A leading economic index in the Asia's second largest economy decreased in February falling by less than economists initially estimated and remaining at the weakest level in six months, a data revealed by the Cabinet Office showed on Tuesday. The Japanese leading index slipped from January's level of 113.5 to 108.9 points in the following month.
U.S. existing homes sales recorded a modest decline in the month of March, however the pace of drop was lower than economists originally expected, a report released by the National Association of Realtors unveiled on Tuesday. According to the report, the country's existing homes sales slipped 0.2% totaling 4.59 million last month following February's level of 4.60 million.
A leading index of economic activity in the world's largest economy improved in March rising by more than economists initially projected, a report revealed by the Conference Board unveiled on Tuesday. According to the report, the country's leading index advanced 0.8% in March after recording a 0.5% gain in the previous month.
The New Zealand's currency advanced on Tuesday trading session rising against the U.S. Dollar amid speculation that the Reserve Bank of New Zealand may hike benchmark interest rates on the next policy meeting for the second time since the beginning of this year. The so-called Kiwi added as much as 0.3% to $0.8592 at the close.
The Eurozone's currency was traded lower on Tuesday session fluctuated near the weakest level in two weeks versus the U.S. Dollar and at the 2-month low against the British Sterling amid speculation that the ECB may cut rates soon. The Euro fell to a level of $1.3785 following an increased to $1.3815, while it slipped 0.1% to 82.01 pence.
The European Central Bank top officials commented on Tuesday that the bank may need to weaken the euro-area currency as inflation in the region is still at the weakest level in the Euro-era mainly due to the currency strength. Benoit Coeure claimed today that the benchmark interest rate needs to be cut below a level of 0.25% as the inflation
The majority of European shares increased on Tuesday trading session together with falling euro-area currency after the European Central Bank policymakers signaled that the bank may add more stimulus soon. The FTSEEurofirst 300 Index measuring top stocks from Europe added as much as 1% to a level of 1,342.38 exceeding last week's gains.
Wall Street shares opened higher on Tuesday session with benchmark stock indexes Standard & Poor's 500 and Nasdaq Composite heading towards their sixth successive increase as companies reporter earnings. The S&P 500 Index added 0.39% to 1,879.12, the Dow Jones industrial average rose 0.35% to 16,507.08 and the Nasdaq index jumped 0.72% to 4,151.08.
Gold traded around the lowest level in more than ten days in London as investors speculated on signs of U.S. economic recovery versus. Gold for immediate delivery traded at $1,289.77 an ounce at 9:35 a.m. London time, after it touched $1,282 day earlier, the weakest level since April 3. Bullion for June delivery climbed 0.1% to $1,289.80 an ounce in
The British currency strengthened to the highest level in about two months against Eurozone's currency on bets that country's economic recovery will outperform Euro area. The Sterling added 0.1% to 82.04 pence per Euro as of 10:56 a.m. in London, after touching 82.03 pence, the highest level since February 28. The currency rose 0.2% to $1.6827 after approaching $1.6842 last
Australia's Dollar gained the most in last two weeks versus the U.S. counterpart ahead of tomorrow's inflation report. The Aussie added 0.4% to 93.63 U.S. cents as of 9:03 a.m. in London, the biggest climb since April 8. The Japanese Yen appreciated 0.1% to 102.49 per Dollar and rose 0.1% to 141.47 per Euro, while the 18-nation currency traded at
The majority of precious metals declined on Monday trading session as demand weakened amid escalation tension between the Russian Federation and Ukraine. Silver for settlement in April lost 1.9% to $19.251 an ounce, the lease since April 15, and it was last traded at $19.3362, while platinum fell 0.5% to $1,406.75 an ounce and palladium dropped 0.6% to $792 an
Gold declined on Monday session falling towards the weakest level in over two weeks as some traders claimed that technical indicators signal that the precious metal may decrease further in the next few days. Bullion for settlement in April slipped as much as 1% to a level of $1,282 an ounce, the least since April 3, and it was last
China's major cities house prices gained in the month of March mainly due to speculative lending and transactions happening despite strict controls, a report revealed by the National Bureau of Statistics showed on Monday. According to the report, prices advanced in 69 out of 70 major cities in the country with property prices in Beijing rising by 10.3% and in
Export orders in Taiwan advanced in March rising by more than economists originally projected as demand from the Eurozone and Japan boosted the growth, a report published by the Ministry of Economic Affairs showed on Monday. According to the report, the country's export orders gained 5.9% on an annual basis in March compared to a 4.7% increase originally estimated.
Emerging-markets shares decreased on Monday as the drop was led by Chinese and South Korean shares, whereas Philippine equities advanced after a report showed that Japan posted the largest trade deficit all-time. The MSCI Emerging Markets Index fluctuated at a level of 1,011.50 by 1:30 p.m. Hong Kong time as 180 shares gained and 175 slipped.
The majority of Chinese shares dropped on Monday session with the benchmark stock index falling towards the weakest level in a two-week period amid speculation that the next initial public offering may move funds from existing stocks. The Shanghai Composite index lost as much as 1.1% to 2,073.77 as of 2:41 p.m. after it dropped 1.5% last week.
West Texas Intermediate crude decreased on Monday with the WTI-Brent spread narrowing to a level of $6.01 per barrel from Friday's level of $6.16 after the U.S. government decided to postpone the Keystone XL pipeline ruling to November. WTI for settlement in May expiring tomorrow slipped 32 cents to $103.98 per barrel on the NYMEX.
The European benchmark Brent crude dropped on Monday trading session falling for the second straight day on speculation that the recent rally lasting since this February may have been too rapid after tension between Russian and Ukraine escalated. The Brent for settlement in June slipped 54 cents to a level of $108.99 per barrel on the London's ICE Futures Europe
U.S. Treasuries advanced earlier on Monday session with the benchmark 10-year government yields falling from the strongest level in a two-week period as demand for safe-haven assets increased amid continued shooting in Ukraine. The 10-year yields slipped three basis points to 2.70% by 4:01 p.m. Tokyo time after the yields jumped to 2.72% on April 17, the most in 2
Japanese shares mostly declined on Monday trading session with the benchmark stock index Topix falling for the first time in a five-day period as the drop was led by drugmakers and property companies. The Topix tumbled as much as 0.2% to 1,171.40 in Tokyo following an increased by 0.7% earlier on the session.
Trade balance in the Asia's second largest economy is likely to come in a deficit in the next three months of 2014 after recording a shortfall in the Q1 as domestic demand struggles, a report released by the Capital Economics showed on Monday. According to the report, the country's shortfall in the Q2 may narrow by approximately 0.75% of GDP.
Government in Italy lowered a tax on lower income earners in order to boost domestic demand and increase household incomes, the country's Prime Minister Matteo Renzi said past weekend. According to Renzi, the recent tax reduction may help about ten million tax payers and reduce the total number of taxes by 80 euro per month for people earning 26,000 euro
Corporate bank loan demand in the Asia's second largest economy declined in the first three months of this year, the latest report released by the Bank of Japan showed on Monday. According to the report, the country's demand for bank loans from corporate clients slipped from a level of 8 points to 5 points amid slow-down in fixed investments.