U.S. stocks gained, lifting the S&P 500 index up on rising optimism among investors about corporate earnings in the fourth quarter. The Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced 0.5%, or 61.66 points, to 13,390.51. Three out of nine groups in the gauge declined. Alcoa Inc. shares posted second biggest losses by losing 0.2% to $9.08, even though the company reported better-than-forecast
U.S. stocks rallied on Wednesday, sending up the Standard & Poor's 500 index, as optimism among investors rose over the fourth-quarter corporate profits. The S&P 500 index advanced 0.3% to 1,461.02. Six out of ten groups in the benchmark index increased. Seagate Technology surged 6.6% after better-than-forecast revenue data, leading gains in the technology sector that was only 0.07% up.
Rural commodities were mixed ahead of the closely-watched USDA report on global supply estimates due on Friday. Meanwhile, investors continued to monitor weather conditions in South America.Wheat sagged 0.67%, falling for the second session in a row after France lifted its inventory forecast by 17% from last month's estimate. Corn was the top-performer on speculation that US stocks may have
Energy futures apart from heating oil ended Wednesday's session in the red territory as investors shunned riskier assets ahead of the ECB press conference and US debt ceiling talks. Weak industrial production numbers from Germany and solid greenback also weighed. Crude oil edged lower after the EIA reported that US crude oil inventories rose by 1.31 million barrels last week
Industrial metals were mixed on Wednesday as risk appetite weakened ahead of the ECB press conference due on Thursday. Concerns over the US debt limit dispute also weighed on the market sentiment. Adding to losses of base metals, German industrial production increased by 0.2% in November versus a forecast of a 1.1% jump.Aluminum extended previous gains on hopes for robust
Precious metals were mixed on Wednesday amid appreciating US Dollar and increased caution ahead of the ECB press conference due on Thursday. Moreover, looming debates over the US debt ceiling continued to dampen market sentiment. However, expectations for stronger physical demand for precious metals were supportive for the commodity group.Gold eased as US Dollar strength created heavy pressure on the
Oil advanced for the first time in 3 days as China posted positive export data, which surpassed economists' expectations, signalling economic growth in the world's second biggest crude consumer. Crude for February settlement rose 43 cents to $93.53 a barrel and traded at $93.47 as of 12:55 in Singapore. Brent for February delivery gained 18 cents or 0.2% to $111.94
Asian stocks rose, with the regional benchmark index set for the highest close since August 2011, as Chinese export data overshot economists' expectations and Japanese carmaker benefited from a weaker yen. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index advanced 0.9% to 132.25. The Nikkei 225 Stock Average rose 0.9%, climbing for a second consecutive day and South Korea's Kospi Index added 0.6%.
The New Zealand Dollar rose to four-year high against the Japanese Yen as optimism U.S. corporate earnings will increase for a third successive year boosted global stocks. The kiwi touched 73.94 yen, the strongest level since September 22, 2008, before fetching 73.85, up 0.1% from the yesterday's close in New York. New Zealand's currency traded at 83.95 U.S. cents following
The Australian Dollar advanced to a 4-year high against the Yen and 3-week high versus the U.S. Dollar as China's data indicated imports increased to a record in the country's biggest overseas market. The Aussie rose as much as 0.3% to $1.0552 after fetching $1.0555, the strongest level since December 18. Australia's currency appreciated 0.7% to 93.03 yen, the most
Japan's currency fell for a second successive day and approached the lowest level in more than two years versus the U.S. Dollar as Prime Minister Shinzo Abe called for the Bank of Japan Governor Masaaki Shirakawa to increase the inflation target. The Yen lost 0.3% to 88.15 per U.S. Dollar from a day earlier, when it weakened 0.9%.
German shares advanced after Alcoa Inc. started its earnings season in the U.S. with sales beating the analysts' estimates, offsetting the lower-than-expected-industrial production in November. The DAX index gained 0.34% to 7,722.41. Six out of nine sectors advanced. Deutsche Telekom rose 3.96% to its highest price level since October 2012, pacing gains in the telecommunications group that posted the biggest
Japanese shares rallied, capping a two-day drop, as the Yen depreciated against its 16 counterparts, supporting exporters. The Nikkei 225 Stock Average gained 0.5% to 10,555.01 after earlier tumbling 1%. Seven out of ten groups inched higher. Tokyo Dome Corporation shares added 8% to 353 yen, leading gains in the consumer services sector, that was only 0.03% up. IHI corporation
German shares advanced after Alcoa Inc. started its earnings season in the U.S. with sales beating the analysts' estimates, offsetting the lower-than-expected-industrial production in November. The DAX index gained 0.34% to 7,722.41. Six out of nine sectors advanced. Deutsche Telekom rose 3.96% to its highest price level since October 2012, pacing gains in the telecommunications group that posted the biggest
U.K. stocks advanced to the highest since May 2008, Alcoa Inc. started the new earnings session in U.S. by posting higher-than-expected sales. The FTSE 100 index gained 0.9% to 6,106.57, reaching its highest level in 4 years. All but one sector edged higher. Lloyds Banking group was the best-performing company, as its shares surged 6.2% to 54 pence, followed by
Hong Kong shares rebounded from their lowest level in one week with Chinese banks edging higher after a brokerage upgrade. The Hang Seng Index added 0.5% to 23,218.5. All but two sectors in the benchmark index edged higher. Chinese banks led gains in the financials sector that was 0.76% up, as New World Development added 3.19% to HK$12.94. China Resources
U.S. blue chips were down for the second day prior to beginning of the new earnings session. The Dow Jones Industrial Average erased 0.4% to 13,328.85. Three out of nine sectors advanced. Verizon Telecommunications and AT&T were pacing losses in the telecommunications group, as companies slumped 3.6% and 2.9%, respectively. Boeing Co. erased 2.6% to $74.13 after BB&T Capital Markets'
U.S. blue chips were down for the second day prior to beginning of the new earnings session. The Dow Jones Industrial Average erased 0.4% to 13,328.85. Three out of nine sectors advanced. Verizon Telecommunications and AT&T were pacing losses in the telecommunications group, as companies slumped 3.6% and 2.9%, respectively. Boeing Co. erased 2.6% to $74.13 after BB&T Capital Markets'
U.S. shares dropped on Tuesday, as investors were still waiting for the new earnings season to begin, dragging down the S&P 500 index for a second day. The S&P 500 slumped 0.3% to 1,457.15. All sectors in the index edged lower, with telecommunications posting biggest losses in the industry, down 2.69%. Game stop Corp. shares lost 6.3% on lower sales
U.K. stocks advanced to their highest since May 2008, as Alcoa Inc. started the new earnings session in U.S. by posting higher-than-expected sales. The FTSE 100 index gained 0.9% to 6,106.57, reaching its highest level in 4 years. All but one sector edged higher. Lloyds Banking group was the best-performing company, as its shares surged 6.2% to 54 pence, followed
Hong Kong shares rebounded from their lowest level in one week with Chinese banks edging higher after a brokerage upgrade. The Hang Seng Index added 0.5% to 23,218.5. All but three sectors in the benchmark index edged higher. Chinese banks led gains in the financials sector that was 0.76% up, as New World Development added 3.19% to HK$12.94. China Resources
The Bank of Thailand kept the key interest rate unchanged at 2.75% benchmark, according to announcement in Bangkok on Wednesday. The key interest was left the same for the second straight meeting, as economy signals about improvements and better future outlook for exports and stronger domestic demand. The Thai baht, the Thailand's currency, was affected gently by the decision, as
German 10-year bond yields increased by one basis point to 1.50% in early London trading session on Wednesday. German yields were dropping by last two days, as the rate reach a high on January 4 at 1.56%. Investors wait for a report, which will indicate German industrial production. According to economists, industrial output in November should expand for the first
Malaysia's overseas shipments advanced by 3.3% comparing with a year earlier in November, following a 3.2% decline in October, as the Trade Ministry announced on Wednesday. Exports accelerated faster than economists predicted, as shipment of electronics and petroleum increased. Imports also increased by 4.3% in November, after a 5.7% improvement in October and the trade surplus widened to $3.1 billion.