Japan, China and South Korea agreed to increase investment in each others' bonds with the aim to diversify foreign-exchange reserves.
Swiss Economy Minister Johann Schneider-Ammann said he is satisfied with the franc's cap versus the euro and expressed confidence the central bank would defend the policy.
U.K. service sector growth slowed in April, Markit Economics data showed on Thursday. The Markit purchasing managers' index fell to 53.3 in April from 55.3 in May. A number above 50 indicates industry expansion.
The number of Americans claiming for unemployment benefits tumbled to 365,000 in the week ended April 28 from 392,000 the week before, said the Department of Labor on Thursday.
The European Central Bank held key rate at 1 per cent on Thursday and told it expects a gradual economic recovery this year
"There's no doubt that boosting production globally is positive for the Japanese economy"- Kiyoshi Ishigane, a strategist at Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co.Japanese stocks edged higher on Wednesday, after a report showed U.S. manufacturing expanded more than forecast in April.The Nikkei 225 rose 0.31%, or 29.30 points, to 9,380.25. The broader Topix advanced 0.43%, or 3.38, to 792.87."There's no doubt
"The good U.S. numbers gave the market a major boost at the start of the day"- Benno Galliker, a trader at Luzerner Kantonalbank AGSwiss stocks rose on Wednesday, after a report showed U.S. manufacturing expanded.The Swiss blue-chip index SMI, a measure of the largest and most actively traded companies, gained 0.20%, or 12.43 points, to 6,108.77. The broader Swiss Performance
"[Construction PMI data] points to clear, decent construction expansion in April"- Howard Archer, chief UK economist at IHS Global InsightU.K. construction sector expanded slower in April, compared to March, showed a survey conducted by Markit. The Markit / CIPS construction purchasing managers' index declined to 55.8, from 56.7 in March. Reading above 50.0 indicates industry expansion."On the face of it,
"Employment growth is slowing"- David Sloan, an economist at 4Cast Inc.The number of Americans, who have found a job in the private sector fell to 119,000 in April from a revised 201,000 in March, the ADP Employer Services said on Wednesday."Employment growth is slowing," said David Sloan, an economist at 4Cast Inc. in New York. "The economy is growing at
"The grim unemployment figures for March will likely encourage talk about a long overdue ‘growth pact' for the euro zone"- Martin van Vliet, an economist at ING GroupEuro area unemployment rose to the highest level since 1997 in March and manufacturing contracted in April, adding to signs the economy is still far from out of the woods. The jobless rate
"The worst catalyst is the strengthening yen. Investors can't get optimistic about the Japanese economy"- Koji Toda, chief fund manager at Resona Bank Ltd.Japanese stocks ended Tuesday's session in red, as the yen strengthened after data showed Spain fell into recession.The Nikkei 225 fell 1.78%, or 169.94 points, to 9,350.95. The broader Topix lost 1.84%, or 14.78, to 789.49."The worst
"Investors are still reluctant to act and want more clarity amid continuing uncertainty"- Peter Buergler, a trader at Luzerner Kantonalbank AGBanks in Switzerland were closed on Tuesday in observance of Labor Day.Swiss stocks closed lower on Monday.The Swiss blue-chip index SMI, a measure of the largest and most actively traded companies, retreated 0.33%, or 20.02 points, to 6,096.34. The broader
"The good news is that manufacturing clocked up a fifth straight rise, whilst cost pressures have eased a little and some firms are still recruiting"- Lee Hopley, chief economist at EEFU.K. manufacturing sector expanded less than forecast in April, the Markit/CIPS purchasing managers' index showed on Tuesday. The index declined to 50.5 down from 51.9 in March. Reading above 50.0
"Manufacturing is still in pretty good shape"- Scott Brown, chief economist at Raymond James & Associates Inc.Manufacturing in the U.S. expanded in April at the fastest pace in 10 months, showed Institute for Supply Management data on Tuesday. The index rose to 54.8 from 53.4 in May. Reading above 50.0 indicates industry expansion."Manufacturing is still in pretty good shape," said
"The likelihood of inflation falling below 2 percent in the short run remains low, putting the ECB in a difficult situation"- Peter Vanden Houte, an economist at INGInflation in the euro zone rose by more than expected in April, mounting pressure on the European Central Bank to take action against price pressures. Consumer prices increased 2.6 per cent from the
Spain sank into recession in the first quarter of 2012. The economy contracted 0.3 per cent, after shrinking by the same amount in the previous quarter, Madrid-based National Statistics Institute data showed on Monday.
U.S. consumer spending was boosted by higher than expected incomes, said the Bureau of Economic Analysis on Monday. Household purchases increased 0.3 per cent. Incomes gained 0.4 per cent, the most in three months.
U.K. stocks closed lower on Monday. The benchmark FTSE 100 Index lost 0.68%, or 39.33 points, to 5,737.78. The FTSE All-Share Index declined 0.64%, or 19.30 points, to 2,984.67.
The Swiss blue-chip index SMI, a measure of the largest and most actively traded companies, retreated 0.33%, or 20.02 points, to 6,096.34. The broader Swiss Performance Index fell 0.12%, or 6.79 points, to 5,697.40.
Japanese stocks retreated on Friday. The Nikkei 225 lost 0.43%, or 40.94 points, to 9,520.89. The broader Topix fell 0.72%, or 5.83, to 804.27.
"Investors are worried the BOJ may tighten its monetary policy, not ease it"- Koichi Kurose, chief economist at Resona Bank Ltd.The Nikkei 225 fell 0.43%, or 40.94 points, to 9,520.89. The broader Topix retreated 0.72%, or 5.83, to 804.27."Investors are worried the BOJ may tighten its monetary policy, not ease it," said Koichi Kurose, chief economist at Resona Bank Ltd.
"After the euphoria of the ECB capital injection, we've come back to reality"- Matthieu Giuliani, a fund manager at Banque Palatine SASwiss stocks closed little changed on Friday after the S&P has cut Spain's credit rating and a report showed the U.S. economy expanded less than forecast.The Swiss blue-chip index SMI, a measure of the largest and most actively traded
"It is clear that much like the economy as a whole, consumer confidence is in the doldrums"- Nick Moon, Director of Social Research at GfKU.K. consumer confidence remained in the negative territory in April as consumers were mostly pessimistic on the outlook of the country's economy, showed a survey conducted by pollster GfK NOP. An index of sentiment remained unchanged
"While the economy continued to grow in the first quarter, the expansion remains modest in pace and subpar from a historical perspective"- Jim Baird, chief investment strategist at Plante Moran Financial AdvisorsThe U.S. economy grew at a slower pace than forecast in the first quarter as businesses cut on investment. Gross domestic product increased at a 2.2 per cent annual