U.S. stock futures rose, showing that the Standard & Poor's 500 Index would reach the highest in five years after finance ministers of Euro-area prepared to gather and examine aid to Greece and Cyprus. Contracts on the S&P 500 gained 0.2% to 1,515.4 and reached its strongest point since November 2007, while Dow Jones Industrial Average contracts appreciated 0.2%, to
The Japanese currency plunged versus the greenback after Japanese officials consolidated their commitment to schemes that may debase the currency. The Yen slid 0.6% to 93.22 per greenback and declined 0.8% to 124.82 per Euro, while the 17-nation currency strengthened 0.2% to $1.3388 after plunging to $1.3325, the weakest since January.
Governing Board member of Swiss National Bank Fritz Zurbruegg indicated that the Franc is too strong and uncertainty concerning Europe still makes the SNB currency cap necessary. Although the currency dropped 1.6% versus the shared currency this year, it's still 11% stronger than the average of five years and 27% higher than on October 2007 (1.6828). The Franc slid 0.3%
Australian home-loan approvals declined for third month, and the amount of first-home buyers plunged to the lowest in eight-and-a-half years after central bank interest-rate decline failed to attract customers into the market. The amount of loans granted for purchase or construction of houses and apartments slumped 1.5% and report depicted that the overall value of loans declined 2.6% to A$20.8
Last week, the Dow Jones industrial Average breached the technical and psychological resistance level of 14,000 during the session, as companies kept reporting corporate earnings that topped the estimates. The Dow Jones Index gained 0.4% on Friday to close at 13,992.97. Six out of nine groups in the gauge edged higher with technology shares taking the leading position. Hewlett-Packard jumped
The Pound Sterling debased versus the Euro after a report indicated job vacancies offered by London financial-services companies rose 76% in January. The Pound slid 0.7% to 85.11 pence per Euro, the most since January, while it plunged 0.5% to $1.572, the strongest since February.
Brent traded near the highest level in nine month after advancing for the fourth week. It is said that world powers will not be able to stop Iran's technological progress. Brent for March delivery slid by 29 cents to $118.61 a barrel, while the contracts rose $1.66 to $118.90, the strongest since May. Meanwhile WTI oil for March settlement stood
European equities climbed the most in four weeks, yet capping a weekly decline, as data on Chinese exports topped analysts' estimates and investors became more optimistic on the global economy. In addition, the adjusted German exports soared 0.3% in December from January. The DAX Index advanced as much as 0.63%, or 49.68 points, to 7,639.00 by 4:06 p.m. in Frankfurt.
U.K. equities edged higher after China posted better than expected trade data and European policy makers prepared to consolidate the budget for the first time in the European Union history. The FTSE 100 Index advanced 0.5%, or 31.47 points, to 6,259.89 by 15:59 p.m. in London, pairing the first weekly loss in two months. All but two sectors in the
Hong Kong blue chips advanced as data on Chinese exports topped the estimates and inflation choked. Gaming stocks climbed as report showed Macau hotels are fully booked for the Lunar New Year Holiday. The Hang Seng index rose 0.2% to 23,215.16 after earlier sliding as much as 0.3%. Five out of nine groups in the index advanced at least 0.1%
Japanese equities dropped, sending down the Nikkei 225 Stock average from its longest weakly gains since 1959 on growing concerns about the Eurozone recovery. The Nikkei 225 Index slumped 1.8% to 11,153.16, posting a 0.3% this week. All sectors in the gauge edged lower. Sony Corporation erased as much as 10.1% to 1,365 yen, the most in four years, as
U.S. shares slumped on Thursday, halting their two-day advance this week, as companies reported lower-than-expected profits and European policy makers said the common currency's advance could slow down the economic recovery in Euro-area. The Dow Jones Industrial Average decreased 0.3%, or 42.47 points, to 13,944.05.All but two groups in the benchmark index edged lower with technology sector tumbling the most
The Canadian currency slips lower by 0.2% to 99.72 cents per U.S. Dollar in the end of Toronto trading session on Tuesday. Canada's currency depreciated from the strongest level in last two weeks as investors risk appetite decreased after the ECB said that they are concerned about the strong Euro and its potential damage for a region economic growth and
The Euro was traded at $1.3403 in early London trading session on Friday. The major currency pair is ahead of a 1.7% weekly drop, which is the steepest since July, 2012. Markets were trading negatively after European Central Bank President Mario Draghi announcement that the recent Euro gains may ease inflation and growth, as competitiveness of regional assets decreases.
Farm commodities followed a downward trend on Thursday on broadly stronger US Dollar. Moreover, favorable weather conditions in the EU, Russia and Ukraine weighed on grains. Bearish USDA export data and anticipation of Wasde report due on Friday also pushed the commodity group lower. Wheat dipped after FAO reported the EU winter crop conditions are favorable. FAO added crop conditions in
Energy futures were mixed on Thursday amid firm US Dollar and weak numbers from the US job market. Comments by Mario Draghi that the ECB will stick to its accommodative monetary policy provided mild support for the commodity group. Crude oil moved lower on solid greenback and disappointing US numbers. However, slightly smaller-than-expected gain in the US crude oil inventories
Base metals ended Thursday's session in the negative territory as solid greenback put notable pressure on the commodity group. Weak numbers from the US labour market and increased caution ahead of China's trade data also dragged industrial metals lower. Aluminum was steady amid elevated LME inventories and hopes for solid demand from automobile producers. Meanwhile, expectations that production cuts by
Precious metals tumbled on Thursday after Mario Draghi said the ECB will maintain its loose monetary policy. He also added inflation is likely to fall below 2%, putting heavy pressure on the precious metals, which are traditional inflation hedges. Moreover, broadly stronger greenback and mixed US data pushed the commodity complex lower. Gold retreated after comments of Mario Draghi send the
U.K. stocks dropped halting their three-day gains this week after the European Central Bank decided to leave its benchmark unchanged pairing with BOJ's decision to not add further monetary stimulus for the nation's economic recovery. The FTSE 100 index slid 0.3%, or 18.67 points, to 6,276.67. However, the index has still gained 6.4% this year. Seven out of ten
German equities climbed as the ECB left interest rates unchanged and better-than-expected corporate earnings. The DAX index climbed 0.4% to 7,608.78 points. All but two sectors in the index edged higher with consumer goods rallying the most in the index. Among best performers were HeidelbergCement AG that surged 5.1% and Lanxess AG that advanced 4% to pace gains in basic
Hong Kong equities slid as investors took profits on mainland financial shares amid news Chinese Central Bank will switch from supporting growth to tackling inflation. The Hang Seng index tumbled as much as 0.3% to 23,177 points. All but two groups in the index edged lower. New World Development advanced 2.3%, the most in the benchmark gauge, followed by Tingyi
Most of the Japanese blue chips dropped, sending down the Nikkei 22 Stock Average from its highest level since 2008. The Nikkei 225 index slid 0.9% to 11,357.07. All but two groups in the index edged lower with consumer goods, technology and telecommunications pairing biggest losses, as they fell 1.57%, 1.57% and 1.42%, respectively. Nikon corporation led losses in
U.S. shares advanced as companies reported profits that topped the estimates overshadowing the concern on Eurozone's debt crisis. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose as much as 7.22 points, or 0.1%, to 13,986.52. Six out of nine groups in the index advanced with the shares of consumer goods sector soaring the most. Among best performers was 3M Co. that rallied
Farm commodities apart from wheat extended previous losses on Wednesday as investors focused on Wasde report due out on Friday. Speculation that USDA will revise up its grain inventory forecasts created heavy pressure on the commodity complex. Wheat was the only gainer after weather forecasts showed rains expected this weekend are likely to miss the US main growing areas. However,