Construction sector in the United Kingdom continued to contract in April, but at a slower rate than the month before, the latest figures released by the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Logistics showed on Thursday. The construction sector purchasing managers index moved up to 49.4 in April from 47.2 in March recording the slowest fall in sector's activity in the
Initial claims for unemployment benefits in the U.S. fell surprisingly to the lowest level in 5 years in the week ended on April 27, according to a data released by the Labor Department on Thursday. The data showed that jobless claims dropped to 324,000 from the previous week's level of 342,000, while economists forecast the figure to record 345,000.
Trade balance of the U.S. came in deficit in March, however, the gap narrowed as the value of imports fell at a faster pace than the value of exports, the Commerce Department reported on Thursday. The report showed that the deficit fell from a level of $43.6 billion recorded in February to $38.8 billion in March, while it was expected
Labour productivity in the world's largest economy bounced back from losses recorded in the last three months of 2012, however, the rate of growth was below forecast, the Labor Department reported on Thursday. According to the report labour productivity moved up by 0.7% in the Q1 reversing a 1.7% drop recorded in the previous quarter.
Coffee futures traded in New York are set for the largest gain in a four-month period amid speculations that the world's biggest producer of the commodity, Brazil, will limit supplies with government price supports. Arabica coffee for delivery in two months gained 3.5% to $1.3935 earlier on Thursday New York session heading for the biggest rise since January 2.
The British Pound appreciated versus the 17-nation bloc currency on Thursday after the U.K. report showed that construction in the country improved, and as the ECB's President Mario Draghi said the Eurozone's finance ministers are open for negative interest rates. The Sterling added 0.6% to 84.14 pence per euro and it was 0.3% down at $1.5505.
The South Korean Won strengthened 0.1% to 1,100.20 per U.S. Dollar since 30th of April in the morning of Seoul trading session Thursday. The exchange rate touched 1,098.15, what is the strongest level since 13th of March. The Won gainedas a domestic trade surplus was announced and Fed stimulus program spurred speculation that investors will purchase more emerging-market assets.
The Australia's 10-year bonds were eight basis points lower, or 0.08%, to 3.02% in Asia's trading session on Thursday. Bonds reached a 5-month low on concern that the global economy faces a slowdown. German manufacturing sector contracted and China's industry expanded slower what reduced a risk appetite in the market.
European equities ware little changed on Thursday after the majority of local markets reopened after yesterday's Labor Day holiday as companies showered their earnings reports and investors await the result from the policy meeting of the ECB. The benchmark Euro Stoxx 50 Index fell 0.1% to 2,666 earlier on Thursday London session, while the Stoxx 600 Index recorded an 11th
Gold price for immediate delivery edged lower by 0.5% to 1,4456.65 an ounce in the morning of Singapore trading session on Thursday. The precious metal retreated 0.9% yesterday, what was the biggest fall since 15th of April, when the price lost 9.3% of its value. Investors reduced their bullion inventories on concern that Federal Reserve will cut its stimulus programme.
Palm oil futures for July delivery was lower by 1.2% to 2,258 ringgit on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives during Asian trading session on Thursday. The price slipped to the lowest level since 23th of April and dropped 3.9% in April. Palm oil price decreases, as crude oil edges lower on better than expected stockpiles data in the U.S. reducing the
Corn and wheat prices advanced on Thursday amid speculation that the yields may be boosted amid worsening crop conditions and slower process of planting in the U.S., the world's largest exporter of the commodities. July Corn futures rose 0.2% to $6.48 a bushel on the CBOT and was traded at $6.475 as of 9:56 a.m. Singapore time, while wheat for
Rubber fell on Thursday dropping to a more-than-a-week low as the Japanese Yen increased reducing demand for yen-denominated futures and after the U.S. government reported weaker performance of the economy and falling payrolls. Rubber for October delivery slid 3.4% to 250.8 yen a kilogram or $2,578 a metric ton, the lowest figure of most-active contract since April 24.
West Texas Intermediate oil was traded close to the lowest level in more than one week on Thursday after the U.S. government reported that inventories in the country rose to the strongest level in 82 years. WTI for delivery next month was traded at $90.87 a barrel on the NYMEX, while yesterday it decreased $2.43 to close at $91.03, recording
Emerging-market shares decreased for the second straight session on Thursday amid concerns that global economy is slowing down after reports showed that Chinese manufacturing output and exports from South Korea fell last month. The MSCI Emerging Market Index slipped 0.1% to 1,037.22 as of 1:27 p.m. Hong Kong time.
Chinese stocks declined on Thursday pushing the local benchmark index down after a three-day holiday with no trading as a report showed slower growth of the economy and companies showed their earnings. The Shanghai Composite slid 0.2% to 2,174.32, the CSI 300 Index was traded at 2,447.69 and the Hang Seng China Enterprise Index declined 0.9%.
Asian equities dropped for the second day in a row after payroll and manufacturing reports from the U.S. showed that the world's largest economy is expanding at slower pace and as the Japanese currency added increasing outlook for Japan's exporters' earnings. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index lost 0.5% to 140.74 at 2:04 p.m. Tokyo time with 5 shares losing for
Japanese equities declined on Wednesday with the benchmark index falling after it recorded the largest monthly growth since 1999 after earning reports released by carmakers and chemical sector companies disappointed investors. The Topix Index decreased by 0.6% to 1,158.37 with about nine shares dropping for every seven rising, while the index recorded a 13% gain in April.
Job growth in the U.S. private sector eased down to the lowest level in seven month in April signing that the U.S. labour market continues to slow down, a report released by the Automatic Data Processing Inc. unveiled on Wednesday. The report showed that private sector employment rose by 119,000 jobs in April after it added 131,000 jobs in the
Manufacturing sector activity in the U.K. continued to contract, but the pace of contraction was lower than preliminary estimated in April, as new orders recorded an increase suggesting that the economy might be gathering momentum in the Q2. The manufacturing sector Purchasing Managers Index grew from 48.6 points in March to 49.8 in April.
Slovenia's credit rating was downgraded by Moody's Investors Service to ‘junk' on Tuesday bringing up concerns that the country will be the next one asking for a EU bailout. At the same time, Moody's cut the Slovenian government bond rating from Baa2 to Ba1 and set the outlook to ‘negative' amid uncertain funding environment as the nation has problems meeting
Sugar traded on New York's ICE Futures U.S. swung between drops and gains on Wednesday amid speculation that the amount of exchange-delivered sweetener will be higher that estimated. Raw sugar with delivery in two months dropped as much as 0.1% to 17.58 cents a pound as of 6:33 a.m. following a 0.5% increase earlier today.
Gold positions in exchange-traded products tumbled 174 metric tons in April recording the biggest monthly fall all-time after prices started to drop and reduced the funds value by $17.9 billion as investors seek for riskier assets amid optimistic global economy outlook. June gold futures declined 0.5% to $1,465.40 an ounce on the Comex, while prices are down 13% in 2013.
Brent crude traded in London dropped for the second straight session on Wednesday after production of OPEC rose in April to the highest level in 5 months, when it grew by 194,000 barrels a day and as U.S. inventories gained first time in 3 weeks. June Brent futures slipped $1.83 to $100.54 a barrel on London's ICE and were traded