The negative trade balance of Canada widened sharply in November of 2013, while the actual number was nine times higher than economists predicted, reaching as much as $940 million. Analysts awaited the deficit of $100 million, with $500 million as the worst estimation. Moreover, the trade numbers for October was revised down from a $75 million surplus to $908 million
The U.S. Senate finally approved the Janet Yellen's candidacy as the new Federal Reserve chairwoman, voting 56 to 26, while 11 Republicans supported Yellen as well. Therefore, Janet Yellen will become not only the 15-th head of the Fed, but also the first woman, who will be responsible for monetary policy in the U.S. The second term of Ben Bernanke
European shares advanced, after Monday's drop in the benchmark Stoxx Europe 600 Index, as German unemployment declined the most in two years. The Stoxx 600 added 0.6% to 328.88 as of 1:09 London time; however, the equity-benchmark rallied 17% in 2013. Standard & Poor's 500 Index futures climbed 0.4%, while the MSCI Asia Pacific Index slid 0.4%.
German shares gained after nation's unemployment data showed the biggest fall in two years, indicating on growing sentiment among Germany's companies. The DAX added 0.7% to 9,490.21 as of 1:47 p.m. Frankfurt time and the gauge jumped 25% last year as the ECB kept benchmark interest rates low. The HDAX Index climbed 0.6 today.
Retail sales in Germany jumped as much as 1.5% in November of the current year, while analysts expected a three times smaller increase of 0.5%-0.6%. Experts say that strong retail sales in the biggest economy of the Eurozone are showing that the recovery in the country continues to gain pace. In Germany, retail sales contribute around 25% of all private
U.S. stock-index futures gained, after the benchmark Standard & Poor's 500 Index slid for a third consecutive day, as this week's earning and jobs data were awaited by investors. S&P 500 futures expiring in March rose 0.4% to 1,827.80 as of 8:36 a.m. in New York; however, the equity-benchmark has declined 1.2% from January 2. Dow Jones Industrial Average contracts
The trade deficit of the United States decreased to its smallest value since 2010 in November of this year, indicating that the economic recovery in the country is gaining strength. Moreover, oil prices pushed imports down 1.4%, while exports inched up 0.9% on a monthly basis. The total deficit narrowed to $34.3 billion, declining by 12.9% from October's revised deficit
The British currency reached its highest level versus the greenback in approximately two years on manufacturers and services companies' survey that indicated on nation's improving recovery. The Sterling advanced 0.2% to $1.6430 as of 11:14 a.m. in London, after rising to $1.6603 on January 2, while the currency traded at 83.07 pence per Euro.
Switzerland's Franc declined to the lowest level in two months versus 18-nation currency as Europe's higher-yielding government bond advance reduced demand for the Swiss currency. The Franc fell 0.4% to 1.2368 per Euro at 8:43 a.m. New York time, making it the biggest retreat since December 18, after it touched 1.2373. Switzerland's currency slid 0.3% to 90.69 centimes per Dollar.
French consumer confidence advanced in the last month of 2013 following a declined in the prior month, a report revealed by the statistical office Insee showed on Tuesday. According to the report, the country's consumer confidence index rose from 84 points in November to a level of 85 in the following month, while it was forecast to stay unchanged in
European shares fluctuated on Tuesday trading session before a government report showed that unemployment in the Europe's largest economy declined for the first time in a five-month period. The benchmark index Stoxx Europe 600 decreased less than 0.1% to 326.91 as of 8:01 a.m. London time and it has advanced 5.6% from December 13.
Business confidence in Australia advanced at the beginning of 2014, according to a survey revealed by private company Dun & Bradstreet on Tuesday, with the barometer showing two for every three Australian businesses more optimistic about this year's growth compared to last year. The survey also showed that 18% of businesses are planning to grow their operation accessing new finance
South Korean currency declined on Tuesday slipping to the weakest level in eight weeks as commodities increased snapping a five-day drop as natural gas rose due to raising demand on cold weather in the U.S. The Won shed 0.3% to 1,070.72 a U.S. Dollar as of 2:45 p.m. Tokyo time, while the S&P GSCI Index jumped 0.3% as natural gas
Gold futures swung between gains and losses on Tuesday following an increase towards the strongest level in a three-week period as traders weighed the forecast of rising physical purchases in Asia against falling investment demand. Bullion for January delivery lost and added as much as 0.3% and traded at $1,243.13 an ounce by 2:18 p.m. Singapore time.
The Australian Dollar slipped on Tuesday trading session falling against all of its most-traded peers amid speculation that the recent growth against the U.S. Dollar was too rapid and as report showed investors bet on further decline of the commodity. The so-called Aussie shed 0.6% to 89.18 U.S. cents by 5:17 p.m. Sydney time after it touched the highest level
Emerging-market equities declined on Tuesday pushing the region's benchmark index towards the weakest level in a four-month period on concerns that the world's second largest economy may expand slower as the nation's government reduces lending. The MSCI Emerging Markets Index shed 0.2% to 970.70 as of 2:36 p.m. Hong Kong time.
The European benchmark Brent crude gained on Tuesday trading session after an industry report showed that inventories in the world's largest consumer of the commodity, U.S., advanced 2.5 million barrels last week. Brent for settlement in February added 53 cents to $107.26 per barrel on the London's ICE Futures Europe exchange.
German unemployment rate stayed flat in November on a monthly basis, however year-on-year the jobless rate declined on the month, a report published by the Federal Statistical Office showed on Tuesday. German jobless rate recorded 5.2% in November, the same level as in the previous month, while in November 2012 the rate stood at 5.4%.
Australia's recorded a deficit of trade in goods and services in the month of November, however the shortfall was lower than economists originally expected as imports dropped, the latest report published by National Bureau of Statistics showed on Tuesday. According to the report, the nation's trade in goods and services came in deficit of 118 million Australian Dollars.
Retail sales in the Europe's largest economy accelerated on a sequential basis in November following a drop in the previous two months, a report revealed by the statistical office Destatis showed on Tuesday. The country's retail sales grew 1.5% on a monthly basis in November following declines by 0.8% and 0.1% in October and September respectively.
A gauge of business activity in emerging-market countries accelerated at a weaker rate in the last month of 2013 mainly due to a slow-down in service sector especially in the world's second largest economy, a report published by Markit Economics and HSBC Bank showed on Tuesday. According to the report, the HSBC emerging markets service and manufacturing purchasing managers' index
The Japanese Yen held firm earlier on Tuesday trading session as investors focused on the U.S. Dollar after the country's government showed in a report that service sector slowed down in December. The Yen traded at 104.18 per U.S. Dollar after falling to the lowest level since 2008 at 105.45 and it traded at 141.50 per Euro, the highest in
U.S. shares closed lower on Monday session after the country's government reported that service industry eased in the last month of 2013 and new orders in manufacturing rebounded in December. The Dow Jones Industrial average slipped 44.89 points to 16,425.10, the Standard & Poor's 500 Index shed 4.60 points to 1,826.77 and the Nasdaq Composite index lost 18.226 to 4,1113.681.
The majority of Asia's stocks dropped on Tuesday trading session falling towards the lowest level in four months as the U.S. Dollar increased earlier today after it slipped overnight on data showing that service sector in the U.S. slowed down raising concerns about the nation's recovery. The MSCI broadest Asia-Pacific Index outside Japan lost 0.6% adding to Monday's 2.4% decline.