The Standard & Poor's rating agency decided to remove the Portuguese sovereign credit rating from the status of being revised in the nearest future, meaning that the risk of rating's change is falling. It is worth pointing out that the country plans to exit the EU bailout program. Therefore, the long-term BB rating will be most likely kept for a
Germany's government bunds advanced on Friday session heading for the third weekly increase after the rating agency Standard & Poor's removed debt rating of Portugal from creditwatch affirming the BB rating, while Netherland's top grade was retained at AAA. The benchmark 10-year yields dropped one basis point to 1.77% by 7:23 a.m. in London.
Emerging-market shares rose on Friday with the benchmark region's index heading for a weekly gain mainly due to an increase of technology companies as Neway Valve added 43% on its debut on China's stock exchange. The MSCI Emerging Markets Index gained 0.1% to 975.60 by 2:08 p.m. Honk Kong time extending the weekly advance to 0.6%.
The European benchmark crude Brent slipped on Friday trading session after a report released by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries showed that the area's production declined by 20,000 barrels per day in December. Brent for settlement in March fell one cent to a level of $105.74 a barrel on the London's ICE Futures Europe exchange.
The U.S. Dollar increased on Friday rising against the 18-nation bloc currency and was set to record the largest weekly gain versus its major peers in a two-month period before the Richmond's Federal Reserve President testifies today. The Greenback last traded at $1.3619 a Euro and it advanced this week by 0.4%, while it traded at 104.34 yen.
The majority of European shares increased on Friday with the local benchmark index heading towards its second weekly gain before a reports from the U.S. showed that the world's largest economy is improving. The Stoxx Europe 600 Index gained 0.2% to 334.76 as of 8:11 a.m. London time with three stocks rising for every one falling.
West Texas Intermediate oil advanced on Friday heading for its first weekly increase since December on speculation that incoming manufacturing and labour market data today may signal that the economy gained its momentum. WTI for delivery next month rose 31 cents to $94.27 per barrel on the NYMEX as of 3:45 p.m. Singapore time.
Consumer confidence in the Asia's second largest economy declined surprisingly in the month of December, a report published by the Cabinet Office showed on Friday. According to the report, the Japanese consumer confidence index decreased from November's level of 42.5 to 41.3 in the following month, while it was forecast to grow to 43.
The Australian currency weakened on Friday falling against the U.S. Dollar and the Japanese Yen after data from the labour market showed unfavourable results pushing the Aussie towards the lowest level in three-and-a-half year. The Australian Dollar shed 0.2% to $0.8804 after slipping 1% yesterday, while it slid 0.2% to 91.78 yen and it traded at A$1.5460 per Euro.
The U.S. currency declined on Friday falling against the majority of its most-traded peers after a report showed that consumer price inflation missed the Federal Reserve's target suggesting that it may keep the rates low. The U.S. Dollar index measuring its performance against basket of major currencies lost 0.1% and was last seen at 80.93.
Wall Street shares closed lower on Thursday trading session with the benchmark indexes Standard & Poor's 500 and the Dow Jones falling from their record highs reached the session before as banks from Goldman Sachs to Citigroup showed disappointment reports. The Dow Jones industrial average shed 0.39% to 16,417.01, the S&P 500 Index lost 0.13% to 1,845.89 and the Nasdaq
Asian stocks rebounded on Friday trading session rising from their recent lows after shares on Wall Street declined amid speculation that economic data released today may signal that the world's largest economy is improving. The MSCI broadest Asia-Pacific gauge outside Japan swung between gains and losses with falling 0.2% and erasing this loss later on the session, while the Australian
First-time claims for unemployment benefits in the world's largest economy recorded a notable decline in the week ended on January 11 and dropped to the lowest level in four weeks, a report published by the Labor Department showed on Thursday. The U.S. jobless claims slipped by 2,000 from 328,000 to a level of 326,000 last week.
U.K. shares fluctuated on Thursday trading session led by miming companies offsetting decrease in Vodafone Group Plc. As the local benchmark index FTSE 100 reaching the strongest level since May yesterday. The FTSE 100 Index traded at 6,819.57 as of 10:54 a.m. London time and it surged 1.9% in the last four sessions as the U.S. jobless rate declined.
The British Sterling weakened on Thursday session falling for the first time in a three0day period against the Euro after the economic surprise index released by Citigroup Inc. dropped to the weakest level in six weeks. The Pound fell 0.2% to $1.6334 as of 12:45 p.m. in London following a slide to #1.6315, the least since December 25, and it
Natural gas futures traded in New York rose on Thursday trading session rebounding from yesterday's decline on speculation that inventories in the U.S. dropped the most all-time as arctic weather hit the U.S. last week. Natural gas for February settlement increased 2.8% to $4.445 a million British thermal units on the NYMEX.
The European benchmark Brent crude dropped on Thursday trading session extending its streak of declines as second largest oilfield in Libya, the Africa's biggest holder of oil reserves, started operating again as protesters agreed with government's offer. Brent for delivery in February shed 69 cents to $106.44 per barrel on the London's ICE Futures Europe exchange.
West Texas Intermediate crude increased on Thursday rising towards the highest level in two weeks after inventories in the U.S., the world's biggest consumer of oil, declined by more than economists initially forecast. WTI for delivery next month jumped 47 cents to $94.64 per barrel on the NYMEX and was traded at $94.19 by 1:30 p.m. in London.
European shares fluctuated on Thursday and traded close to the strongest level in six years led by mining companies with Citigroup Inc. rising the most and after a report showed that jobless claims in the U.S. slipped to the lowest level in six weeks. The Stoxx Europe 600 Index declined 0.1% to 334.2 as of 1:36 p.m. London time.
U.S. Treasuries increased on Thursday session after a government report showed that consumer prices in the country advanced 1.5% last year compared to the Federal Reserve's target of 2%. The benchmark 10-year government yield dropped four basis points to 2.86% as of 8:36 a.m. in New York and the price has risen from last year's lowest level of 1.61% recorded
The ECB policy makers decided to make a 6% limit of capital requirement as a percentage from their risky assets for the Eurozone's banks, when the ECB starts its stress-tests later this year. At the same time, such a requirement is higher than 5% implemented by the European Banking Authority. Meanwhile, in case of lack of the capital, the ECB
The consumer price index in the Eurozone decreased to 0.8% in December of the previous year from 0.9% a month ago, matching economists' predictions. At the same time, the inflation level was higher than 0.7% in October. On a monthly basis, prices increased 0.3%. Analysts explain changes by new method of calculating inflation in Germany, while the CPI still remains
The trade balance of Belgium posted a much smaller deficit in November of the last year, comparing with a year ago, as exports jumped and imports dropped. The total negative gap decreased to 0.3 billion euro versus 2 billion euro a year ago. Moreover, in October even a surplus of trade was registered. Exports in November advanced 2.4% annually, while
Car registrations in Europe dropped in 2013, while the total number of new cars sold reached the lowest level since 1995. There were 1.7% less or 11.8 million cars sold during the previous year. At the same time, in December alone they surged 13.3% with the U.K. market remaining the fastest-growing, where sales were up 23.8%. Spain sales were up