The trade surplus of the Eurozone showed a significant improvement in November of the last year, however, it rose much less than analysts forecasted. The surplus totaled 16 billion euro versus 14.7 billion in October, while the average expectation stood at 16.7 billion euro. Exports unexpectedly declined 0.2% for the first time since August, while a decrease in imports worsened
European shares rose, with the regional benchmark Stoxx Europe 600 Index advancing for a fourth consecutive day, after the World Bank increased global growth forecast. The Stoxx 600 added 0.5% to 332.90 as of 9:36 a.m. London time, adding to its four-day climb and the gauge closed at the highest level in more than five years.
U.K. shares gained for a fourth straight day, with the regional benchmark FTSE 100 Index touching the highest level in 11 weeks, after the World Bank raised its growth forecasts. The FTSE 100 Index rose 0.3% to 6,789.19 as of 8:59 a.m. London time, after it has advanced 1.5% in the past four days, The FTSE All-Share Index added 0.3%,
The Australian Dollar dropped, prolonging its biggest decline in a month against the U.S. counterpart, ahead of tomorrow's jobs data that is forecasted to remain at its current level. The Aussie slid 0.5% to 89.19 U.S. cents at 4:57 p.m. Sydney time, after depreciating 1% on Monday, while the Kiwi slipped 0.5% to 83.40 U.S. cents.
Latvia has successfully launched its first euro bonds sale in 2014 yesterday, as the country sold one billion euro of debt. The yields declined, as the country joined the Eurozone in the beginning of this year, meaning that it is now safer to lend money to Latvia. Seven-year bond yields dropped to 2.815% in 2014 from 3.125% in 2009 when
According to the preliminary data, economic growth in Germany reached 0.4% in the previous year after a 0.7% rise in 2012, while analysts predicted the GDP to add 0.5%. At the same time, the budget deficit in Germany totaled 0.1%. Private consumption in the country rose 0.9%, government spending advanced 1.1%, while exports and imports increased 0.6% and 1.3%, respectively.
The total number of machine tool orders in Japan jumped considerably in December of the last year, as there were 28% more orders than in December of the year ago. In money terms, orders reached 1116.98 billion yen. It is worth pointing out that domestic orders rose 41.6%, while export demand increased 21.9%. Moreover, counting the whole year 2013, orders
The number of registrations of new vehicles in Australia started to increase in the last month of the previous year, after a 0.7% decline in November, as they added 1.7% in December. The sales totaled 97,014 vehicles. Meanwhile, passenger vehicles' registrations were up only 0.7%. By region, the biggest rise in sales was registered in Western Australia (5.2%) and Queensland
Retail sales in Switzerland jumped considerably in November of the previous year, the data of the Statistical Office showed today. The indicator climbed 4.2% on the annual basis, while economists expected it to add 1.7%. Excluding fuel, sales surged 3.9% year-on-year, but from October they rose 1.8%. Sales of food, tobacco and drinks added 3%, while non-food sales advanced 4%.
Indian currency declined on Wednesday snapping its two-day fall amid speculation that the U.S. Federal Reserve may scale back its stimulus as soon as on the next policy meeting as the economy improves reducing inflows to emerging markets. The Rupee dropped 0.1% to 61.5525 per U.S. Dollar by 10:34 a.m. Mumbai time from January 13, since the market was closed
The British Sterling weakened against the U.S. Dollar after recording the largest advanced in over two weeks yesterday before the Bank of England Governor Mark Carney speaks about financial stability to U.K. lawmakers. The Pound slipped 0.2% to $1.6401 as of 7:43 a.m. in London following an increase by 0.4% yesterday, the largest gain since December 27.
Gold declined on Wednesday trading session falling for the second straight day from the strongest level in four weeks as the precious rally reduces demand and as the U.S. Federal Reserve may continue scale back its stimulus measures as the economy improves. Bullion for delivery in January slid 0.5% to $1,239 an ounce and was last seen at $1,242.03 as
Emerging-market shares jumped on Wednesday session mainly due to an increase of export companies amid upbeat data revealed by the World Bank showing its outlook for global economic growth. The MSCI Emerging Markets Index advanced 0.1% to 976.22 by 1:28 p.m. Hong Kong time, however the gauge has fallen 2.7% this year.
West Texas Intermediate crude fluctuated on Wednesday trading session amid speculation that inventories in the U.S., the world's largest consumer of oil, dropped and on signs the U.S. economy may sustain its economic growth. WTI for delivery next month slipped 5 cents to $92.54 per barrel on the NYMEX as of 2:42 p.a. in Singapore.
The European benchmark Brent crude traded in London decreased on Wednesday after a report showed that inventories in the U.S. fell last week by 1.3 million barrels and as retail sales in the country surprisingly increased 0.2% in December. Brent for delivery in February slipped 20 cents and last traded at $106.19 per barrel on the Ice Futures Europe exchange.
U.S. currency jumped on Wednesday rising against the majority of its most-traded counterparts and rebounding from the lowest level in two weeks against the euro-area currency before the Beige Book business survey was released by the U.S. Fed. The so-called Greenback added 0.3% to $1.3637 by 6:50 a.m. London time following a drop to $1.3699, the least since January 2.
Import prices in the world's largest economy remained unchanged in December after recording drops in the previous two months, a report published by the Labor Department showed on Wednesday. According to the report, the country's import prices stayed flat in December after falling 0.9% in November and by 0.6% in the month of October.
Global economy growth projection was improved by the World Bank mainly due to a reduction of some fiscal consolidation measures implemented by high-income countries, a report published by the bank showed on Wednesday. According to the report, the world economy is set to grow 3.2% this year compared to previous expectation of a 3% acceleration in the June data.
Wholesale price inflation in India recorded a notable slow-down in December missing an initial economists' forecast expecting a rate of 6.99%, the latest data unveiled by the Ministry of Commerce showed on Wednesday. The country's wholesale prices rose 6.16% on an annual basis in December after recording an increase of 7.52% in the prior month.
U.S. retail sales unexpectedly advanced more than initially estimated on the last month of 2013, however the pace of increase in November was revised downwardly, the Commerce Department showed in a report on Tuesday. The U.S. retail sales grew 0.2% in December, while it was originally seen to be rising 0.1%, down from a 0.4% advanced in November.
U.S. business inventories increased in November rising by more than economists originally projected, a report revealed by the Commerce Department showed on Wednesday. According to the report, business inventories in the world's largest economy advanced 0.4% in November after recording a gain by 0.8% in the previous month.
The Japanese Yen and Australia's currency slipped earlier on Wednesday session after a government report showed that retail sales in the U.S. unexpectedly increase last month pushing the U.S. Dollar from the lowest level in a month. The Yen traded at 104.31 after rising towards the most in a month at 102.85, while the Aussie fell as much as 1%
Wall Street closed higher on Tuesday snapping the previous session of steep declines after a government report showed that retail sales in the world's largest economy rose notably easing concerns that the U.S. recovery lost its momentum. The Dow Jones industrial average added 0.71% to 16,373.86, the Standard & Poor's 500 Index gained 1.08% to 1,838.88 and the Nasdaq Composite
The majority of Asian stocks increased on Wednesday after the World Bank revealed its global economic outlook and as a government report showed that consumer spending in the U.S. improved notably pushing the U.S. Dollar higher. The MSCI Asia-Pacific gauge outside Japan added 0.1%, while the Singapore index gained 0.6% and Taiwan benchmark gauge rose also 0.6%.