West Texas Intermediate oil increased earlier on Thursday trading session and it traded close to the strongest level in more than four weeks as demand for fuel in the world's largest economy advanced and on signs that the Chinese economy is struggle to gain its momentum. WTI for settlement in May slipped 31 cents to $103.29 per barrel on the
Core machinery orders in the Asian second largest economy decreased on a monthly basis in February with the figure falling by 8.8% totaling 769.6 billion yen, a report published by the Cabinet Office unveiled on Thursday. The report also showed that core machinery orders were originally seen to fall only by 3% after climbing by 13.4% in January.
Bank lending in the Asia's second largest economy advanced in March, however the pace of growth eased from the month before, the latest report released by the Bank of Japan unveiled on Thursday. According to the report, the country's overall bank lending was up 2.3% on an annual basis in March following a gain of 2.4% in the month before.
The Bank of England decided to maintain its benchmark interest rates at the historical low and remain its current level of monetary easing as lawmakers await stronger momentum of the country's economy, the Monetary Policy Committee said on Thursday. The BoE holds its key interest rates at 0.50% and the volume of bond purchases at a level of 375 billion
The United Kingdom's house price balance jumped in the month of March rising by more than economists originally estimated, a report released by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors unveiled on Thursday. According to the report, the U.K.'s house price balance climbed to a level of 57% in March, while it was forecast to rise to 44%.
Forecast of the gross domestic product growth in the world's second largest economy was eased marginally for both years 2014 and 2015, the World Bank showed in its last report, at the same time the Fitch Ratings affirmed the country's sovereign rating at ‘A+'. China's growth is seen to record 7.6% in 2014 and 7.5% in the following year according
Chinese shipments abroad decreased in March with both exports and imports falling by more than forecast suggesting that the local economy is struggling to maintain its momentum, a data published by the General Administration of Customs unveiled on Thursday. China's exports slipped 6.6% on an annual basis in March, while imports dropped 11.3% in the same month.
Unemployment rate in Australia increased in the month of March rising by slightly more than economists initially projected, a data unveiled by the Australia Bureau of Statistics showed on Thursday. According to the report, the country's jobless rate rose to 5.8% in March compared to a level of 6.1% originally forecast.
Merchandise trade balance in the world's second largest economy posted a surplus in March exceeding initial economists' expectations, a report revealed by the custom office showed on Thursday. The country's merchandise trade surplus recorded $7.71 billion in March following a shortfall totaling $23.0 billion in February, while it was seen to post a $0.9 billion surplus .
U.S. wholesale inventories advanced in February rising by less than originally projected by economists, a report released by the Commerce Department showed on Thursday. According to the report, the world's largest economy wholesale inventories jumped by 0.5% in February following a 0.5% gain in the month before.
The Japanese Yen appreciated versus most counterparts while the Aussie reversed advances after China's trade data that indicated on unexpected decline in country's imports and exports. The Yen added 0.2% to 101.76 per Dollar at 7:12 a.m. London time, while it gained 0.3% to 140.88 per Euro, after sliding 0.6% on Wednesday. The greenback traded at $1.3845 per Euro after
U.S. equities closed higher on Wednesday after the Federal Reserve released a report from the last policy meeting suggesting that the bank may be more cautious towards raising interest rates than originally forecast. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index added 1.09% to 1,872.18, the Dow Jones industrial average climbed 1.11% to 16,437.18 and the Nasdaq Composite index rose to 1.72%
The New Zealand's currency climbed on Thursday trading session rising against its U.S. counterpart after jobs data in the country's biggest trade partner, Australia, increase more than projected last month and as China's trade data surprisingly weakened. The so-called Kiwi gained to $0.8746, the highest level in 2 ½ years, and it last traded at $0.8717.
The Australian Dollar increased on Thursday trading session hitting the strongest level since November 2013 against the U.S. Dollar after a data showed that employment in the country rose more than forecast last month. The so-called Aussie climbed as much as 0.2% to $0.9409 and it traded near a level of $0.9440, the most in five months.
The U.S. Dollar advanced on Thursday trading session with the index measuring its performance against most traded currencies fluctuating near the lowest level reached in 2013 after the Federal Reserve released minutes from the last policy meeting. The U.S. Dollar index was last seen at 79.52 as the Greenback fell to $1.3850 versus the Euro and it climbed to 101.88
The majority of Asian shares increased on Thursday session extending their previous gains after the U.S. Federal Reserve released its minutes of the latest policy meeting signaling that the bank may be cautious towards lifting interest rates. The MSCI Asia-Pacific outside Japan jumped as much as 0.1% hitting the highest level if five months and the Nikkei stock index climbed
The European benchmark Brent crude decreased on Wednesday trading session after the government of Libya declared that two ports given back from rebels started working again and oil exports will continue. Brent for delivery in May traded 34 cents lower at a level of $107.33 per barrel on the London's Ice Futures Europe exchange.
West Texas Intermediate crude declined on Tuesday session falling from the strongest levels in four weeks after a report showed that stockpiles increased in the U.S., the world's largest consumer of oil. WTI for settlement in May slipped as much as $0.53 to $102.03 per barrel on the NYMEX and was last seen at $102.15 by 9:57 a.m. in London.
The U.S. Treasuries increased on Wednesday with the benchmark 10-year notes falling for the first session in a five-day period before an auction today totalling $21 billion of the 10-year securities and as investors awaited for the Fed's minutes released today. The 10-year notes gained two basis points to 2.70% by 10:17 a.m. London time.
Chinese equities mostly increased on Wednesday trading session with the benchmark Shanghai stock index reaching the strongest level in six weeks on signs that the People's Bank of China may use stimulus to support the country's growth. The Shanghai Composite Index climbed 0.3%, while the Hang Seng China Enterprises Index rose 0.6% to its highest level in three months.
Emerging-market equities increased on Wednesday trading session rising towards the highest level in four months as the gains were led by technology companies on China's signals that the government may support the economy by financial aid. The MSCI Emerging Markets Index jumped as much as 0.5% to 1,016.40 as of 11:26 a.m. London time.
Industrial output in Greece increased in February rising for the third successive month and at the fastest rate in sixteen months, the latest figures showed by the Hellenic Statistical Authority unveiled on Wednesday. The country's industrial production advanced on an annual basis by 1.7% in February after growing by 1.1% in the prior month.
New Zealand's credit card spending in retail remained unchanged in March missing economists' projections of an advance, a data published by the Statistics New Zealand unveiled on Wednesday. According to the data, the country's credit card spending in retail sector stayed flat in March following previous month's gain of 0.8%, while total card spending slipped 0.2%.
The negative trade balance of the U.K. decreased slightly in February of the current year, as a fall in imports was stronger than a decrease in exports. The gap slipped to 9.1 billion pounds, down from 9.5 billion pounds in January. Exports went down 1.6%, while imports plunged 2.2%. Aircraft imports slid 46% month-on-month and was the largest contributor to