On Monday morning session European stocks experienced a decline offsetting returns inspired by the nomination of new Italian PM. Stoxx Europe 600 index lost 0.3% reaching 240.27, German DAX 30 index dropped 0.2% to 6,043.59 while CAC 40 index decreased 0.5% to 3,133.73. FTSE 100 index remained flat at 5,545.27 and only Italy FTSE MIB index kept increasing to 15,863.97, attaining 0.5%.
US Labor Department announced initial claims for unemployment benefits decreased by 10000 to 390000. MarketWatch predicted it to be 398000. However, the situation in the country is still difficult as only 80000 job places were created in October while 250000 jobs per month are necessary to satisfy natural increase in labor force. US unemployment rate is 9% in October.
On Sunday the officials of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit presented a Honolulu Declaration according to which they are pledged to create a unified regional economy. Declaration emphasized that global challenges have strengthened APEC members' willingness to cooperate. According to APEC leaders, trade liberalization will play a key role in global recovery.
In view of the global economic problems participants of the APEC summit agreed that further liberalization of trade is of critical importance for sustainable growth in future. At summit US president discussed US enlargement plans in Asia-Pacific region and his free-trade agreement, called Trans Pacific Partnership. Other North American countries as Canada and Mexico also are interested in joining Asian-Pacific free-trade zone.
N.Z. dollar advanced against US dollar two days in a row after government reported 5-year record increase in retail sales. Aussie and kiwi strengthened against greenback as Asian stocks rallied on investors' optimism about Greece's and Italy's new leadership. In Sydney evening trading session New Zealand dollar gained 0.2% to USD reaching $0.7869, while Aussie added 0.2 % to $1.0292.
After booming prices in property market the industry has started to cool down. The government tightening policies have led to an overall fall in real estate prices. Prices for new apartments in Beijing dropped by 5.1%. Analysts fear that restriction policy may impact country's economic growth. However, officials announced no changes in policy and continuation of price decrease in the industry.
The China Banking Regulatory Commission announced that three banks can issue 110 billion yuan bonds to provide loans for micro- and small-enterprises. The measure is aimed at stimulating development of small firms as they experience difficulties in raising finance, especially after government's credit restriction policies. Loans to small companies amounted 8.8% of all loans in September.
In the light of the recent developments in Europe the stability of the Eurozone is under threat. Reforms aimed at euro stabilization will be difficult to implement but the collapse of single currency will lead to a catastrophe, said Tony Blair. Eurozone has to coordinate its tax and spending to sustain euro and recover after recession, he added.
The precious metal for December delivery went up by $1,795.10 an ounce on the Comex division, New York Mercantile Exchange in Asian trading. Lower dollar stimulates purchasing of dollar-priced commodities like gold as they become more profitable investment option for other currency holders. Other metals also gained on weaker dollar, copper rose by 3% to $3.57 a pound and silver was up by 0.4% to
Major consumers of China's exports are exposed to economic problems due to debt crisis in the Eurozone and unemployment in US. China's exports are falling causing decrease in the country's growth pace. China's annual growth rate is likely to be about 8% in the next 10 years as compared to more than 10% in the previous years, said Li Yang, vice president of the
According to Donato Marra, presidency general secretary, economist and former EU commissioner and Mario Monti was appointed to replace ex-premier Silvio Berlusconi as Italian PM on Sunday. Monti in his brief announcement thanked President Napolitano for trust and promised to do as much as possible to help Italy tackle hard economic situation. Monti eventually will receive approval from the Italian law makers.
According to PM Najib Razak, despite global slowdown, Malaysian economy is expected to grow around 5% this year. Malaysia is predicted to accelerate in 3rd and 4th quarter after growing 4.6% in the 1st and 2nd quarter. PM Najib suggested that country is less export dependent on euro-region and slowdown in Europe will not have critical impact on Malaysia.
Shanghai Stock Exchange confirmed it is ready to allow foreign companies to trade stocks. According to Xu Ming, international stocks board's vice president, trading should begin soon. Trading of overseas stocks will aid Shanghai Stock Exchange to become worldwide financial center in 10 years. Listing in China's stock exchange would provide overseas firms with access to Chinese yuan and increase their market value.
On Monday Asian markets advanced as Italy approved the austerity measures and appointed a new government leader Mario Monti lessening investor fears of enduring Eurozone debt crisis. Japan's Nikkei Stock Average added 1.1%, Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index rose 2.4% while Shanghai Composite Index climbed 1.6%. South Korea's Kospi gained 2.3% and Australia's S&P/ASX 200 index increased at a slowest pace reaching 0.2%.
Obama in his meeting with Chinese President Hu Jintao emphasized the importance of fair trade. US accuses China for boosting its trade surplus by keeping yuan artificially low thereby creating competitive disadvantage for US companies. Chinese Foreign Ministry in response issued a release claiming that US unemployment and trade deficit is not caused by the undervalued yuan and its appreciation won't solve US difficulties.
Japanese economy experienced growth for the first time since earthquake in March 11. Recovery was mainly boosted by increase in exports. According to Cabinet Office in Tokyo, Gross Domestic Product added annualized 6% from July 1 to September 30. Economic output of ВҐ543 trillion reached pre-earthquake level. Nevertheless, Kiichi Murashima, Citigroup Global Markets chief economist in Japan, predicts GDP to slow down in the 4th
On Sunday Syria was excluded from the Arab League for failing to stop violence against protesters. Syria was abandoned two weeks after Bashar al-Assad's parliament proposed a plan that should end aggression. Syria is the second country after Libya that has been suspended from the Arab League this year. According to Theodore Karasik, the Institute for Near East and Gulf Military Analysis executive, the situation follows
On late Saturday Italian premier Berlusconi resigned after dominating in politics for almost twenty years. Former PM submitted his resignation to Greece's President Napolitano, after the Chamber of Deputies approved austerity measures to reduce national debt and stimulate economic growth. Napolitano is going to ask new PM Mario Monti to establish a new government.
US consumer sentiment increased to 64.2 in November as compared to 60.9 in October according to report of the University of Michigan and Thomson Reuters. Consumer sentiment is higher than expected 63. Consumers were inspired by higher stock prices and decrease in unemployment rate explain analysts. Economists are sure that it is a positive direction of higher customer spending.
Italy's austerity bill is going to be approved by chamber of deputies in the next two days meaning that Silvio Berlusconi has to resign following his announcement. Austerity measures are aimed at preventing bailout from Italy, the third largest economy in Europe. On Tuesday Italy issued more than 5bn euros debt for one year at 6.087% rate.
US trade deficit decreased by 4% achieving $43.1 billion in September from $44.9 billion in August according to Commerce Department. The drop in trade gap is much larger than predicted $45.6. At the same time imports have been stagnating for four months. Exports rose by 1.4% to $180.4 billion while imports increase only by 0.2 % to $223.5 billion.
The dollar index DXY fell by 0.88%. It was traded at 77.218 on Friday compared to 77.660 Thursday in North American trading. Lower dollar value contributes positively to commodity trade as the price for them is lower for other currency holders.
Situation in Europe started to stabilize as political tensions in Italy and Greece became lower. The prospects of oil demand are positive and crude oil price for December delivery increased by 0.8% approaching to $98.46 a barrel as traded on the New York Mercantile Exchange.
Economic problems in Europe and US led to frequent fluctuations in stock market. Although gold-mining shares are gradually rising as they are considered to be more stable. Shares of Newmont Mining Corp. and Barrick Gold Corp. went up by 9%. NYSE Arca Gold Bugs Index increased by 11%. Gold prices were up by 8% as compared to the end of Q3.