Asian currencies set for a fourth weekly advance amid optimism that the world's economy is recovering. The Baht headed for the biggest weekly gain since 2011 and fetched 29.72 per U.S. Dollar yesterday, the highest level in 17 months. India's Rupee climbed to 54.20 per greenback, a one-month high, while Taiwan's Dollar rose 0.3% this week to NT$28.94 versus the
New Zealand consumer prices declined last quarter, which was against economists' expectations of a 0.1% rise, on cheaper imports and sluggish economy, paving the way for the nation's central bank to extend a period of low interest rates. Consumer prices fell 0.2% from the previous quarter, when they increased 0.3%, according to Statistics New Zealand.
German shares were slightly changed as they traded close to their two-week high as growth in the world's second largest economy increased its pace of growth the first since 2010. Growth in the nation revived. The DAX index advanced 0.1% to 7,738.48. The index has gained 1.6% this year. Commerzbank AG advanced the most by 2.17% as an index
Hong Kong shares advanced after Chinese economic reports showed the nation has snapped the declining economic growth which throughout the last seven quarters. The Hang Seng index closed up 1.1% at 23,601.8, showing its highest level since June 2011. Growth-sensitive groups, such as banks, were among the best performing benchmark indices. All sectors edged higher with oil and gas shares
Japanese stocks reversed their previous losses this week and edged higher after reports showed the economic data in China improved and U.S. economy showed some positive signs with improving housing and less jobless claims. In addition, the Yen traded close to is lowest level in 30 months. The Nikkei Stock Average rallied 2.9% and reached its highest level in more
U.S. blue chips advanced as U.S. housing starts rose 12.1% to 954,000 in December to 954,000 on annual basis and the number of unemployment claimants dropped by 37,000 to 330,000, the lowest level since January 2008, last week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced 0.6% to 13,596.02. All but one sector gained in the index. Intel Corp. shares surged 2.6%,
Australia's and New Zealand's Dollars strengthened to the highest level against the Japanese Yen in more than 4 years as Japan's currency weakened on speculation policymakers will push the Yen down further to stimulate economic growth. The Australian Dollar advanced 1.4% to 94.79 yen yesterday and touched 95.02 yen, the highest since August 2008. The Kiwi rose 1.1% to 75.16
The Shanghai Composite Index was higher by 1.4% to 2,317.07 points on the Asian trading session on Friday, extending the weekly gains to 3.3%. That was the largest weekly increase this year, as the domestic data showed better-than-expected economic growth in the fourth quarter. The GDP increased by 7.9% in Q4 and retail sales surged by 15.2% in December.
Rural commodities except for coffee retreated on Thursday despite improved risk-appetite among investors after upbeat US data. Grains dropped even despite supportive USDA weekly report. At the same time, concerns over ample global supplies continued to weight on softs.Wheat halted its rally despite bullish reading of the USDA report on weekly export sales. US sold more than 570,000 tonnes of
Energy futures were bullish on Thursday on positive US housing and employment data. US jobless claims dropped more than expected last week while housing starts soared by 12.1% in December, beating forecasts of a 4.6% increase. Crude oil continued to gain inspiration from falling US inventories. The EIA reported on Wednesday that US stockpiles dropped by 0.9 million barrels compared
Industrial metals advanced on Thursday despite an unexpected contraction of manufacturing activity in Philadelphia region. Base metals complex found support on better-than-expected numbers from the US job and housing market. Meanwhile, market players continued to anticipate Chinese data releases due on Friday.Aluminum climbed, tracking gains of the US equities. However, the upswing was limited by bloated LME inventories. LME stocks
Precious metals jumped for the fourth session in a row amid broadly softer US Dollar and weak manufacturing data from the US. Philadelphia region's manufacturing activity unexpectedly contracted in January, boosting hopes for additional stimulus from the Fed. However, upbeat data from the US labour and housing market limited gains of the commodity group.Gold climbed, being supported by weaker US
U.S. shares accelerated on Thursday, with the S&P 500 reaching its highest intraday level in five years as optimism was brought to the market after a data showed decline in jobless benefits claims and a residential construction gain in December. The benchmark S&P 500 Index climbed 0.43% to 1,478.99, the Dow Jones industrial average added 0.46% to 13,572.72 and the
Manufacturing activity in the Philadelphia area decreased notably in the first month of 2013 as companies are becoming more concerned about the U.S. government spending abroad which could have a negative impact on economic growth. The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia's general economic index fell from 4.6 in December to minus 5.8 in January, where reading below zero is used as a sign of
U.S. weekly fillings for unemployment benefits declined to its lowest level in five years as a sign of recovering domestic economy and labor market, the Labor Department reported on Thursday. Initial jobless claims for state benefits declined 37,000 and fell to a seasonally adjusted 335,000 the lowest figure since January 2008, and created the largest drop in a one-week period
Inflation of producer and import price in Switzerland declined in the last month of 2012, beat the expectation of economists though, when it fell to 1.0% in December from a November's 1.2%, the Federal Statistical Office reported on Thursday. On a monthly basis, the producer and import prices index recorded a modest gain of 0.1% following an unchanged November."Should the
German shares rose after U.S. housing starts climbed more than expected in December, offsetting the weak data for initial unemployment claims. The DAX index advanced 0.76% to 7,749.67. All but one sector increased in the gauge with consumer services rallying the most by 2.1%.HeidelbergCement advanced 2.6% to 46.95 euros to pace gains in the industrial shares that were
U.K. stocks surged as the number of building permits in the U.S. rose at a faster pace than analysts forecast pairing with gains in the stocks of Associated British Foods. The FTSE 100 index increased 0.3% to 6,121.96 by 15:29 GMT. All but three sectors in the index edged higher. Consumer services posted second biggest increase, as Associated British Foods
Hong Kong stocks slid on Thursday, extending their losses for a third straight day as investors closed their positions on growth-sensitive sectors prior tomorrow's data on Chinese economy. The Hang Seng index lost 0.1% to close at 23,339.8 points, declining further from its this high on Monday. However, five out of nine groups edged higher in the gauge with consumer
Japanese stocks climbed today after Nikkei 225 Stock Average fell as much as 2.6% yesterday, the biggest lost in 8 months, as the concerns rose about the currency moves. The Nikkei 225 added 0.1% to 10,609.64 at its close., as the Yen depreciated against its major counterparts. However, only four out of ten groups edged higher. Telecommunications posted the
U.S. blue chips declined after their gains yesterday on growing concerns about the global economy after World Bank forecast it to grow at a slower pace than in 2012. The world's largest economy improved last month, as industrial production extended its gains for a second month and auto and home sales also advanced, offsetting the weak data for unemployment in
Farm commodities apart from sugar advanced on Wednesday, drawing strength from the last week's USDA Wasde report. The sentiment on grains was also underpinned by South America weather concerns. Soil moisture in Argentina, Paraguay and southern Brazil is expected to decline in the next ten days, reported World Weather Inc. Wheat edged higher on worries that dryness in many US
Energy futures were mixed on Wednesday amid rising concerns over global economic recovery after the Word Bank cut its world's growth estimate from 3% to 2.4%. Uncertainty over US debt ceiling dispute also weighed on the market sentiment. Meanwhile, investors awaited the data from the US jobs and housing market due on Thursday.Crude oil rallied after the EIA report indicated
U.S stocks mostly edged lower after gaining yesterday, as the World Bank forecast the global economy to contract in 2013, offsetting an increase in the Apple's shares. The S&P 500 index added less than 0.1% to 1,472.63. All but three sectors declined. Telecommunications shares lost the most by dropping 1.16%, followed by basic materials that erased 0.76%. Northern Trust Corporation