Hong Kong blue chips dropped on falling Japanese exporters, as the yen appreciated against its major counterparts.The Hang Seng index lost 0.94% to 23,111.19, touching its lowest level this year. Six out of nine sectors edged lower in the gauge. The sectors that shrank the most were basic materials, oil and gas, and financials, tumbling 1.6%, 1.4% and 1.2%, respectively.
Japanese shares dropped as the Yen kept appreciating against its 16 major counterparts and lowered the profit outlook for the exporters. The Nikkei 225 dropped 0.9% to 10,508.06. Only three out of ten groups in the benchmark index edged higher. Among the best performers were Unitika, Sharp Corporation and Nitto Boseki with their shares rallying 4.1%, 3.9% and 3.8%, respectively.
U.S. blue chips slumped after the S&P 500 index advanced to its five-year high last week, as U.S. lawmakers approved a budget bill to halt the so-called "fiscal cliff". The Dow Jones Industrial Average eased 0.4%, or 50.92 points, to 13,384.29. Only two out of nine sectors edged higher. Telecommunications sector posted biggest gains, as the shares of Verizon Communications
U.S. equities dropped on Monday as investors stepped back to the side lines, awaiting the beginning of the new corporate earnings season starting on Tuesday. The S&P index tumbled 0.3% to 1,461.89 after closing at its highest since 2007 last week. All but two sectors declined in the gauge. Celgene Corp, global biopharmaceutical company, was the best performer with its
Japanese shares dropped as the Yen kept appreciating against its 16 major counterparts and lowered the profit outlook for the exporters. The Nikkei 225 dropped 0.9% to 10,508.06. Only three out of ten groups in the benchmark index edged higher. Among the best performers were Unitika, Sharp Corporation and Nitto Boseki with their shares rallying 4.1%, 3.9% and 3.8%, respectively.
Hong Kong blue chips dropped on falling Japanese exporters, as the yen appreciated against its major counterparts. The Hang Seng index lost 0.94% to 23,111.19, touching its lowest level this year. Six out of nine sectors edged lower in the gauge. The sectors that shrank the most were basic materials, oil and gas, and financials, tumbling 1.6%, 1.4% and 1.2%,
Consumer confidence in the Eurozone changed slightly in the month of December, when it increased to -26.5 from -26.9 in the month before, the European Commission reported on Tuesday. The Euro area consumer confidence historical average measured from 1985 until 2012 is -12.47, while the high from May 2000 is 2.70 and the low recorded in March 2009 is -34.20."We have not yet
Unemployment rate of Switzerland in 2012 was among the three lowest figures of the last ten year, when it reached 2.9% following 2.8% the year before, the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs has reported. Jobless rate for the last month of 2012 recorded 3.3% with 142,309 unemployed people compared to the Eurozone's equivalent of 11.8% in November."Despite a particularly demanding
Unemployment in the 17-nation bloc rose in line with economists expectations in November to the highest level since the data began to be released in 1995 amid unfavorable economic situation and tough fiscal measures, the European Union's statistical office in Luxembourg reported on Tuesday. The Eurozone jobless rate went up from 11.7% in October to 11.8% the following month."In the
German exports adjusted for seasonal changes shrunk 3.4% in November comparing with the previous month, as the Federal Statistics Office announced on Tuesday. Exports declined faster than a 0.5% economists' prediction. Imports of the biggest Euro Union member decreased by 3.7%. The sovereign debt crisis and weaker demand are markedly hurting German economy.
The Euro increased by 0.4% to $1.3117 in the end of New York trading session on Monday. The major currency pair rose for a second consecutive session against the Dollar from almost a 3-month low. Investors trade the Euro negative, amid concern that the Euro region economy is faltering. Also, the ECB holds a meeting on the 10th of January
The Indian Rupee will appreciate more than 10% in 2013, as the top forecasts from from investment banks say. That would be the biggest gain in last six years. As analysts say, the RBI, the central bank of India, will reduce its interest rate by 25 basis points to 7.75 and lower the highest borrowing cost among the biggest Asian
Rural commodities were bullish on Monday amid worries over US crops and broadly softer US Dollar. Moreover, an expected increase in index funds holdings of the 2012 top laggards spurred rally of softs. Meanwhile, the investors' focus remained on this Friday's USDA report on global supply and demand estimates.Wheat climbed on speculation that unfavorable weather conditions are weighting on US
Energy futures except for natural gas rebounded on Monday, being supported by weaker greenback. Boosting oil prices, expansion project of the Seaway Pipeline is expected to start pumping about 400,000 barrels per day to Cushing compared to original capacity of 150,000 barrels per day. Meanwhile, bottom fishers took advantage of a recent decline in prices on fears that US debt
Industrial metals apart from aluminum moved lower on Monday as market sentiment remained under notable pressure amid upcoming US debt limit dispute. Moreover, investors were cautious ahead of the ECB press conference due on Thursday. Elevated LME inventories and global demand insecurity also weighed on base metals.Aluminum was the top-performer amid weaker US Dollar. However, a record-high LME inventories of
Asian shares declined, pushing the regional benchmark index lower, as Japanese exporters fell after the Yen advanced and as HTC Corp. earnings missed estimates. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index slid as much as 0.8% to 130.52, snapping gains of 0.3%. Japan's Nikkei 225 Stock Average fell 1.2% and South Korea's Kospi Index slipped 0.6%, while Taiwan's Taiex Index declined 0.7%.
Precious metals continued a bearish trend on Monday despite broadly weaker US Dollar and hopes that the Fed will keep its loose monetary policy in place amid weakness of the labour market. Creating heavy pressure on the commodity group, investors remained cautious ahead of the ECB press conference due on Thursday.Gold declined despite easing concerns that the Fed will stop
Thailand's Baht strengthened for a second successive day as foreign investors boosted their holdings of the country's assets on optimism inflows will stimulate faster economic growth. The nation's currency advanced as much as 0.1% to 30.43 per U.S. Dollar at 8:46 a.m. in Bangkok. One-month implied volatility increased 5 basis points, or 0.05 percentage points, to 4.15%.
U.S. blue chips slumped after the S&P 500 index advanced to its five-year high last week, as U.S. lawmakers approved a budget bill to halt the so-called "fiscal cliff". The Dow Jones Industrial Average eased 0.4%, or 50.92 points, to 13,384.29. Only two out of nine sectors edged higher. Telecommunications sector posted biggest gains, as the shares of Verizon Communications
Japan's currency is headed for the biggest two-day advance since November, extending its rally from the lowest level in more than two ears amid speculation the recent drops were excessive. The Japanese Yen added as much as 0.4% to 87.48 per U.S. Dollar, rising 0.8% since January 4 and poised for the biggest two-day percentage gain since November 8.
The Euro Stoxx 50 Index futures, the benchmark for the Euro area, slipped by 0.3% to 2,6979 points in very beginning of London trading session on Tuesday. European futures depreciate on worse than expected data from Germany, which announced a 3.4% exports contraction. Also, investors await fourth quarter U.S. earnings results.
U.S. equities dropped on Monday as investors stepped back to the side lines, awaiting the beginning of the new corporate earnings season starting on Tuesday. The S&P index tumbled 0.3% to 1,461.89 after closing at its highest since 2007 last week. All but two sectors declined in the gauge. Celgene Corp, global bio-pharmaceutical company, was the best performer with its
Wheat futures for March settlement were higher by 0.6% to $7.5575 for one bushel on the Chicago Board of Trade in Asian trading session on Tuesday. The price increases from a six-low at $7.3975, which was reached on 4th of January. Investors wait for an estimation from USDA reserves, which, according to speculation, will be lower, as the U.S., the
The Australian Dollar lost 0.2% to $1.0478 and depreciated by 0.6% to 91.70 against the Yen in the end of Sydney trading session on Tuesday. The Aussie decreased the first time in three days, as today was announced the biggest trade deficit in last four years - imports exceeded exports by $2.77 billion. Also, Pacific region equity markets weakened, reducing