Energy Information Administration reported on Wednesday that the amount of crude oil inventories grew by 2.00 million barrels and reached 359.1 million barrels, compared to a 7.42 million barrels decline over the preceding month in the previous week. Analysts, however, expected that crude oil inventories would decline by 2.59 million barrels.
Futures for natural gas were lower in U.S. morning trading session on Wednesday, as traders were locking gains from a rally which brought prices to a 5-week high. On the NYMEX, October delivery futures for natural gas were traded at USD2.961 a MMBtu, which was a 1.05% fall for the U.S. morning trade. Earlier, prices rose by 1.4%, being traded at USD3.036 per MMBtu.
On Wednesday, the Euro was traded near a 4-month high versus the Greenback, after the constitutional court in Germany approved the bailout fund, and amid continuing speculations about Fed's further monetary stimulus. The EUR/USD pair hit a 4-month high of 1.2936 and consolidated at 1.2905, which was a 0.40% gain for the U.S. morning trading session.
Eurostat reported on Wednesday that Eurozone's industrial output in July gained 0.6%, offsetting the decline which occurred in the preceding month. Analysts, however, expected that the output would fall by 0.1%. Year over year, the industrial production fell by 2.3% in July, whereas in June it declined by 2.1%. Following the release of the data, the 17-nation currency remained higher versus the Greenback, adding 0.23% to
Crude oil futures turned lower after U.S. government's report showed oil supplies rose surprisingly last week. Crude with October contract inched lower 0.21% to $69.93 per barrel. U.S. crude oil stockpiles jumped 2 million barrels in the week ended September 7, beating expectations for a decline of 2.6 million barrels.
Gold futures soared on Wednesday, reaching six-month high, as German Federal Constitutional Court cleared the way for Eurozone rescue fund. Bullion for December settlement jumped 0.38% to $1741.40 per ounce. Elsewhere on the Comex, silver and palladium for December settlement added 0.46% and 0.70%, respectively. At the same time, October copper erased 0.39%.
U.S. import prices jumped for a first time in five months in August, as fuel prices rose. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics said on Wednesday, the prices paid for U.S. import rose by a seasonally adjusted 0.7% in August, compared to expectations for a 1.4% increase. The cost of petroleum imports jumped 4.1%, pushing overall import prices higher.
U.S. stocks edged higher on Wednesday, after a German court said it would not block ratification of the Eurozone's rescue fund. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.3%, to 13,328; the Standard & Poor 500 Index gained 0.3%, to 1,435.10, while Nasdaq-100 futures jumped 0.4%, to 2,791.25.
Japanese core machinery orders surged in July, mostly led by an increase in manufacturing sector orders. Machinery orders, which is a leading indicator of corporate capital investment, jumped 4.6% from the prior month, after adding 5.6% in June, the Cabinet Office said on Wednesday. Manufacturing sector orders rocketed 12%, sign manufacturers are more confident about Japanese economy.
The number of filed unemployment benefit claims in the U.K. declined the most in more than two years in August, as the economy created more jobs in order to curb the recession. Jobless benefit claims fell 15,000 to 1.57 million, the Office for National Statistics reported on Wednesday. Employment rose by 236,000 to overall 29.6 million, posting the biggest gain in two years.
German Federal Constitutional Court cleared the way for Eurozone rescue fund on Wednesday. The European Stability Mechanism of total value of the 500 billion euro aimed to provide financial assistance to Eurozone's countries in financial difficulty. Moreover, German Court gave parliament veto powers over any future increases in the size of the fund.
The major European stocks index Stoxx Europe 50 gained 0.98% to 2,582.84 on early London trading session. Index gained a second day after the top German court approved country's participation in Eurozone's bailout fund with certain conditions. This decision increased confidence in the market that governments will not let economies get worse.
European stock futures were slightly positive as Euro Stoxx 50 index was up by 0.1% to 2,562 on late Asian trading hour. Investors keep positions on hold till German top constitutional court announce decision on the country's participation in the €500 billion Euro region bailout fund. The court announces its verdict at 10 a.m.
U.S. 5-year notes outperformed 2- and 10-year treasuries in terms of price due to the so-called butterfly spread estimate of value. The spread was negative at 54.61 basis points on Wednesday, after slipping to -54.86 points on Sept. 10, the record low since 2006. The Fed has decreased benchmark rates to near zero percent.
Finland's retail sales increased as a pace of 3.8% in July from the previous year, compared to a 5.7% advance in July, Statistics Finland reported on Wednesday. In total trade surged 2.1%, while motor vehicle sales slipped 15.2% on year. In the first half of 2012, retail sales rose 5.1% and wholesale trade 5.2% from a year ago.
Germany's HICP advanced 2.2% in August from 1.9% in the preceding month, Federal Statistical Office said on Wednesday. On monthly basis, the HICP rose upwardly revised 0.4% in July. Meanwhile, CPI added 2.1% on year in August, from 1.7% in previous month and above forecast of 2%. Increase was lead by a 7.6% climb in energy prices.
The BSE India Sensitive Index increased by 0.5% to 17,934.91 on the first half of trading session in Mumbai. Indian index was up for a six day, longest winning period since January, and lifted the benchmark above six-month high. Investors traded with optimism as domestic data showed economic slowdown and fueled speculation that the central bank will cut the key rate. The Indian central bank
The Canadian Dollar rose to a 13-month high against the U.S. peer amid optimism measures taken by policymakers in Europe and the U.S. will reduce volatility. The Loonie strengthened for a fourth straight day ahead of policy meeting of the Fed. Canada's currency gained 0.5% to 97.30 cents per U.S. Dollar. One Canada's Dollar buys $1.02775.
The U.S. Dollar fell to the lowest level in 4 months versus the Euro ahead of the Fed's two-day meeting on speculation it will launch asset-purchase programme to stimulate the nation's economy. The Dollar stayed lower against all of its major peers following a decrease yesterday after Moody's said it may cut the nation's Aaa rating. The greenback lost 0.2%
Australian currency reached a three-week high as belief the U.S. and China will step up efforts to support world's largest economies fueled demand for riskier assets. The Aussie advanced 0.3% to $1.0470, after hitting $1.0480, the highest since Aug.23. It gained 0.5% to 81.52 Yen. Meanwhile, New Zealand's Dollar rose 0.3% to 82 U.S. cents and 0.5% to 63.85 Yen.
Asian stocks showed positive performance as the MSCI Asia Pacific Index was up by 1% to 120.47 in the middle of Tokyo trading session. Today's trading extended gain of last four days and that was the longest winning period since July. Markets moved up after the ECB positive decision on unlimited bond-buying plan and continue to gain on speculation that China's and U.S. policy makers
French annual inflation posted a more-then-estimated increase in August, the Insee reported on Wednesday. The CPI surged 0.7% on month, compared to a 0.4% decline in July and exceeding forecasts of a 0.6% rise. On yearly basis, CPI advanced 2.1% in August after 1.9% in the previous month, rise was mostly due to a climb in energy prices.
Hong Kong stocks opened significantly higher on Wednesday, getting on path to 5th rally day, as Chinese premier announced the country will face its expansion target for 2012, and as stronger closing on Wall Street supported sentiment. The Hang Seng Index surged 1% to 20,061.57 and the Hang Seng China Enterprises Index rallied 1.4% to 9,507.04.
On Tuesday, September 11, Moody's Investors Service warned that it may cut the U.S's AAA rating, if budget negotiations for 2013 do not result in policy measures, which will reduce the nation's debt. According to the Congressional Budget Office, the budget deficit is going to reach $1.1 trillion in 2012, down from $1.3 trillion in the preceding year.