Inflation measured as producer price index in South Korea remained unchanged in the month of March after increased in the February, a report published by the Bank of Korea unveiled on Thursday. According to the report, the South Korean producer price index recorded 0.1% on a sequential basis in March, while year-on-year the prices fell 0.5% in March.
Housing starts in the world's largest economy advanced significantly in March, however the figure remained below economists' expectations, the latest data revealed by the Commerce Department unveiled on Wednesday. The country's housing starts jumped 2.8% on an annual basis in March totaling 970,000 units after recording 920,000 in the month before.
Industrial output in the world's largest economy advanced in March rising by more than economists originally expected as the rate of growth in production gained from the previous month, a report released by the Federal Reserve unveiled on Thursday. The country's industrial production jumped 0.7% in March following a climb by 1.2% in February.
Australia's motor vehicle sales decreased in March with the total figure of new cars sold falling by 0.3% on a monthly basis recording 92,168 units, a report released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics unveiled on Thursday. The report also showed that passenger cars slipped 3.2%, sports utility vehicles fell 4.9% and other vehicles lost 0.9%.
The New Zealand's currency continued to decline on Thursday, however remained steadier after recording a notably drop in the previous session amid reports showing that inflation in the country weakened surprisingly and as diary prices slipped on the month. The so-called Kiwi was last traded at $0.8625 following a drop to $0.8578, the least in a week.
The U.S. Dollar was little changed earlier on Thursday session with the index measuring its performance against the basket of currencies traded below a level of 80 after the Federal Reserve Chairman Janet Yellend signaled that the bank is unlikely to tighten monetary policy soon. The U.S. Dollar index fluctuated at 79.808 as the Greenback traded at $1.3819 versus Euro.
The Japanese currency decreased on Thursday falling against its U.S. counterpart towards the weakest level in one week as demand for safe-haven currencies fell after stocks world-wide notably advanced on Janet Yellen commented the Fed may keep rates low. The Yen fell as much as 0.3% to 102.22 per U.S. Dollar and it was last seen at 141.22 per Euro.
Wall Street closed higher on Wednesday trading session as the benchmark stock indexes rose for the third successive day after the U.S. Federal Reserve Chairwoman Janet Yellen signaled that the central bank may keep rates low in short-term. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index added 1.05% to 1,862.31, the Dow Jones industrial average gained 1% to 162.29 points and the
The majority of Asian-Pacific shares increased on Thursday trading session after the U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Janet Yellen commented that the rate may stay low until inflation in the country gains momentum pushing the Wall Street stocks higher. The MSCI broadest Asia-Pacific gauge outside Japan added 0.33% and the Australian stock index gained 0.5%
The British Sterling reached the highest level in four years against the greenback as the U.K. jobless rate dropped more than forecasted by analysts. The U.K. currency added 0.4% to $1.6801 as of 10:36 a.m. in London, after advancing to $1.6823 on February 17, the strongest since November 2009. The currency climbed 0.2%, making it the third straight day of
Credit Suisse Group AG, one of the largest banks in Switzerland, announced a considerable 34% decline in profit for the January-March period of 2014, as income in its investment division plummeted. Net profit reached 859 million francs after 1.3 billion francs a year ago. Today, Credit Suisse Group AG shares are slumping 1.4% to 27.45 francs per share by 9:30
The positive balance of Eurozone's current account fell sligthly in February of the current year, although the indicator still shows very good results. The surplus reached 21.9 billion euro versus record 25.4 billion euro in January. As official data shows, positive balance in trade of goods rose to 15.8 billion euro, however, surplus in services dropped to 11.3 billion euro
Economic growth in China slowed in the forst three months of this year, however increasing more than forecasted by analysts. GDP added 7.4% on the annual basis after a 7.7% expansion in the previous three-months period. Economists predicted a 7.3% econonomic advance. Among industries, primary sector rose 3.5%, secondary sector increased 7.3% year-on-year, while service sector jumped 7.8%.
Unemployment level in the United Kingdom showed a significant decline in the three months period ended in February of this year, falling below the 7% target level of the Bank of England. The indicator reached 6.9% versus 7.2% a month ago, while economists expected a slight decrease to 7.1%. Moreover, the official data reported that wage growth in the country
Asian shares gained for the first day out of last four on a telecommunication shares advance and as investors speculated on stimulus prospects after China's economic growth lost its pace to the lowest level in six quarters. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index rose 1% to 138.63 at 2:26 p.m. Hong Kong time, while Japan's Topix index jumped 2.7%.
Gold declined 2% on speculation that better U.S. consumer prices could encourage the Fed continuing to reduce its monetary stimulus. Last year on 16th of April the yellow metal dropped 9.3% that was the most in about 30 years. Gold for June delivery slipped $27.20 to trade at $1,300.30 an ounce as of 1:37 p.m. in New York, making it
The Japanese Yen slid versus almost all of its major counterparts and the Aussie reversed an earlier decline after report indicated China's economic expansion slowed less than expected. The Yen lost 0.3% to 102.27 per U.S. Dollar at 7:16 a.m. London time, after retreating for four days. The currency depreciated 0.4% to 141.40 per Euro, while the greenback was little
The advance in the New Zealand Dollar versus the U.S. counterpart to its strongest level in almost three years might lose its gains. The Kiwi reached 87.46 U.S. cents on April, making it the strongest level since August 2011. New Zealand's currency dropped 0.3% to 86.17 cent as of 11:27 a.m. Wellington time, the currency slipped after consumer prices data
]The European benchmark Brent crude fell on Tuesday trading session as shipments from the Libyan oil field continued after it was taken away from rebels and as inventories in the U.S. advanced last week. Brent for delivery in May lost as much as 64 cents to $108.43 per barrel on the London's ICE Futures Europe exchange.
West Texas Intermediate crude dropped on Tuesday falling from the weakest level in a five-week period on speculation that inventories in the U.S., the world's largest oil consumer, increased last week and as manufacturing activity eased last month. WTI for settlement in May as much as $0.54 to $103.60 per barrel as of 9:55 a.m. on the NYMEX.
Foreign trade balance in the 18-nation bloc came in a surplus in February and exceeding last year's figures, the latest date released by the statistical office Eurostat showed on Tuesday. According to the report, the Eurozone's trade surplus recorded 13.6 billion euros in February from a year ago when it reached a level of 9.8 billion euros.
Investor confidence in the Europe's largest economy continued to decline in April mainly caused by ongoing geopolitical crisis in Ukraine, a report published by the European Economic Research center unveiled on Tuesday. According to the report, the country's investor sentiment slipped from 46.6 points measured in March to a level of 43.2 in the following month.
A leading economic index in South Korea increased in February following two months of declined as machinery orders grew signaling a positive outlook for the economy, a report released by the Conference Board showed on Tuesday. The country's leading economic index added 0.1% in February reversing a drop of 1.1% in the month before and a 0.4% decrease in December.
Import and producer price in Switzerland declined in March falling for the sixth successive time on an annual basis, the latest report released by the Federal Statistical Office showed on Tuesday. According to the report, year-on-year the country's import and producer price index slipped by 0.7% in March following a 0.8% drop in the month before.