The total volume of retail sales in the U.S. accelerated last month rising by more than originally forecast as Americans return to shopping mode after cold winter, the latest data unveiled by the Commerce Department revealed on Monday. The U.S. retail sales climbed 1.1% on a monthly basis following a 0.7% jump in the month before.
Business inventories in the world's largest economy advanced in February rising by less than economists initially projected as business sales notably rebounded on the month, a report released by the Commerce Department unveiled on Monday. The U.S. business inventories gained 0.4% on a sequential basis in February matching previous month's increase.
Retail sales in Finland decreased in February falling by more than experts originally estimated, the latest data published by the Statistics Finland unveiled on Monday. According to the data, the nation's retail sales slid by 0.4% on an annual basis in February compared to 0.3% drop initially projected, while in January the volume of sales gained by 0.5%.
Industrial production in India slipped in February falling by more than economists expected as manufacturing weakened, a report released by the Central Statistical Office revealed on Monday. According to the report, the country's industrial output fell 1.9% in February compared to an expansion by 0.9% originally projected.
U.S. Treasuries increased on Monday trading session rising to the strongest level in a six-week period as demand for safe-haven assets advanced amid escalating geopolitical tension between Ukraine and Russia. The benchmark 10-year government bonds traded one basis point higher at 2.63% by 10:11 a.m. New York time.
The European benchmark Brent crude increased on Monday trading session rising towards the highest level in two weeks as geopolitical tension between Russian, the world's largest energy exporter, and Ukraine escalated. Brent for delivery in May advanced as much as $0.75 to $108.08 per barrel on the London's ICE Futures Europe exchange.
European shares fluctuated on Monday trading session after the region's benchmarks recorded their worst week in one month as tension between Ukraine and Russian Federation escalated past weekend. The benchmark stock index Stoxx Europe 600 fell as much as 0.1% to 328.44 as of 3:16 p.m. London time after falling by 1% earlier on the session.
House prices in the United Kingdom increased in April rising towards the highest level all-time amid low number of properties going for sale on the month, a report published by the property website Rightmove showed on Monday. According to the report, the nation's average asking house prices rose 7.3% on an annual basis in April, the strongest pace since October
Inflation measured as harmonized price index in Italy weakened in March matching initial economists' expectations, the latest data revealed by the statistical office Istat showed on Monday. According to the report, the country's HICP accelerated by 0.3% in March on an annual basis following a 0.4% increase in the month before.
Industrial production in the 18-nation bloc accelerated modestly in February reflecting an improvement in intermediate goods and non-durable consumer goods sector, a report released by the statistical office Eurostat showed on Monday. The Eurozone's industrial output added 0.2% on a monthly basis in February after falling by 0.2% in the month before.
Finance Minister of the Europe's largest economy Wolfgang Schaeuble claimed on Monday that the Eurozone's ongoing low inflation will not likely lead into a deflation spiral despite investors' speculations, as the ECB President Mario Draghi commented that the weak inflation holds no risk. German FM also added that the biggest risk in Europe now is the Ukraine's tension.
Wall Street shares inched lower earlier on Monday trading session after companies from biotech and technology sector released quarterly earnings reports today. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index has fallen in April so far by 3%, the Dow Jones industrial average has lost 2.6% and the Nasdaq Composite Index has slipped 4.7% this far.
The 18-nation bloc currency dropped earlier on Monday session falling versus the U.S. currency from the strongest levels reached this year after the European Central Bank signaled that further monetary easing may be implemented sooner than expected. The Euro slipped as much as 0.3% against its most-traded peers and was last seen at $1.3848.
The U.S. currency declined earlier on Monday trading session falling against the Japanese Yen after it reached the weakest level in more than three weeks on Friday as tension in Ukraine escalated after the country's government ordered a military action during the weekend. The so-called Greenback was last traded at 101.66 yen, far from the highest level in 2 ½
The majority of Asian stocks declined on Monday trading session as sell-off on the Asian market continued together with falling U.S. and European shares as geopolitical tension in Ukraine escalated amid a military action ordered by Ukraine's government. The MSCI Asia-Pacific gauge outside Japan slipped 0.5%, while the Japan's Nikkei lost 0.4% hitting its six-month low.
Palladium advanced to the highest level since 2011 in London on worries supplies might be limited as turmoil between Ukraine and Russia escalates, while gold touched the highest level in three weeks. Spot palladium price added 0.7% to $810.45 an ounce at 9:26 a.m. London time, while bullion for immediate delivery climbed 0.6% to $1,326.26 an ounce.
The 18-nation currency depreciated against the majority of the 16 most-traded currencies after Mario Draghi stated that there is a need of further monetary stimulus. Eurozone's currency dropped 0.2% to $1.3852 at 6:52 a.m. London time, after adding 1.3% previous week, the biggest climb since September 20. The currency weakened 0.3% to 140.73 Yen.
Shinzo Abe's efforts to return the country back to inflation may go too far away from the plan, as the price level in Japan has already begun to rise significantly. Moreover, the sales tax advance from 5% to 8% may lead to even more considerable inflationary pressure. As predicted by most accurate economists, prices may add, on average, 3.5% in
Both Brent and WTI oil prices jump on Monday for the first time since Thursday, as tensions between Ukraine and Russia escalate, which may lead to delay or disruption in energy supply to Europe, the biggest consumer of Russian gas. Brent prices added 0.7% to $108.11 in London, while WTI oil surged 0.6% to $104.34. Analysts expect that Brent value
The total number of job vacancies in the financial sector of London's City and in the rest of the British capital climbed 10% in March of the current year, comparing with February, and reached 9,261. Survey showed that companies want to hire new workers to manage risks and compliance. Moreover, salaries for new employess in this sector added 20% in
Property prices in the United Kingdom surged in March of this year, adding 2.6% to record 262,594 pounds. In London, however, the increase of prices reached 3.6% to 572,348 pounds, as all but one boroughs of the British capital registered an advance in housing prices. While Richmond-upon-Thames saw a 0.5% decrease, prices and Camden, Brent and Haringey jumped 7%.
U.K. shares retreated for a second straight day, after U.S. equities selloff past week and escalation of tensions in eastern Ukraine. The regional benchmark FTSE 100 slid 0.6% to 6,525.54 as of 9:28 a.m. London time, after 2% decline previous week. The FTSE All-Share Index decreased 0.7% today, while Ireland's ISEQ Index also slipped 0.7%.
On April 12, Mario Draghi announced that increasing euro exchange rate requires more monetary stimulus in the Eurozone to keep prices stable and avoid deflation. While inflation still holds at very low level of 0.5%, the euro-dollar exchange rate surged 6% during last month. As expected, it can shake price stability, as imports becomes cheaper, but exports more expensive.
The S&P rating agency decided to revise its outlooks for credit ratings of some European countries, while Lithuania received an increase in rating from BBB+ to A-, as the country is preparing for euro adoption in 2015. Portugal BB+ rating's expectations were revised up to positive, while Finnish perspectives were downgraded to negative, however this country still holds AAA rating.