The Australian Dollar was traded higher by 0.1% to 98.18 per U.S. cents in the of Sydney trading session on Tuesday. The pair holds the biggest increase in two months versus the greenback ahead Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke testimony in Congress tomorrow. Investors speculate that U.S. policy makers might reduce bond purchases.
The South Korean Won was higher by 0.2% to 1,114.68 per U.S. Dollar in the morning of Seoul trading session on Tuesday. The currency strengthened on speculation that the lowest value of the Won in four weeks will encourage some domestic exporters to exchange overseas proceeds.
The Japanese Yen depreciated by 0.2% to 102.49 per U.S. Dollar in the second part of Tokyo trading session on Tuesday. The currency slipped as Japan's Economy Minister Akira Amari made an effort to downplay his weekend remarks about slowing Yen weakness.
West Texas Intermediate oil was traded close to its highest level in almost a 2-month period on Tuesday as investor awaited the U.S. report to show that stockpiles in the country dropped for the second straight time this year. WTI for June settlement was traded 9 cents higher at $96.80 a barrel on the NYMEX as of 2:05 p.m. in
All industries activity index in Japan dropped in April from the previous month, the rate of contraction was in line with economists' expectations, the latest report revealed by the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry unveiled on Tuesday. The report showed that the All Industries Activity Index slipped to -0.3% in April from the March's level of 0.6%.
Leading index of economic activity in Australia edged higher for the third successive month in the month of March largely due to gains from building approvals, a data unveiled by the Conference Board showed on Tuesday. According to the data, the Board's leading index rose by 0.1% in March, while the Coincident Index measuring current conditions added 0.2%.
Producer prices in Germany eased for the third straight month in April, a report released by the Federal Statistical Office showed on Tuesday. According to the report, the producer price inflation rose annually by 0.1% in April after a 0.4% gain recorded in the previous month, while economists had expected prices to expand by 0.2%.
The Thai central bank's governor indicated that rates might be cut, when the committee meets on May 29, due to slowing growth . The comment comes after Thailand reported 5.3% increase in GDP which missed expectations of 6% and forced the authorities to revise future projections downwards. The Finance Minister urged for rate cuts, but noted that government does not plan
The RBA cut rates to 2.75% this month - the lowest in country's history as conditions for businesses has deteriorated due to the strengthening Aussie. The central bank aims at re-balancing growth from regions with big mining industries to regions with building and manufacturing activities. Accommodative monetary policy already improved conditions in housing market, which is expected to increase investment in real
Copper swung between gains and losses on Tuesday before China's data were published and as the U.S. Federal Reserve may scale back stimulus measures as the economic outlook improves. Copper for August delivery traded on the London Metal Exchange was traded at $7,397 a metric ton as of 11:19 a.m. Tokyo time following a fall to $7,360 and a gain
Gold fluctuated on Tuesday as investors waited for result of the Federal Reserve meeting in Congress tomorrow and after Fed's Chairman Ben Bernanke signaled less stimulus as the economic outlook improves. Spot gold was traded at $1.395.66 an ounce as of 2:2 p.m. Singapore time after swinging between gains and losses of 0.6% at least, while it dropped to $1,338.85
Most of China's shares dropped on Tuesday after gains of solar companies were overshadowed by declines by health-care and phone companies. The Shanghai Composite Index slid by 0.2% to 2,295.44 at 1:06 p.m. Shanghai time with six stocks falling for every five that climbed, while the CSI Index decreased by 0.3% to 2,602.72 and the Hang Seng China Enterprises Index
The Russian Dollar strengthened by 0.6% to 31.2410 against the U.S. Dollar and 0.4% to 35.2810 versus a basket of Dollar and Euroin the second part of trading session in Moscow on Monday. The currency advanced the most since 29th of April, as Russian companies exchanged export revenue into domestic currency to pay local taxes. According to economists, Russian companies paid about 200 million
Asian shares swung between gains and drops on Tuesday as Australian banks declined after Goldman Sachs Group Inc. sold a stake in Industrial & Commercial Bank of China Ltd. and as Tokyo Electric Power Co. rose. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index slipped by 0.1% to 144.27 at 2:19 p.m. Hong Kong time following an increase of 0.1% recorded earlier on
U.S. Treasuries were little changed on Tuesday pushing the benchmark 10-year yields towards the highest level in two months as Chairman of the Federal Reserve Ben Bernanke discussed outlook of the economy and possible tapping of monetary stimulus. U.S. 10-year bonds yielded at 1.965% at 6:42 a.m. London time after they rose to 1.98% on May 15.
The majority of emerging-market shares increased on Tuesday as the advance was led by industrial and solar companies, while financial companies fell. The MSCI Emerging Market Index was traded at 1,047.97 as of 1:36 p.m. Hong Kong time with 253 stocks gaining and 245 stocks falling, whereas the South Korea's Kospi Index dropped 0.2% and the Jakarta Composite Index slid
Credit card spending in New Zealand advanced in April reversing last month's decline, the latest figures revealed by the Reserve Bank of New Zealand showed on Tuesday. Credit card spending gained 0.4% on a monthly basis in April after recording a 0.3% decline in the month before, while on an annual basis spending increased by 4% in April.
Inflation in New Zealand is expected to sink to the weakest level in almost fourteen years in the quarter ended in June, while one and 2-year forecast of the jobless rate has fallen by 0.3%, a survey published by the Reserve Bank of New Zealand showed on Tuesday. 2-year forecast of the consumer price index dropped from 2.17% projected in
China reported trade surplus of $61 billion in Q1, while it might be only $6 billion after taking into account fake transactions, according to the Bank of America. It would be the smallest Q1 trade balance since 2004 and lower than $18.8 billion surplus in the same period a year earlier. Export growth is slowing due to the strengthening Yuan and the
China's shares advanced on Monday pushing the regional benchmark index to the strongest level in a seven-week period as brokerages increased amid higher trading volumes among Asian stocks. The Shanghai Composite Index climbed for the fourth straight session gaining 0.8% closing at 2,299.99, the most since March 27, while The CSI 300 Index rose 0.7% to 2,609.61.
Industrial new orders in Italy advanced in March from the month before largely due to a 3.6% increase in non-domestic demand and a 0.2% gain in domestic orders, the statistical office Istat reported on Monday. The report showed that industrial new orders climbed by 1.6% in March, however, on an annual basis orders slipped 10% in March.
Current account balance of Italy came in surplus in March after it recorded a deficit in the month before, a report released by the Bank of Italy showed on Monday. According to the report, the surplus of current account was at 1.9 billion euros in March after February's deficit of 1.56 billion euros, while the goods account surplus was at
Asian shares increased on Monday rising for the first time in a three-day period with the local benchmark index heading to the strongest level since June 2008 after a report showed that consumer sentiment in the U.S. rose more than expected. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index advanced 1.2% to 144.25 at 8:13 p.m. Tokyo time and it has added 12%
The British Sterling increased on Monday rebounding from the lowest level in six weeks against the U.S. Dollar after the a report showed that house prices in the U.K. advanced for the fifth successive month in May. The Pound rose 0.2% to $1.5196 as of 10:41 a.m. in London following a fall to $1.5158 on May 17, the weakest level