Japanese equities jumped, reaching their highest level since March 10 in the year 2011, the day before earthquake, as the Yen keeps weakening and the new government aims at more monetary easing. Investors are very optimistic about the new government, as Abe intends to change the BOJ's inflation target and push the bank for an aggressive monetary policy. The Nikkei
U.S. blue chips finished sharply lower on Wednesday on mounting concerns over the final version of the U.S. budget deal and slumping retailers, as equity markets were closed for the Christmas Holiday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.2%, or 24.49 points to 13,114.59. All but one sector out of nine inched lower with basic materials being the only gainer
U.S. equities extended their losses for the third consecutive day, as retailers shrank after the Christmas holiday pairing with concerns about the final outcome of the nation's budget negotiations. The S&P 500 index dropped 0.5% to 1,419.83 on Wednesday. Nine out of 10 groups in the index inched lower, with basic materials being the only sector surging. Cliffs Natural Resources
Swiss UBS indicator of private consumption fell slightly in November on a smaller number of hotel stays by Swiss nationals and a decline in new car registrations, according to the UBS report. The indicator fell from 1.30 in October to 1.23 in November."The positive trend in the business situation in the retail industry and the continuing high number of new
Profit growth of Chinese industrial firms accelerated in November signing a recovery of domestic economy after a long period of slow growth, the National Bureau of Statistics reported on Thursday. Year-on-year, China's industrial profits climbed 22.8% in November compared to 20.5% advance in the month before, however the country's growth is forecast to slow down to 7.9% this year, its
Government debt of France fell in the Q3 mainly due to lower level of central government debt, the Insee statistical office reported on Thursday. Public debt declined by 13.8 billion Euro compared to the Q2, when it went down from a level of 91% to 89.9% of the country's output, while net debt to GDP added to 81.1% in the
The British currency recorded a little change against the U.S. Dollar before a November's report of bank lending for home purchases in U.K. would be released, when it climbed to $1.6141. Sterling also gained versus Japanese Yen amid speculations the Bank of Japan will try to boost the economy starting its unlimited monetary stimulus program, as the British Pound advanced
After Christmas holidays, shares in Europe were steady on Thursday as U.S. President Barack Obama is prepared for another round of negotiations in order to avoid tax hikes and spending cuts after January 1. European shares opened at 1137 points, when London's FTSE 100, Paris's CAC-40 and Frankfurt's DAX recorded changes in a range of 0.1% lower and 0.4% higher.
Farm commodities were mixed in post-holiday trade on Wednesday. Improved risk sentiment due to hopes for US fiscal deadlock resolution was supportive for rural commodities. At the same time, weak US export data weighted on grains.Wheat was the top-loser after the USDA reported that US exports dropped 9.1% to reach the lowest level since 2009 in the week ended December
Energy futures advanced on Wednesday on hopes that US officials will resolve the budget impasse thus avoiding recession in the country. Moreover, larger-than-expected increase in the US home prices in October as well as weaker greenback spurred rally of the commodity group. Crude oil rebounded on expectations that US lawmakers will reach an agreement on fiscal policy before the January
Base metals were bearish over the last week as market players were worried about lack of progress in the US fiscal standoff. Moreover, weak industrial figures from the US added pressure on the industrial metals. Richmond Fed manufacturing index slumped to 5.0 in December in contrast to forecasts of an increase to 12.0 this month. However, the reading above 0.0
Precious metals climbed in post-holiday session, being boosted by weaker US Dollar. However, safe-haven appeal of the commodity group was dampened by mounting hopes that US lawmakers will manage to avert so-called fiscal cliff. US President Barack Obama is expected to return to Washington on Thursday to participate in fiscal talks.Gold added 0.10% despite softer demand for safe-haven assets amid
Oil traded near a two-month high as U.S. lawmakers were ready to resume negotiations to avoid ‘fiscal cliff'. Brent for February delivery declined 19 cents to $110.88 a barrel, while prices yesterday rose $2.27, or 2.1%. WTI for February settlement traded at $90.94 a barrel, and futures climbed $2.37 to $90.98 yesterday.
Asian stocks rose on caution as U.S. officials were ready to resume talks on how to avoid spending cuts and tax increases. The MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific stocks excluding Japan rose 0.3%, with Australian stocks gaining also 0.3%. Hong Kong shares climbed 0.4% to near the highest level in 17 months, while Shanghai steadied after rising to the highest
The Australian Dollar weakened against all 16 major peers as US lawmakers were ready to resume ‘fiscal cliff' talks. The Aussie dollar lost 0.3% to $1.0349 at 4:07 p.m. in Sydney, set for a 0.8% drop this month. The currency bought 88.81 yen from 88.87 a day earlier. The New Zealand Dollar remained unchanged at 81.98 U.S. cents from yesterday.
Taiwan's dollar advanced to the highest level in December as overseas investors increased their holdings of the nation's assets. The Taiwan dollar gained 0.3% to NT$29.040 versus the greenback at 10:14 a.m. Taipei time. The currency fetched NT$29.019 on December 3, the highest level since November 13, and has appreciated 4.3% this year.
Japan's currency fell to the lowest level in 16 months versus the Euro ahead of data, which may show Japan's consumer prices decline, fanning speculation Shinzo Abe will push the BPJ to boost cash injections. The Yen fetched 113.65 per Euro, the lowest since August 4, 2011, before being at 113.60, down 0.3% from yesterdays close. It dropped 0.3% to
Most Russian equities edged higher on Wednesday on soaring crude oil. However, the gains were capped by Consumer goods and services that stayed unchanged on concerns the U.S. lawmakers will fail to reach a budget deal until the deadline. The Micex Index advanced 0.2% to 1,475.79 by 3:45 p.m. in Moscow. The index has advanced 5.3% so far this year.
Most emerging-market equities advanced today on better earnings prospects for Chinese companies, yet investors are concerned over whether the U.S. lawmakers will compromise on resolving "fiscal cliff" before the deadline. Indian shares also slightly increased amid investors adding to their domestic shares' holdings. Meanwhile, India, having one of the worst performing currencies, faces inflation and economic slowdown that the nation
South Korean Stocks stayed flat on Wednesday, while data indicated the nation's consumer confidence failed to improve in December. The KOSPI index increased 0.02%, or 0.43 points, to 1,982.25, advancing from its previous close at 1,981.82. The KOSPI's turnover was at 3.5 trillion Korean won that was only 80% of its 30-session daily weighted average. Five out of nine sectors
Japanese equities gained on speculation the nation's new prime minister would launch more aggressive fiscal and monetary policies. The new prime minister Shinzo Abe pledged for more monetary easing and big government spending to recover the Japanese economy from its fourth recession. Meanwhile, the yen weakened to its lowest level since April 2011, boosting up the shares of exporting companies.
Most emerging-market equities advanced today on better earnings prospects for Chinese companies, yet investors are concerned over whether the U.S. lawmakers will compromise on resolving "fiscal cliff" before the deadline. Indian shares also slightly increased amid investors adding to their domestic shares' holdings. In addition, India, having one of the worst performing currencies, faces inflation and economic slowdown that the
South Korean equities stayed flat on Wednesday, while data indicated the nation's consumer confidence failed to improve in South Korean equities stayed flat on Wednesday, while data indicated the nation's consumer confidence failed to improve in December. The KOSPI index increased 0.02%, or 0.43 points, to 1,982.25, advancing from its previous close at 1,981.82. The KOSPI's turnover was at 3.5
Japanese equities gained on speculation the nation's new prime minister would launch more aggressive fiscal and monetary policies. The new prime minister Shinzo Abe pledged for more monetary easing and big government spending to recover the Japanese economy from its fourth recession. Meanwhile, the yen weakened to its lowest level since April 2011, boosting up the shares of exporting companies.