The output of Japan's economy fell; however, this was set off by better retail sales and an upturn in the job market. Industrial production for the month of August decreased by 1.5% in comparison to July, contrasting economists's predictions of a 0.2% increase. In contrast, retail sales gained 1.9%, and the unemployment rate fell to 3.5%. The production has fallen
Despite the small slide on Tuesday, the Dollar is still set for its best year since 2010 and the biggest increase in more than a year. In addition, the Dollar index was at 85.544, quite near the peak of 85.798, last seen in mid-2010. In three months time, the Greenback has added over 7% on the account of Fed speculations
Pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong have had a severe impact on many Asian stocks and indices, with a drop nearing a 16-month low. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index lost 0.5% early morning in London, adding to the 5% losses in September.The Heng Seng Index slid 1.4%, stopping its gains for this year. In addition, Japan's Topix decreased by 0.8%, and
Gold managed to receive some reprieve after hitting a nine-month low on the account of the conflicts in Hong Kong; however, the yellow metal is still set for its steepest fall since June of last year due to the rise in the Dollar. Gold lost 5.4% this month as it touched $1.206.85 the previous week. There is little hope for
The New Zealand Dollar fell almost 2% on Monday to $0.77, its lowest in 14 months, after the news that the RBNZ has sold more than 500 million NZD since August in order to weaken the Kiwi. Another interest rate increase was expected in July; however the bank refrained from it in order to monitor the currency. This has lead
Brent for November delivery dipped 9 cents lower to $97.11 per barrel, ceasing its gains of 20 cents which it managed to add yesterday, September 29. U.S. crude for the month of November fell 25 cents and traded at $94.32. Oil prices around the world are expected to extend their consecutive three month drop due to the high supply and the abating demand in China
The strong American Dollar had dampened the attractiveness of commodities as investments; however, copper was able to increase from its almost four-month lows before the release of U.S. GDP data. The metal pushed up by 0.6%, adding $38.75 to its price of $6,733.75 per metric ton on the LME early morning in Tokyo. Nevertheless, the metal is down 4.1% overall
The Euro continues to abate as the Dollar to rises to new highs. The euro touched an almost two-year low on Thursday on the possibility of the Federal Reserve pursuing a divergent monetary policy between it and the ECB. The common currency now trades at $1.2754, gaining from $1.2730, matching the lows of November 2012. Economic data also put pressure
The American Dollar is still on its path towards growth, fuelled by the Fed planning to end the QE in October and raising the interest rated mid-2015, paired with sluggish growth of other economies. The Dollar Spot Index added 0.1%, highest since mid-2010. In addition, the GDP for the second quarter is set to have grown 4.6%, adding to consumer
The Yen fell closer to its six-year low against the Dollar as the Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe alluded to developments in the pension fund reforms. The Yen fell against the majority of its trading peers, after the head of the ministry overseeing the GPIF hinted at the government increasing foreign asset purchases. Japan's currency lost 0.2% to 108.98, after
Crude is set for its third straight loss in a month as speculations arose regarding the expansion of oil supplies. The conflicts in the Middle East are threatening OPEC'c second-biggest crude producer Iraq. Brent set for November delivery held steady at $97, whereas the contract added 5 cents, yet overall prices have declined 12.2% the present year. WTI was down
S&Ps biggest decrease in near two months time rattled many Asian stocks. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index to slide 1.1% by midday in Tokyo, just as Topix lost 1.1% as well from its peak close since mid-2008. In addition, the Australian S&P/ASX fell 1.2%; the Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index retreated by 0.5%, with this being its biggest loss since March. Finally, the
West Texas Intermediate neared almost year-and-a-half lows before the release of the stockpile data which may or may not show the robustness of U.S. fuel demand. Crude stockpiles may have added 750,000 barrels in the previous week, totalling to 363 million, the highest levels since September 2012. WTI for November came in at $91.86 per barrel, showing a 30 cent
Although the American Dollar is poised for its biggest quarterly gains in three years time, is slowed its rapid growth after statements were made that a strong Dollar may be harmful to the U.S. economy. The Kiwi picked up form a one year low after data revealed an unexpected decreased in the trade deficit. The New Zealand Dollar pushed by
The Yen creeped up after the Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe expressed his unease on the impact caused by the Yen's recent weakness. These remarks were expressed as the Yen fell to is lowest in six years against the Dollar at ¥109.46 last Friday, totalling to a 7% decrease from August. The Dollar dipped 0.3% to ¥108.55 after Abe's testimony was
Many Asian stocks were able to pick up after large sales in U.S. equities. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index did not show significant changes as Chinese share benchmark rebounded 1.7% from its lowest in two months. In contrast, the Australian S&P/ASX 200 dipped 0.8%. The Hang Seng China Index increased after having fallen for nine of out ten last days;
Janet Yellen, the Chair of the Federal Reserve urged investors to be ready for the possibility of the Fed raising the interest rates before the currently projected timeline; however her words remain rather unnoticed. Volatility is close to all time lows, signalling that investors are rather self-satisfied with Fed's plans, yet this lenient behaviour may be premature and cause a sudden jump in volatility, putting an end to Yellen's intentions.
The yellow metal managed to keep its gains on Wednesday due to the slide in Asian shares; however, investors remain reserved in gold purchases as the Dollar is still strong. In addition, the U.S. manufacturing data, which was better than expected, has pushed prices to their lowest since January. Sport gold was at $1,223.40 per ounce, adding 0.7% the session
Along the lines of the release of China's PMI, Euro zone's Purchasing Managers Index failed to bring about a better economic outlook. The Index slid from 53.1 in August to 52.8 in September, adding fuel to the concerns over the European economies nearing serious doldrums. In addition, the economic growth has come to a halt in the three largest economies of the common
Brent crude prices were one of the many commodities and indices that managed to increase on the account of the improved China's PMI, which increased by 0.3 to 50.5 for the month of August surpassing the projections of 50. Brent for November delivery added 48 U.S. cents to $97.45 per barrel, reversing Monday's slide of more than a Dollar. U.S.
The president of the European Central Bank Mario Draghi announced yesterday that the ECB remains determined in its plans to reach its goal of 2% inflation. He remarked that more active management of ECB's balance sheet is necessary, as unemployment is still high and credit growth is weak, hindering the upturn of the economies. Draghi's planned asset-purchase program is set
After sliding 2.1% in the last month due to the weakening Chinese economy and the stubbornness of the Reserve Bank of Australia, the Aussie gained and pulled up from its lowest in seven months time. This was due to the positive PMI data from China, Australia's biggest trade partner. The Australian Dollar increased by 0.5% to 88.16 U.S. cents early
Data regarding China's manufacturing activity have revealed a better-than-expected turnout, reversing losses from August. The HSBC account of the Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) crossed the threshold of 50.2, its level in August, and came to 50.5. Generally, any reading above 50 is seen as a sign of an expansion. Despite this positive data, China's property price have been on the decline due to
In the line with the gains of the Pound, the Swiss Franc also showed some improvement. The Swiss National Bank decided to keep its floor of 1.20 francs a euro and gave word to defend the currency from any threats that may result in deflation. The SNB also kept its target for the interest rate range as the bank gathered