The U.S. Dollar swung between gains and losses on Thursday trading near the lowest level in five years versus its U.K. counterpart amid rising speculation that the Bank of England may tighten its monetary policy measures before the U.S. Fed. The so-called Greenback was last seen at $1.6959 against the Pound, while it added to 101.77 yen.
China's shares advanced on Thursday trading session after a government report showed that the nation's trade balance came in a surplus as exports and imports returned to positive figures in April showing signs of an improvement and as investors bet on further stimulus by the central bank. The CSI 300 Index rose as much as 0.8% on the session.
The European currency fluctuated on Thursday as it traded close to the highest level in two months against the U.S. Dollar before the European Central Bank officials decide whether to maintain interest rates unchanged later today. The Euro strengthened slightly by 0.1% to $1.3917 following an advance towards the strongest level in two months on Tuesday at $1.3952.
The majority of Asian shares increased on Thursday trading session amid dovish comments by the U.S. Federal Reserve officials on current monetary policy and as the world's second largest economy showed trade data signaling stabilization in the country. The MSCI broadest Asia- Pacific gauge outside Japan added 0.5% rebounding from the five-week low, while the Japan's Nikkei 225 gained 0.9%.
The British Sterling increased on Tuesday trading session rising by the most in a four-week period versus its U.S. counterpart after an industry report showed that service sector in the United Kingdom jumped more than projected in April. The Pound strengthened as much as 0.7% to $1.6978 as of 1:07 p.m. in London, the largest advanced since April 8.
Inflation measured as producer price index in Brazil eased in March after recording a month of acceleration, the latest figures revealed by the statistical office IBGE unveiled on Tuesday. According to the report, the country's producer price index climbed by 7.96% on an annual basis in March following February's growth of 8.24% and January's gain of 7.31%.
Private sector activity in France dropped in April mainly due to a slow-down in services and manufacturing production, a report unveiled by the Markit Economics showed on Tuesday. According to the report, the French composite output index slipped to a level of 50.6 points in April after recording 51.8 points in March.
The Spanish service sector rose in April rising at the strongest rate since March 2007 mainly due to a notable gain in new orders, a data unveiled by Markit Economics showed on Tuesday. According to the data, the nation's business activity index for service sector added from 54 points in March to 56.5 in the following month.
Private sector in the 18-nation bloc expanded in April rising for the tenth consecutive month and reaching the strongest level since May 2011, a survey released by the Markit Economics showed on Tuesday. According to the survey, the purchasing managers' index advanced from 53.1 points recorded in March to 54 points in April, the most since 2011.
Service sector in Italy accelerated modestly in April following previous month of contractions, the latest survey revealed by Markit Economics showed on Tuesday. According to the survey, the country's service sector business activity index jumped from a level of 49.5 points in March to 51.1 points in April, with the reading above 50 points signaling expansion.
Trade balance in the world's largest economy came in a deficit in March, however the deficit narrowed by more than economists originally projected as exports rebounded, the latest figure released by the Commerce Department showed on Tuesday. The U.S. trade deficit shrank to 40.4 billion from February's level of $41.9 billion.
Service sector in the Europe's largest economy accelerated in April rising for the eleventh successive month, however the pace of growth was slightly lower than initially projected, a data revealed by the Markit Economics showed on Tuesday. According to the report, the German purchasing managers' index for services jumped from March's 53 points to 54.7 in the following month.
Retail sales in the 18-nation bloc advanced in the month of March as food product sales increased notably supported by strong consumer confidence figures from the first quarter of 2014, a report published by the statistical office Eurostat showed on Tuesday. The Eurozone's retail sales added 0.3% in March following February's growth of 0.1%.
Private sector in the United Arabic Emirates increased in April rising at the fastest pace all-time as new orders and output advanced notable on the month, the latest date released by the HSBC Bank and Markit Economics showed on Tuesday. The nation's non-oil private sector gained from 57.7 points in March to 58.3 in the following month.
The European Central Bank is unlikely to release its decision whether to cut the benchmark interest rates to its record low sooner than Thursday as the bank's policy meeting began today, the President of the ECB said on Tuesday. According to Draghi, the ECB may wait for the latest forecast suggesting whether the inflation level is too low as last
The U.S. Dollar declined on Tuesday trading session falling against the 18-nation bloc currency towards the weakest level in seven weeks after last week's job data in the U.S. were overshadowed by favourable reports from Europe. The so-called Greenback slipped 0.4% to $1.39315 with the U.S. Dollar index slipping to its 6-month low, and it dropped 0.2% to 101.95 yen.
Wall Street futures swung between gains and losses earlier on Tuesday trading session as investors stayed cautious as the benchmark stocks indexes traded near their record highs recorded recently. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index futures added 0.5%, the Dow Jones industrial average futures rose 2 points and the Nasdaq Composite index futures climbed 1 point.
The majority of European equities swung between gains and losses on mild trading on Tuesday before the European Central Bank released its decision whether it maintains the benchmark rates unchanged on Thursday. The London's FTSE 100, the Frankfurt's DAX and the Paris' CAC 40 gauge remained stable following previous gains yesterday, while Spain and Italian markets rose.
The 18-nation bloc currency strengthened on Tuesday trading session amid speculation that the European Central Bank may keep the benchmark interest rate unchanged despite low inflation in the region threatening economists. The Euro jumped against the U.S. Dollar to a level of $1.3926 leaving the $1.3864-$1.3887 range, while it climbed to 141.99 yen.
European equities declined slightly in the morning of Tuesday, as analysts evaluate earnings of the European banking sector. Today, earnings for the first quarter of this year were announced by UBS AG and Barclays Plc banks, with the latter dropping 4.3% amid decrease in profit. By 9:00 GMT in London, the benchmark Stoxx Europe 600 Index lost 0.1% to 336.84
OECD decreased its expectations concerning world economic development this year, pointing on more measures to fight high unemployment. Now, the organization predicts a 3.4% GDP growth in 2014, while the next year it will grow by 3.9%. U.S. economy, in turn, will advance 2.6% and 3.5% in 2014 and 2015, respectively. Eurozone is forecasted to see a 1.2% GDP advance
The Reserve Bank of Australia decided to keep the monetary course unchanged, while the benchmark interest rate remained at 2.5% level. As announced, the inflation pressure in the country decreases. At the same time, government spending cuts give the RBA more space to act in the future. Policy makers decreased the main interest rate by 2.25% since 2011 to avoid
Activity in the service sector of the United Kingdom rose significantly in April of this year, while economists predicted no changes. The benchmark PMI Index for the main sector of country's economy, which account for more than 70% of the GDP, increased to 58.7 points last month versus 57.6 in March. Therefore, economic advance in the country is expected to
U.S. Treasuries advanced on Monday pushing the benchmark 10-year yields towards the weakest level in a three-month period after a report showed that manufacturing sector in China fell more than economists originally expected last month. The U.S. 10-year yields dropped 0.01% to 2.57% as of 6:30 a.m. in New York.