Home prices in the U.K. decreased slightly in December of the current year amid seasonal factors, as the average price for property in the country lost 1.9% to 241,455 pounds. At the same time, it was the smallest fall in prices for December since 2006. On the annual basis prices, in turn, rose 5.4%, while the Rightmove real estate agency
The U.S. House of Representatives voted for the first bipartisan federal budget since 2009, as both major parties reached the final agreement on important issues. The lawmakers approved the budget with 332 votes for versus 92 votes against it. The passed budget includes a $63 billion ease in spending cuts. At the same time, this budget keeps about 50% of
The positive trade balance of the Netherlands jumped 400 million euro in October of the current year on the annual basis, reaching in total 4.2 billion euro. At the same time, the data shows a 2.1% decrease in exports from a year earlier to 37.9 billion euro. Imports, however, plunged as much as 3.4% to 33.7 billion euro. Export prices
The Central bank of Russia, Bank Rossii, decided not to make any changes in the monetary policy after the Friday meeting. The key interest rate remained flat at 5.5%, being unchanged already for 15 consecutive months. Economists see the Russia's economy to weaken, as inflation rises. The latter stays above the target level of 5-6%, as the CPI reached as
The sovereign credit rating of Russia was confirmed by the Standard&Poor's rating agency at the BBB/A-2 level in foreign currency, while the rating in the local currency was affirmed at BBB+/A-2 level. At the same time, the future outlook for the rating remained unchanged at stable mark, which points on balanced risks for the economy, as it is expected to
The producer price index, which measures the prices of finished goods in services from producers' side, dropped in the U.S. by 0.1% in November of this year after a 0.2% slump a month ago. Lower costs for cars and energy pushed the PPI down. At the same time, excluding prices for energy and food, prices were up 0.1% on a
Employment in the 17-nation bloc remained at a same level for the second straight quarter in the Q3, while the whole European Union employment stayed unchanged as well, a report revealed by the statistical office Eurostat showed on Friday. According to the report, the Eurozone's employment dropped 0.8% on an annual basis in the Q3 following a drop by 1.1%
German equities swung between gains and losses on Friday trading session as the benchmark gauge heading towards the second successive weekly decline before the Federal Reserve policy meeting that is forecast to bring a scale-back of stimulus measures. The benchmark index DAX gained 0.2% to 9,034.23 as of 10 a.m. Frankfurt time and it has dropped 1.5% this week.
Emerging-market shares fell on Friday and were set to record their second successive weekly drop as Indian equities tumbled on unfavourable economic data despite gains in China's stocks. The MSCI Emerging Markets Index swung between gains and losses by 8:50 a.m. London time, when about the equal number of stocks rise and slide, and it has fallen 1.1% this week.
Asian equities dropped on Friday session with the local benchmark index heading towards its second weekly fall amid raising speculation that the Federal Reserve may tighten its monetary policy on the next week's meeting as the economy improves. The MSCI Asia-Pacific Index outside Japan slipped 0.3% to 137.68 by 4:27 p.m. Hong Kong time.
Indian shares declined on Friday with the local benchmark index heading for the largest weekly fall in one month after a government report showed that inflation in the country advanced more than forecast raising concerns over interest rate increase. The S&P BSE Sensex dropped 0.9% to 20,734.08 as of 2:17 p.m. Mumbai time and it has fallen 1.2% this week.
Canadian shares dropped to the lowest level in two months, impacted by gold mining companies on speculation that the Fed will scale back its monetary stimulus programme. The Standard & Poor's/ TSX Composite Index slid 0.1% to 13,114.39 as of 4 p.m. Toronto time, the lowest level in almost two months. The gauge has rallied 5.5% this year, making it
The Aussie is set for its longest streak of weekly declines in 28 years, as the head of Reserve Bank of Australia choose his words carefully to talk down nation's currency. The Australian Dollar was at 89.26 U.S. cents as of 5:02 p.m. Syndey time, while it rose 0.2% to NZ$1.0857 after yesterday's retreat to NZ$1.0817. The Aussie has declined
European shares were little changed, with the regional benchmark Stoxx Europe 600 Index set for a second straight weekly decline, before upcoming week's Fed's meeting. The Stoxx 600 fell 0.1% to 310.02 as of 8:05 a.m. London time and the gauge has slipped 2.1% so far weekly after positive U.S. data that fueled tapering speculation. Standard & Poor's 500 Index
Gold fluctuated between gains and declines as investors speculated on metal's physical demand after the Fed spoke on tapering its monetary stimulus. Bullion for immediate delivery traded at $1,226.14 as of 9:41 a.m. London time, after its prices dropped 2.1% on Thursday, while the yellow metal for February delivery was at $1,225.30 in New York.
The European benchmark Brent crude slightly increased on Friday after an industry report showed that the OPEC may increase its oil shipments in December as heating demand advances. Brent for delivery in January expiring on December 16 gained 2 cents to $108.69 per barrel on the London's ICE Futures Europe Exchange.
West Texas Intermediate oil dropped on Friday trading session heading for a weekly fall on speculation that the Federal Reserve may trim its aggressive bond-purchasing program as the economy improves. WTI for delivery in January shed 9 cents to $97.41 a barrel on the NYMEX as of 3:31 p.m. in Singapore after rising 6 cents yesterday to $97.50.
The British Sterling weakened on Friday falling for the second straight week against the shared currency after a government report showed that house prices in the United Kingdom jumped to record highs in November. The Pound swung between gains and losses and traded at 84.18 pence a euro by 9:17 a.m. London time and it has fallen 0.4% this week.
Spain's inflation measured as harmonized and consumer price index increased in October matching economists' original expectations, a report revealed by the statistical office INE on Friday. According to the report, the country's harmonized index of consumer prices gained 0.3% on an annual basis in November following a 0.2% advanced in the prior month.
Sovereign debt rating of Italy was affirmed by Standard & Poor's rating agency amid diversified and wealthy economy and an improvement in external balance sheet, the rating agency showed in a report on Friday. The gross domestic product of Italy's economy is forecast to recover 0.4% and 0.9% in 2014 and 2015 respectively.
Producer and import prices in Switzerland dropped in the month of November with the index for imported and domestic products falling by 0.4% on a sequential basis, a report published by the Federal Statistical Office unveiled on Friday. Month-on-month, the price index slipped 0.1% as domestically produced goods fell 0.1% and imported goods slid 0.2%.
Japanese industrial output advanced on a sequential basis in October rising at a faster pace than economists originally expected, a report published by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry revealed on Friday. Japan's industrial production gained 1% compared to a 0.5% growth initially forecast as shipments climbed monthly by 2.3% in October.
The U.S. Dollar increased together with the Euro on Friday against the Japanese Yen after a government report showed that the U.S. retail sales accelerated last month suggesting that the U.S. Federal Reserve may trim its stimulus as soon as on the next policy meeting. The U.S. Dollar added 0.2% to 103.59 yen, while the Euro gained 0.2% to 142.43
Global shares declined on Friday session with the world-stock index heading towards the biggest two-day fall in six months as the U.S. Dollar increased to the strongest level in five years versus the Yen after retail sales accelerated suggesting that the Federal Reserve may curb its stimulus. The MSCI world stock index decreased 2.5% in the last two weeks and