Natural gas for February settlement dropped 2.8% to $4.203 a million British thermal units on the NYMEX and were last seen at $4.313 as of 3:30
The European benchmark Brent crude declined on Tuesday as hedge fund managers reduced bullish bets on the commodity, according to the data published by the ICE Futures exchange, the second weekly cut of net long positions. Brent for March delivery fell 7 cents to $106.28 per barrel on the London's ICE Futures Europe exchange.
West Teas Intermediate oil declined on Tuesday trading session on speculation that fuel demand in China, the world's second largest oil consumer, may be reduced as the country's economy eased in the last quarter of 2013. WTI for settlement in March dropped 94 cents to $93.65 per barrel on the NYMEX and was last seen at $94.26 as of 2:32
U.S. Treasuries declined on Tuesday completing a three-week increase, their longest streak of gains since September, amid speculation that the economic recovery of the country may have gained its momentum after demand for bonds improved. The benchmark 10-year government bonds added two basis points to 2.84% by 6:52 a.m. London time.
The Japanese currency declined on Tuesday falling against the majority of its most-traded peers after the Bank of Japan began its policy meeting possibly bringing more stimulus this year as it cancelled its plans to increase sales-tax. The Yen slipped 0.3% to 104.53 a U.S. Dollar as of 6:47 a.m. London time and it fell 0.3% to 141.64 a Euro
Japanese stocks advanced on Tuesday trading session led by exporting companies after the Bank of Japan started its two-day policy meeting and as investors awaited for an result of the meeting as the corporate tax rate may be cut. The region's benchmark index gained 0.2% to 1,295.95 in Tokyo, while the Nikkei 225 Index surged 1% to 15,795.96.
Jobless rate in Finland advanced on an annual basis in the last month of 2013 rising more than economists originally forecast, the latest figures published by the Statistics Finland showed on Tuesday. According to the report, Finland's unemployment rate jumped 7.9% in December after rising 6.9% in the same month of 2012, when the total number of people without job
Inflation measure as consumer price index in New Zealand increased on a sequential basis in the last quarter of 2013 rising above economists' expectations and suggesting that the Reserve Back may raise interest rates soon, the Statistics New Zealand reported on Tuesday. The country's consumer price index added 0.1% in the Q4 compared to a 0.9% drop initially forecast.
A leading economic index in South Africa decreased on a monthly basis in November mainly due to a drop in the 6-month real money supply growth rate and residential building plans, a report published by the South African Reserve Back showed on Tuesday. According to the report, the country's leading index fell 0.2% on the month, while the composite coincidence
The New Zealand's currency advanced on Tuesday trading session after a report showed that the country's inflation increase by more than economists originally expected last month suggesting that the Reserve Bank may raise interest rates soon. The so-called Kiwi traded at $0.8324 as the central bank may lift rates on the next week's policy meeting.
Swiss Franc watchers are divided on the date when the Swiss National Bank lifts the ceiling on the country's currency, a survey published by the Bloomberg News showed on Tuesday. According to the survey, 7 out of 20 economists predict that the 1.20 francs a euro cap may be raised in 2015, while another seven sees the central bank lifting
The British Sterling strengthened on Tuesday rising towards the highest level in two weeks against the euro-area currency before a report showed that business confidence in the United Kingdom jumped to the strongest level in twenty years in November-January quarter. The Pound added 0.1% to 82.44 pence a Euro by 7:43 a.m. in London.
The U.S. currency held firm against the Japanese Yen on Tuesday and it is approaching a possible resistance level at 104.92 yen after the U.S. Federal Reserve signaled that it may cut its bond-purchasing program further on a policy meeting next week. The so-called Greenback added 0.5% to 104.65 yen and traded close to its one-week high reached on January
The majority of Asian stocks increased on Tuesday trading session led by Japanese equities and as money rates in China eased after economic data from the U.S. signaled that the Federal Reserve may trim its stimulus as soon as next week. The MSCI Asia-Pacific gauge outside Japan advanced 0.5% as the benchmark Japan's stock index Nikkei 225 added 1.5%.
German shares slipped, after the benchmark DAX Index had its biggest one-week climb in approximately a month, as Deutsche Bank AG fell after posting its quarterly report that missed the expectations. The DAX slid 0.4% to 9,708.86 as of 2:10 p.m. Frankfurt time; however, it advanced 2.9% past week as the World Bank raised its global growth forecast.
Vacant job in the U.S. rose to a five-year high in November, as the labor market gained before the deceleration in the last month of 2013. The number of job openings rose by 70,000 reaching 4 million, the highest level in five years, comparing with October's 3.93 million revise. The faster is a hiring pace, the more income gains that is needed to enhance consumer
Malaysia's Ringgit declined to the weakest level in four month since Chinese data, the state's biggest export market, showed the deceleration. The Ringgit depreciated 0.4% to 3.3090 against the U.S. Dollar from January 16 at 10:15 a.m. after touching 3.3135, the lowest level in four months. The Ringgit also dropped against most of its 11 Asia's traded peers.
Emerging-market shares dropped for a third straight day after China's factory output and business spending missed estimates. The MSCI Emerging Markets Index slid 0.3% to 969.88 as of 4:03 p.m. Hong Kong time and it is set for the lowest level since January 9. The equity-benchmark has retreated 3.3%, while the MSCI World Index has fallen 0.3% this year to
The U.S. Dollar advanced to the highest level in eight weeks versus the 18-nation currency on speculation that the Fed will keep scaling back its stimulus as nation's economy improves. The greenback added 0.1% to $1.3557 per Euro at 9:46 a.m. London time, after strengthening to $1.3508, the highest level since November 25. The Dollar traded at 104.19 Yen after