Switzerland's unemployment rate remained unchanged in February, data was announced by the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs on Friday. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained on 3.2% mark, thus confirming economists' expectations, while the unadjusted unemployment rate also remained unchanged at 3.5%.
The Asian stocks advanced, after U.S. reported drop in unemployment claims, thus raising hopes that US jobs report might show growth. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index jumped 0.5% extending its winning streak to fourth day, while Japanese benchmark Nikkei 225 index rallied 0.9%, thus reaching third weekly gain of 2.9%.
The Australian Dollar advanced against greenback and is near its highest level in three months, after the Governor of Reserve Bank of Australia Glenn Stevens announced that monetary policy is well configured, and stable interest rate is needed in order to aid businesses. The Aussie has surged 1.8% this month, while in February Australia's currency jumped 1.9%.
The European benchmark Brent crude slightly increased on Thursday trading session after a conflict between Russia and Ukraine eased and as an industry report showed that demand for gasoline slipped 1.5% to 8.41 million barrels per day. Brent for delivery in April gained 6 cents to $107.82 per barrel on the London's ICE Futures Europe exchange.
West Texas Intermediate oil declined on Thursday session falling for the third consecutive day after a report showed that inventories in the U.S. advanced and as concerns over geopolitical tension between Ukraine and Russian Federation cooled down. WTI for April settlement slipped as much 51 cents to $100.94 per barrel as of 9:38 a.m. on the NYMEX.
Bonds in the Eurozone declined on Thursday pushing the Spain 10-year yields towards the lowest level in more than eight years after the European Central Bank maintained its refinancing rates at a record low of 0.25% improving the Eurozone's growth forecast. The Spain 10-year yields added 0.01% to 3.37%, while the Italy's 10-year bonds yielded 0.02% lower at 3.40%.
German bunds decreased on Thursday after the European Central Bank decided to maintain its key interest rates unchanged for the fourth successive month and as the bank's President Mario Draghi forecast faster growth of the region. The German benchmark 10-year bonds yielded four basis points higher at 1.65% by 3:15 p.m. in London following a gain to 1.67%, the most
The U.S. Treasuries declined on Thursday trading session pushing the benchmark 1-year yields towards the strongest level in one week after a government report showed that initial jobless claims in the country fell more than forecast last week. 10-year yields gained two basis points to 2.73% as of 10:16 a.m. New York time following a gain to 2.75%, the most
The British Sterling declined on Thursday trading session falling against the euro-area currency after the European Central Bank President Mario Draghi revealed that the bank maintains refinancing rates unchanged and raised growth forecast for this year. The Pound fell 0.7% to 82.73 pence a Euro as of 3:26 p.m. in London.
New passenger car registrations in the United Kingdom advanced in February rising for the 24th successive month mainly due to continued improvement in confidence of consumers, a report released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders unveiled on Thursday. According to the private report, the U.K. car registration added 3% on an annual basis in February totaling 68,736 units.
New orders in the German manufacturing sector recovered in the month of January rising by more than economists initially expected, a report released by the Federal Ministry of Economics showed on Thursday. The country's new factory orders advanced by 1.2% on a sequential basis in January after falling by 0.2% in the month before.
New orders for manufactured goods declined in the U.S. falling by more than experts initially estimated in January, the latest data revealed by the Commerce Department showed on Thursday. According to the report, the country's new factory orders slipped 0.7% in January following a notable increased in the month before by 2.0%.
Initial claims for unemployment benefits in the world's largest economy declined last week by more than economists originally projected, a report revealed by the Labor Department showed on Thursday. According to the report, the U.S. jobless claims slipped by 26,000 from a level of 349,000 to 323,000 recorded in the week ended on March 1.
Labour productivity in the world's largest economy was downwardly revised on Thursday, a report published by the Commerce Department showed today, after the country's output fell less than forecast last week. According to the report, the U.S. productivity rose 1.8% in the last quarter of 2013, while it was estimated to gain by 3.2%.
The euro-area currency edged higher on Thursday trading session after the European Central Bank maintained its key refinancing rates unchanged for the fourth successive month cooling concerns over further cuts and weakening the Euro. The shared currency slightly advanced against the U.S. Dollar and was last seen at $1.3778.
Indian equities increased on Thursday trading session pushing the benchmark stock index BSE towards its record high and the other NSE gauge near its highest level all-time as blue chips continued to rise on strong demand. The BSE Index was last seen at 21,525.14, while the NSE gauge was traded 0.2% off its record peak of 6,415.25.
Shares in Moscow declined on Thursday falling for the second successive session this week after politics in the Ukraine's Crimea decided to vote for joining the Russian Federation and the Ukrainian current Prime Minister declared that a possible referendum would be banned. The U.S. Dollar-denominated RTX stock index slipped 2.8% to 1,148 points.
Wall Street inched higher earlier on Thursday trading session in New York after a government report showed that employers in the country added more jobs than initially expected and as tension between Ukraine and the Russian Federation eased. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index gained 0.28% to 1,879, the Dow Jones rose 0.27% to 16,404.94 and the Nasdaq Composite Index
The U.S. Dollar increased on Thursday rising against the Eurozone's currency and the Japanese Yen after a government report revealed that the country's employers added 139,000 jobs in February after falling in the month before. The so-called Greenback traded at $1.3745 during day against the Euro, while it advanced to 102.72 yen.
World shares increased on Thursday trading session mainly due to a notable gain in European equities after the European Central Bank maintained its key interest rates unchanged and as Ukraine's geopolitical tension eased on diplomatic efforts. The MSCI global equity gauge tracking 45 countries added 0.3%, while the MSCI Emerging Market index rose 0.8%.
The European Central Bank decided to maintain its benchmark interest rates unchanged on Thursday keeping the same level for the fourth successive month, a report after the policy meeting in Frankfurt showed today. According to the report, the ECB's key interest rate held at 0.25%, while the lending facility rate stayed at 0.75%.
Japanese currency depreciation over the past year against the Euro will reverse as tensions in Crimea spur demand for haven putting pressure on Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's efforts to boost growth. The Yen was little changed at 140.90 per Eurozone's currency at 1:15 p.m. in Tokyo, dropping 0.3 % from yesterday's close in New York. It traded at 145.69 on
WTI dropped for the third day as U.S. government data indicated the increase in distillate and crude stockpiles. West Texas Intermediate for April delivery contracted 59 cents to $100.86 a barrel on the NYMEX and was at $101.12 as of 12:50 p.m. Singapore time. The contract dropped $1.88 to $101.45 on Wednesday trading session, the lowest price since Feb. 14.
The Japanese Yen touched the weakest level in a week versus the greenback as the government of Japan announced that the world's largest pension fund has no need to focus on Japanese bonds taking into account quickening inflation. Japanese currency contracted 0.2% to 102.51 per greenback at 12:01 p.m. in Tokyo after it reached 102.60, the lowest level since Feb. 26.