Dutch trade surplus was €0.4 billion lower from the last year to €3.6 billion in September, the Netherlands Bureau of Statistics announced on Monday. Export of goods slipped by 1% to €35.1 billion in one month on the annual basis, but the shipment volume increased by 2% comparing with a previous year. Imports rose by 1% to €31.5 billion with
Crude oil futures for December settlement were 14 cents lower to $85.93 a barrel during Asia trading hours on Monday. The price consolidates after the last two days gains, as the recent data showed that China's export growth and oil purchases reached the highest level in the last five months. However, markets are also concerned about the Japan's economy, as
The Stoxx 600 Index dropped 0.2% to 269.73 points in early London trading session on Monday. Equity market were slightly changed after the Greece parliament approved the country's next year budget, but ,however, euro-area ministers have a meeting this evening in Brussels, where the agreement on the fresh 31.5 billion euros loans to Greece will be the main issue.
The yen lost against the majority of its trading peers, as GDP data showed Japan's economy shrank in the third quarter. The currency was gaining versus euro the last three days after the BOJ showed its position of remaining distant from Japan's target of 1% inflation. The yen eased 0.2% to 101.26 per euro, surging from Friday's 101.05. The Japanese currency stayed little changed at 79.51
Farm commodities apart from sugar dropped on Friday amid broadly stronger US Dollar and upward revisions of the global crop estimates. Meanwhile, global economic uncertainty continued to weight on demand prospects.Wheat was the top-loser after the USDA raised its forecast on the US ending stocks to 1774.18 million tonnes, above market consensus. However, an expected drop in Ukraine exports limited
Japan's economy shrank in the three months through September as anti-Japan protests in china and world economic slowdown hurt nation's export, whereas domestic consumption was subdued. GDP shrank an annualized 3.5% in the third quarter, putting pressure on the government to add stimulus measures to prop up economic growth.
Energy futures except for natural gas extended gains on Friday amid positive US data releases. US preliminary consumer confidence reading beat forecasts, reaching five-year high. Moreover, slightly better-than-expected Chinese industrial production data lifted the commodity group. Crude oil rallied as positive US consumer confidence data fuelled hopes for stronger energy demand. However, broadly stronger US Dollar as well as persistent
Asian stocks declined, with the regional benchmark index set for the lowest close in a month, after Japan's economy contracted. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index fell 0.2% to 121.06. Japan's Nikkei 225 Stock Average declined 0.7%, as data showed GDP contracted an annualized 3.5% in Q3. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 Index slipped 0.1%, South Korea's Kospi Index slid 0.3% and Taiwan's
Industrial metals fell on Friday as weak industrial production figures from France and Italy coupled with mounting concerns over the US fiscal cliff created heavy pressure on the commodity group. Meanwhile, investors were cautious ahead of the Greek budget vote due on November 10.Aluminum shed 0.21% on global economic fears and elevated inventories at Shanghai and LME-monitored warehouses.Copper plummeted as
The Australian Dollar gained, trimming a 3-day loss, on speculation the interest rates will not decline if a wage report is positive this week. The Aussie strengthened 0.3% from the previous week to $1.0418 and advanced 0.3% to 82.82 yen. Australia's currency touched $1.0480 on November 7, the strongest level since September 21. The kiwi rose 0.3% to 81.60 U.S.
Precious metals were mixed on Friday amid broadly stronger US Dollar and hopes for further easing measures in the US as Barack Obama was re-elected for the second term. Meanwhile, fears over the US fiscal cliff as well as uncertainty over Greece created strong pressure on the commodity group.Gold inched down as solid greenback outweighed speculation that the US will
The Yuan advanced the most since October as report showed the fastest export growth in five months and the central bank raised the reference rate. China's currency rose to the highest level in 19 years, touching the upper limit of the permitted trading band around the central bank's daily fixing. The Yuan gained 0.26% to 6.2291 per U.S. Dollar, the
The Euro traded 0.3% from the lowest level in two months ahead of European finance chiefs' meeting today to discuss a programme to keep Greek solvency. The common currency traded at $1.2731 from $1.2714 on November 9, when the Euro touched $1.2690, the weakest level since September 7. The Euro fetched 101.17 yen from 101.05.
Asian currencies gained throughout this week, as Obama's victory in the presidential election improved the likelihood of increasing the supply for the U.S. Dollar. Chinese yuan has been advancing for 14 consecutive weeks on expectations for government to introduce more monetary stimulus to boost up the inflation. The Taiwan Dollar gained 0.5% this week to NT$29.150 versus dollar, while South Korean won, Thailand's baht and
According to data published by Hellenic Statistical Authority, Greece industrial output dropped in September, retreating from its gain in August. The industrial production index showed the biggest decrease since March and lost 7.3% year-on-year, after a 2.7% rally in August. Manufacturing production slid 6.9%, whereas mining production fell 1%. Meanwhile, utilities supply, such as, electricity and water, were the top losers by tumbling 11.9% and 1.4%.
German shares plunged in risk-off Friday's session. Market players remained cautious amid growing uncertainty over fiscal cliff in the US and worries over whether Greece will receive financial aid. On Friday, German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble stated that may be too early to grant the next tranche of the bailout to Greece. The DAX Index dropped 1.55% and is currently
UK equities declined, heading for the largest weekly slump in two months amid lingering concerns over the US fiscal cliff. Moreover, rising worries over whether Greece will get a new tranche of the bailout added to losses of the UK equities. German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble said that it may be too early to grant more aid to Greece. However,
Hong Kong stocks dipped on Friday amid mounting concerns that the government will not implement additional reforms to stimulate slowing economy. The market sentiment was also dampened by on-going worries over the US fiscal cliff. However, upbeat China's economic reports limited losses of the equities. China's industrial production and retail sales growth jumped more than expected in September. The Hang
On Friday, the 17-nation currency hit a 1-month low versus the Japanese Yen, U.S. Dollar amid losses in Eurozone growth prospects and uncertainty over Spain's and Greece's bailouts. The Euro declined by 0.2%, reaching a level of 100.99 Yen. Elsewhere, it fell by 0.1% versus the greenback to trade at $1.2733, which was close to a 2-month low of $1.2717.
Consumer confidence advanced more than expected this month touching the highest level in five years on improving labor market in the U.S. The consumer sentiment index rallied to 84.9 in November, compared with the prior month's reading of 82.6. The index showed the fourth biggest improvement since July 2007, as it was forecast to stay at 82.9 for this month. The sentiment of Americans is
On Friday, British 10-year government notes were growing on speculation that the U.K. central bank will extend its loose monetary policy to stimulate the economy, amid a drop in equity markets. The yield on benchmark 10-year gilts lost 6 basis points and reached a level of 1.71% by 11:05 a.m. in London. 10-year bonds were likely end the week with
On Friday, German government notes were higher, pushing yield to a 2-month low on disappointing data from France, which showed a fall in business confidence and industrial production. The yield on benchmark 10-year bonds slipped 4 basis points to 1.33% by 10:46 a.m. in London. German 2-year bonds witnessed a yield of minus 0.038%, after hitting a level of minus
On Friday, treasuries were advancing on speculation that U.S. lawmakers will not be able to agree on how to avoid fiscal cliff, which can possibly lead to a recession in the country. The yield on benchmark 10-year yields decreased 3 basis points, reaching a level of 1.59% by 6:19 a.m. New York time. During this week, the yield experienced a
The Italy's statistical office reported on Friday that the country's industrial output extended a 13 month long streak of losses. Year over year, Italian industrial production fell by 4.8% in September compared to a 5.2% decline in the preceding month. Analysts, however, expected a more moderate decrease with a reading of minus 4.7%.