Switzerland's economic sentiment improved for the fourth time in a row as a sign of better times for the economy, however the majority of economists see the economic situation will remain unchanged in the next six-month period. The ZEW-CS indicator rose by 8.6 points to minus 6.9 points in the first month of 2013, compared to a figure of minus
The number of British people applying for unemployment benefits surprisingly decreased in December to the lowest level since the middle of 2011, the Office of National Statistics reported on Wednesday. The U.K. jobless claims declined by 12,100 in the last month of 2012 to 1.557 million, the lowest figure since June 2011, while the wider ILO measure fell also by
The Ruble strengthened by 0.1% to 30.2250 per U.S. Dollar by midday in Moscow trading session on Tuesday, after reaching a 30.1650 level, the strongest since 11th of May. The Russian currency versus the U.S. Dollar appreciates for a second day, as oil price has increased to a four-month peak and on government signals, that it is resisting for the
The Indian Rupee increased by 0.2% to 53.6925 per U.S. Dollar in early Mumbai trading session on Wednesday. The currency has touched a 53.3800 level yesterday, which is the strongest since 23rd of October. The Rupee appreciates, as the Indian Finance Minister said, that in next month will be revised economic-policy. The minister said that budget-deficit target is 4.8% of
The Euro Stoxx 50 Index futures were 0.2% higher to 2,720 points in early London trading session on Wednesday. That would lead to the Stoxx 600 increase, which this month increased in the highest level since February, 2011, on better-than-expected U.S. corporate earnings. Today, the U.S. lawmakers vote to suspend the debt ceiling at $16.2 trillion until 19th of May.
Japanese equities retreated, extending their losses for a third straight day, as the Yen appreciated after Bank of Japan announced it would launch open-ended stimulus package only after a year. The Nikkei 225 slid 2.1% to 10,486.99. All but one group in the gauge slumped. Nisshin Steel Holdings Co decreased 9.7% to 644 yen and prompted basic materials to erase
U.S. blue chips advanced with the Dow Jones Industrial Average slightly increasing. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.5%, or 62.51 points, to 13,712.21. All sectors except for consumer goods inched higher. Basic materials posted biggest gains in the index, as the shares of the mining company Alcoa Inc. jumped 2.68% to $9.20. UnitedHealth Group led gains in the health
U.S. shares advanced, as corporate profits from Companies, such as, Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. and Travelers Cos. beat the analysts' estimates. The Standard & Poor 500 climbed 0.4% to 1,492.51 points. All but one group in the gauge advanced. Technology shares posted the smallest increase in the index by adding 0.19%, as Seagate Technology rose 7.1%. Western Digital Corporation
The Yen rose 0.3% to 88.48 per U.S. Dollar and 0.4% to 117.74 versus Euro in afternoon of Tokyo trading session on Wednesday. Yesterday the Yen appreciated by 1% and that was the biggest currency's gain since May, 2012. The Japanese currency was traded positively on expectation that domestic inflation data will be lower than expected and will be as
Oil futures for March settlement were down by 12 cents to $96.65 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange during Singapore trading session on Wednesday. The average volume was higher by 38% above the 100-day average and the price was traded close to the highest level since September, 2012. Oil was traded positively on speculation, that the U.S. will
The Australian Dollar, also called Aussie, slipped by 0.3% to $1.0535 in the end of Sydney trading session on Wednesday. The Aussie was traded pessimistically, erasing a two-day gain, as consumer prices increased less than expected and do not reached economists forecast. Consumer data brings pressure for the Reserves Bank of Australia to cut the key interest rate further.
Wheat futures for March settlement were lower by 0.8% to $7.7275 for one bushel on Chicago Board of Trade during Singapore trading session on Wednesday. Commodity traders were selling wheat, as rains might bring some relief to crops in the U.S., which are suffering from drought. Weather forecast, which say that some precipitation will be brought next week, pushed market
Spot price of gold was at $1.693.55 an ounce by midday in Singapore's trading session on Wednesday. Gold price was very close to a four-week peak at $1,696.28, as the U.S. lawmakers voting today on debt limit's suspension until 16th of May. The U.S. House of Republicans is scheduled to have a voting on temporary suspension of $16.4 trillion debt
The Nikkei 225 declined by 1.8% to 10,516.97 points by midday Tokyo trading session on Wednesday. The major Japanese index experienced its first three-day loss since elections have ended. Japanese stocks declined as the Yen depreciates after the Bank of Japan announcement that it will implement open-ended stimulus only from 2014.
Rural commodities except for corn posted sharp losses on Tuesday despite improved demand for risky assets and weaker greenback. Rain forecasts in the US as well as better weather conditions in Brazil put notable pressure on the commodity complex. Wheat declined on speculation that rains in the US may improve prospects of drought-stricken crops. Furthermore, profit-taking after a sharp increase
Energy futures jumped on Tuesday amid soft US Dollar and BoJ policy decision. BoJ announced an open-ended asset purchasing program and lifted its inflation target to 2% to stimulate economy in 2014. Upbeat German economic sentiment reading also was supportive for the commodity group. Meanwhile, market players remained cautious ahead of the EIA report due on Thursday. Crude oil climbed
Industrial metals apart from nickel surged, being boosted by stimulus measures from the BoJ and weaker greenback. However, dismal US data releases capped the upswing. Also weighing on the commodity group was increased caution ahead of US debt ceiling decision due on Wednesday. Aluminum advanced as risk appetite improved after the BoJ announced stimulus measures to boost faltering economy. At
Precious metals rallied on Tuesday after the BoJ announced an open-ended asset purchasing program and raised its inflation target by 2%. Sending the commodity group higher the US Dollar depreciated further on weak data from US real estate and manufacturing sectors. Gold advanced after the BoJ unveiled its stimulus measures. However, the gains were capped by an increase in gold's import
German shares paired their biggest losses in a week as Bafin, the nation's financial regulator, said he would ask Deutsche Bank AG to stimulate a split, offsetting positive data on investor confidence that improved this month. The DAX index retreated 0.8% to 7,690.64 points. All but two groups in the benchmark index declined. The gauge was also dragged down by
U.K. stocks started rebounding from their previous losses after a report showed the U.S. house sales improved and companies, such as Google Inc. and Johnson & Johnson, edged higher. FTSE 100 index stayed unchanged at 6,182.29 points by 15:20 GMT. Six out of ten groups inched higher with health care shares rallying the most. Among best performers were Kingfisher Plc
The Australian stock market stayed flat as investors sat on the sidelines after Bank of Japan announced its plans to increase the inflation target to 2%. In addition, the BOJ said it would launch an asset-buying program similar to the one released by Fed. The S&P/ASX200 index rallied 0.03%, or 1.6 points, to 4,779.1 points. Seven out of then sectors
Hong Kong shares advanced, sending the Hang Seng benchmark index to its 19-month high. Hong Kong stocks started advancing right after a report on January 18 showed that he nation's economy has revived. The Hang Seng index rallied 0.3% to 23,658.99. All but two groups in the gauge edged higher with consumer goods surging 1.10%, the most in the gauge.
German ZEW Economic Sentiment edged higher in January suggesting, according to experts, a brighter time for the German economy in the next six months and contributed to an optimism that the market outlook for 2013 will be bullish for the shared currency. The ZEW indicator of Economic Sentiment for Germany accelerated by 24.6 points to 31.5 points in January, its
The Japanese central bank adopted its biggest changes in order to boost the economy and to end a twenty-year period of stagnation, committing to a stimulus monetary policy, but disappointed investors as they will delay the program until 2014. The BoJ established a 2% inflation level to be achieved as soon as possible with a 13 trillion yen a month open-ended asses