On Tuesday, the Reserve Bank of Australia decided to keep the monetary policy course unchanged. The benchmark cash rate has been held at the previous level of 2.5%. Therefore, the RBA is now maintaing the main interest rate for ten meetings in a row. According to the RBA officials, the current economic growth and inflation in Australia perfectly fit the
The total number of new housing starts in the third economy of the world plummeted considerably in May of this year. According to the data from the Ministry of Infrastructure, Land, Transport and Tourism, housing starts declined 15% on the annual basis and reached 872,000, while economists forecasted a 10.5% decrease. At the same time, in April the indicator fell
The volume of retail sales in Germany, the largest economy of the Eurozone, surprisingly slipped 0.6% in May of the current year on a monthly basis, while analysts predicted them to add 0.8%. Moreover, the data for April has been revised to the downside, showing a 1.5% decline. Therefore, sales in Germany drop for a third month in a row.
Manufacturing production in Japan increased in May of this year, even though the government raised the sales tax in the country one month before. Analysts say that producers are getting used to the new reality. Industrial output added 0.5% on a monthly basis, however, experts predicted the indicator to advance 0.9%. In April, in turn, manufacturing in the country slipped
Stock market in Europe opened with an increase in value on the first trading day of the new week, while investors are waiting for housing data in the U.S. Among leaders, Royal Philips NV added 3% after announcement that the company will merge together its automotive-lighting and LED-component businesses. The Europe Stoxx 600 Index rises 0.3% to 342.92 points in
The total number of unemployed people in France reached the new highest level in May of 2014, namely 3.38 million. It means a 0.7% or 24,800 increase on a monthly basis. At the same time, data from the International Labour Organization shows that the jobless rate in France was unchanged in the Q1 at 10.1%, which is still close to
The average spending of Japanese households declined noticeably in May of the current year, slipping by 8.0% on the annual basis and reaching 271,411 yen. Consumption expenditures in May plunged 8.8%. Analysts point on the negative effect from the rise of sales tax in April. They also expected much smaller fall in spending, only by 2.1% in May after April's
Unemployment level in Japan surprisingly declined in May of this year and reached the 3.5% level, despite concerns the increase of the sales tax will cut economic activity and negatively influence the labor market. Economists, in turn, expected the jobless rate to stay unchanged from April's level on 3.6%. During the year, the total number of unemployed people in the
The Bank of England decided to implement new rules for mortgages in the country in order to prevent the property market from further strong price increases and limit the negative effect on the economy in the future. As planned, from October the U.K. banks will be allowed to have not more than 15% of new mortgages, the volume of which
Economic decline in the United States in the first three months of this year was revised strongly to the downside, as the country's GDP slipped 2.9% on the annual basis. Previous expectations showed a 1% decline. Therefore, it was the most radical data revision since 1976. Analysts explain the decrease by fall in healthcare spending, while orders for durable goods
European equity markets opened with little changes on Thursday, showing a slight increase, while economists are waiting for jobless claims data from the U.S. Yesterday, the revised data showed the U.S. economy plunged 2.9% in Q1. The benchmark continental Europe Stoxx 600 Index added 0.1% to 342.23 points by 8:45 GMT in London, reversing the decline of last days.
Consumer confidence in Germany climbed to its largest level since December 2006, helped by attractive policies from the ECB and the government. Germans become more upbeat in terms of economic prospects for the country. The GfK Index, based on survey of 2,000 people, jumped to 8.9 points in July of the this year, up from 8.6 in June. Economists, in
The Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe announced on Tuesday that the long-term deflation period in the country has come to the end, helped by broad monetary easing, as well as the growth strategy and attractive fiscal policy to encourage investment. Among further stimulus measures, the government plans to cut business tax, liberalize trade and reduce several barriers in agricultural
West Texas Intermediate oil gains in price on Wednesday, showing the first rise since Monday. Analysts evaluate the Obama administration's possible decision to ease rules for exporting the American oil from the country. Futures with an August delivery added 1.4% to $107.50 per barrel. Prices for the Brent type oil, however, declined slightly and trade at $114.27 per barrel.
The total number of mortgage approvals in the United Kingdom fell slightly in May of the current year, marking the fourth month of decline. Last month, 41,757 new mortgages for home buyers were approved, pushing the total value to 6.7 billion pounds. It has been the lowest number of approved mortgages since August, however, it is 13% higher than the
Business confidence in Germany unexpectedly declined in June of this year, pointing on slowing economic growth in the largest economy of the Eurozone. The respective index from the Ifo institute slipped to 109.7 points in June, down from 110.4 points a month ago. Economists see German economy to slower, as yesterday the data showed weakening services and manufactufing sectors.
Banco Santander SA, the largest bank in Spain, decided to buy the GE Money Bank unit in Denmark, Norway and Sweden. The agreed price with the GE Capital company reached 700 million euros. The deal is going to be completed by the second half of this year. However, today Banco Santander SA shares are decreasing 0.65% to 7.79 euro per
West Texas Intermediate oil prices advance on Monday for a third consecutive day, while Iraq militarists occupied more territory of the country. Moreover, U.S. President Barack Obama warned about negative consecuences of the crisis for other countries. Currently, WTI futures with August delivery add 0.6% to $107.45, while Brent prices climb 0.5% to $115.42 per barrel.
Activity in the production sector of the world's second economy jumped to its highest level in seven months in June of the current year, raising confidence that China will avoid a decrease in growth in the nearest future. The benchmark PMI Index from the HSBC Bank increased to 50.8 points, up from 49.4 in May. Economists, in turn, waited for
Gold prices on world markets decreased slightly on Monday, while investment and physical demand for the metal declined. It is worth pointing out that during last three weeks the bullion gained in price amid Fed's decision to keep interest rates low for a long period of time. Today, gold prices for immediate delivery reached $1,314.05 per ounce, slightly down from
President of the ECB Mario Draghi said on Monday that key interest rates in the Eurozone will remain very low at least until the end of year 2016. According to the ECB plan, the program of supporting banks' lending will last four year, therefore, rates in this time period should stay low. Recently, the ECB weakened its monetary policy even
Stock markets in Europe show no preferences in a movement direction on Monday, while during last nine out of ten weeks the benchmarks gained in value. Investors are still waiting for manufacturing data from Germany and U.S., as they also weigh the GE purchase of French Alstom's energy business. The Europe Stoxx 600 Index loses 0.1% to 348.03 points by
Activity in the manufacturing and service sectors of the France showed the unexpected decline in June of this year, raising serious concerns about the stability of economic recovery in the region. The benchmark PMI Index in the manufacturing sector of the Fifth Republic dropped to 47.8 points, with services PMI decreasing to 48.2, both remaining below the minimum growth limit
欧元兑美元汇价自1.3584最高上涨至1.3643，来自美联储持续低息决议，和欧元区官员强调短期内不会降息的消息都支撑欧元兑美元走高。此外，受乌克兰方面局势的影响，市场避险资金由俄罗斯流出也在一定程度上支持欧元。技术指标MSCD和RSI均呈现多头状态，显示欧元兑美元仍然有进一步走高的可能。