The Mexican Peso depreciated 0.1% to 12.6958 per U.S. Dollar in the end of Mexico City trading session on Thursday. The Peso dropped on a negative data form Europe, as the European economy contracted more than economists predicted and damped the economic outlook for the global growth. The Peso was indifferent with the U.S. jobless claims, which dropped by 27,000.
US stocks were steady on Thursday, balancing between better-than-expected US jobless claims numbers and dismal data from the Eurozone. Market players were also cautious ahead of a G20 meeting due to start on Friday. The S&P 500 Index inched up 0.07% to end the session at 1,521.38. Six industries posted gains. The top-performers were oil and gas as well
Wheat futures for May settlement advanced by 0.6% to $7.4475 per one bushel on Chicago Board of Trade during Singapore trading session on Friday. Wheat advanced, but still was ahead to set a fourth weekly drop in a row. Market was trading negatively on U.S. export sales data, which indicated more than doubled volumes as the lowest prices in last
The MSCI Asia Pacific Index was lower by 0.2% to 133.56 points during Asian trading session on Friday. Japanese equity slipped leading by banks and exporters, on speculation that Group 20 will express concern on the Yen's depreciation. The Topix Index, one of the main Japanese equity benchmark, was erasing a 13-week gains, the best winning streak since 1973.
The British Pound was higher by 0.2% to $1.5523 in early London trading session on Friday. The Sterling erased a two-day decline, when reached the lowest point since July 26, 2012. Market waited for a report on the U.K. retail sales data and, according to economists estimation, sales increased by 0.5% following a 0.1% decrease in December.
Crude oil futures for March settlement were lower by 14 cents to $97.17 on the electronic New York Mercantile Exchange during Singapore trading session on Friday. Prices are higher by 5.8% higher from the beginning of this year and oil is headed to set a ninth weekly increase in last ten weeks. Oil is traded positively on increasing interest for the
Farm commodities were bearish on Thursday amid ongoing concerns over ample global supplies and improved weather conditions in the US Great Plains and South America. Weak risk sentiment after disappointing Eurozone's figures as well as firm US Dollar also sent the commodity group lower. Wheat slid as expected snow in the US Great Plains removed a supply risk premium. However,
Energy futures except for natural gas edged higher on Thursday on speculation that OPEC may reduce its output by 1% this month amid tightening supplies from Saudi Arabia. However, weak data from the Eurozone capped gains of the commodity sector. Crude oil moved higher on hopes the OPEC will cut its supplies this month. Adding to gains, US crude oil inventories
Asian shares declined, with Japan's Topix Index set to halt its longest weekly gains in 40 years, as the Yen strengthened and profit reports from Rio Tinto Group and Trend Micro Inc. disappointed investors. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index fell 0.3% to 133.47 at 1:31 p.m. in Hong Kong. Nikkei 225 Stocks Average slipped 1.2% and Australia's SP/ASX 200 Index
The New Zealand Dollar reached the strongest level in more than two years versus the Australian counterpart as the smaller country's retail sales topped economists' expectations, boosting speculation the central bank will increase interest rates. The kiwi fetched NZ$1.2181 per Aussie after rising to NZ$1.2143, the strongest level since July 2010.
Base metals were mixed as risk appetite weakened amid escalated concerns over deepening Eurozone's recession. Putting additional pressure on the commodity complex, weak Eurozone's data pushed the US Dollar higher. Meanwhile, market activity remained subdued as China's markets are closed for Lunar New Year holiday. Aluminum closed near one-month high amid brighter demand prospects. Norilsk Nickel, the third biggest aluminum producer
Precious metals ended Thursday's session in the red territory amid concerns over deepening recession in the Eurozone. The data showed the Eurozone's GDP contracted 0.6% in Q4 of 2012, compared to a forecast of a 0.4% decline. At the same time, signs of strong physical demand limited losses of the commodity sector. Gold dropped after the latest data from the World
The South Korean Won remained stronger this week among Asian currencies on speculation the region's leaders will opt out reining in foreign exchange rates as Japan's Yen rose ahead of G20 meeting. The Won gained as much as 1.7% this week to 1,077.80 per greenback, while Philippine's Peso and Malaysia's Ringgit climbed 0.2% and 0.1% respectively.
The Japanese Yen strengthened before the G20 meeting and amid speculation who will be chosen as the BOJ Governor, with Toshiro Muto being the leading candidate. The Yen climbed as much as 0.6% to 92.31 per U.S Dollar at 1:40 p.m. Tokyo time after rising 0.6% a day earlier. The currency climbed 0.7% to 123.30 against the Euro.
The amount of Americans looking for unemployment benefits dropped sharply last week, which indicated that hiring might improve faster than expected. Weekly unemployment aid applications plunged by 27,000 to seasonally adjusted 341,000, showing steady level of job growth.The applications figures "continue to show no sign of new weakening--if anything, the opposite," said Jim O'Sullivan, an economist at High Frequency Economics.
After exports fell, Germany, the largest Europe's economy contracted more than predictions of economists, with GDP plummeting 0.6% compared to the 3rd quarter, when it advanced 0.2%. There was also seen a significant decline in the Italian and French economies in the fourth quarter, where GDP dropped 0.9% and 0.3% respectively. "The figures released in individual member states so far suggest
Farm commodities were divided on Wednesday, with sugar and wheat moving higher and coffee and corn declining. Broadly stronger greenback and expectations that upcoming USDA report will show a drop in grains exports pushed the commodity complex lower. Wheat ended on the positive note on hopes for better demand for US exports. Iraq and Bangladesh are seeking to buy 50,000
Energy futures were mixed on Wednesday after bullish EIA crude oil inventory report. Sending energy futures higher, the OPEC hiked its global demand outlook for 2013 by 100,000 barrels per day. However, strong US Dollar created notable pressure on the commodity group. Crude oil retreated despite much smaller-than-expected increase in the US crude oil stockpiles last week. The EIA reported
Industrial metals were mixed on Wednesday, balancing between positive economic data releases from the EU and US and increased caution ahead of a G20 meeting due later in the week. Lack of China's demand also weighed. China's markets are closed this week for Chinese New Year holiday. Moreover, elevated LME inventories added pressure on base metals. Aluminum was the top-performer after
Precious metals apart from platinum were bearish on Wednesday as investors turned to safe-haven assets such as the US Dollar ahead of a G20 meeting scheduled later in the week. At the same time, positive data from the EU and US provided support for the commodity complex. Gold slid despite upbeat industrial production data from Germany and positive US retail
The Pound weakened for a third consecutive day versus the Euro, falling toward the lowest level in 15 months as the Bank of England Governor Mervyn King said the nation's growth is likely to be slow with a lot of challenges ahead. The Sterling fell 0.7% to 86.51 pence per Euro after sliding to 87.17 pence February 1, the lowest
Asian shares rose as the Bank of Japan kept its asset-buying programme unchanged. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index gained as much as 0.3% to 135.65 at 2:09 p.m. in Hong Kong, poised for the highest close in 18 months. Japan's Nikkei 225 Stock Average added 0.5% and Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index advanced 0.9%, while Australia's S&P/ASX 200 Index climbed
The South Korean Won advanced as the nation's central bank kept the key interest rate unchanged and ahead of G20 meeting at which officials will discuss currency devaluations. The Won rose as much as 0.2% to 1,084.80 per U.S. Dollar in early trading hours in Seoul after earlier climbing to 1,084.27, close to the highest level since February 6.
The New Zealand Dollar strengthened to 2.5-year high versus the Australian counterpart as manufacturing activity increased last month, increasing chances the RBNZ will raise its key interest rate. The kiwi advanced as much as 0.4% to NZ$1.2219 per Aussie as of 4:46 p.m. in Sydney, after rising to NZ$1.2197, the strongest since July 2010.