Mortgage approvals in the United Kingdom decreased in March falling by more than originally projected and towards the weakest level in a six-year period, the latest report published by the Bank of England showed on Thursday. According to the report, the U.K. home loan approvals fell from February's level of 69,592 to 67,132 in the following month.
The central bank of the world's largest economy decided to cut its monetary easing program on the policy meeting on Thursday and it may continue to reduce monthly purchases as the economy improves, a report released after the meeting showed today. The U.S. Federal Reserve reduced the size from $55 billion a month to $45 billion.
The 18-nation bloc currency advanced on Thursday trading session after a report showed yesterday that inflation in the region increased last month and as the U.S. Federal Reserve meeting may bring no change in its monetary easing program. The Euro traded as much as 0.2% higher at a level of $1.3888 and according to some analysts it may touch the
The British Sterling strengthened on Thursday trading session reaching the highest level in almost five years against the U.S. Dollar after an industry report showed that manufacturing activity in the country grew in April. The Pound also advanced against the euro-area currency touching its two-month peak as the Sterling index was seen near 5 ½- year high.
Wall Street stocks opened flat on Thursday as traders stayed cautious after shares rallied in the session before pushing the benchmark index Dow Jones towards the strongest level all time. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index futures slipped 0.9%, the Doe Jones industrial average futures gained 11 points and the Nasdaq Composite index futures jumped 9.75 points.
Manufacturing sector in the United Kingdom climbed considerably more than predicted by economists, as production volume reached the maximum for eight months and exports jumped. The benchmark PMI Index for the production sector surged to 57.3 points in April, up from 55.8 points a month ago. At the same time, analysts expected the index to decrease to 55.4 points.
Sony Corp., one of the largest consumer electronics producers in the world, reported a more than in October predicted loss for the financial year, which ended in March 2014. Company lost 130 billion yen during the mentioned time period, as demand for consumer electronics continued to drop. However, today Sony Corp. shares rose 1% to 1,810 yen per share during
El índice de Chicago sobre los gestores de compra experimentó un fuerte ascenso tras 5 meses a la baja al subir de 55,9 puntos en marzo hasta 63 unidades en abril, cifra que además supera con creces al consenso de 56,7 puntos. De esta forma el sector manufacturero estadounidense comienza a reflejar cierta recuperación.
Emerging-market shares dropped on Wednesday snapping their monthly gains amid speculation that the U.S. Federal Reserve policy meeting taking place today may result in keeping the current monetary policy as the economy eased more than forecast in the Q1. The MSCI Emerging Markets Index lost 0.5% to 995.16 by 1:33 p.m. London time.
The European benchmark Brent crude slipped on Wednesday after the Russian Federation President Vladimir Putin cautioned against more sanctions on the country over Ukraine and as crude stockpiles in the U.S. expanded to the highest level in 83 years. Brent for delivery in June slid 77 cents to $108.21 on the London's ICE Futures Europe exchange.
West Texas Intermediate crude dropped on Wednesday trading session and it headed for the largest monthly drop since November 2013 amid speculation that inventories in the U.S., the world's biggest consumer, advanced to more than 83-year high. WTI for settlement in June lost $1.27 to $100.01 per barrel on the NYMEX and was last seen at $100.10 by 12:23 p.m.
The majority of European equities dropped on Wednesday trading session following an increase towards their three-week highs after a government report showed that gross domestic product in the U.S. eased by more than economists projected in the Q1. The Stoxx Europe 600 Index fell 0.2% to 337.44 as of 2 p.m. London time snapping its monthly gain to 0.9%.
Inflation measured as consumer price index in Italy accelerated in the month of April following previous drops, a report published by the statistical office ISTAT unveiled on Wednesday. The country's consumer price index grew 0.6% on an annual basis in April following a 0.4% gain recorded in March, while it was originally seen to be rising by 0.5%.
Italian labour market remained unchanged in the month of March as the jobless rate maintained near the highest level all-time, the latest data released by the statistical office ISTAT unveiled on Wednesday. According to the data, the Italy's unemployment rate recorded 12.7% in March staying at the strongest level since 1977.
Retail sales in Portugal increased in the month of March, however the pace of growth weakened from the February's level, a data published by the Statistics Portugal showed on Wednesday. According to the report, the country's retail sales advanced by 1.3% on an annual basis in March following a 1.7% advanced in the month before.
Industrial output in Portugal dropped in the month of March falling for the first time in a seven-month period, the latest report published by the Statistics Portugal showed on Wednesday. According to the report, the country's industrial production slipped annually by 1.3% in March following a 3.1% growth in February.
GDP in the world's largest economy increased in the first three months of this year, however the pace of growth was lower than economists originally project, a data published by the Commerce Department showed on Wednesday. According to the report, the U.S. GDP grew 0.1% in the Q1 following a 2.6% gain in the Q4 of 2013.
Consumer prices in Spain advanced in April matching economists' projections after recording a drop in the prior month, the latest data unveiled by the statistical office INE showed on Wednesday. According to the report, the Spanish consumer prices rose by 0.4% on an annual basis in April following a decrease by 0.1% in the month before.
Employment in the world's largest economy advanced in April as the private sector employment increased by much more than initially estimated, the latest data revealed by the Labor Department showed on Wednesday. According to the report, the U.S. employment in private sector added 220,000 new jobs in the month of April compared to 210,000 jobs originally forecast.
Housing starts in the Asia's second largest economy dropped on March falling by more than economists originally projected, a report released by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism showed on Wednesday. Japan's housing starts slipped by 2.9% on an annual basis in March following a 1.0% gain in the prior month.
Government bonds across Eurozone increased on Wednesday trading session reversing previous drops after a report unveiled that inflation in the area advanced in April suggesting that the European Central Bank may keep its current policy for now. German bund yields gained to 1.52% following an advanced to 1.49%, whereas Italian and Spanish bonds added 0.01% to 3.11% and 3.06% respectively.
The Eurozone's currency increased on Wednesday recovering from previous drops after a report showed that inflation in the euro-area accelerated by 0.7% in April cooling speculation that the European Central Bank may cut its benchmark interest rates further next week. The Euro rose versus the U.S. Dollar to a level of $1.3824 today.
Wall Street shares swung between gains and losses on Wednesday trading session after a government report showed that gross domestic product in the U.S. by less than expected in the first three months of this year. The benchmark index Standard & Poor's futures slipped 2 points, the Dow Jones industrial average futures lost 2 points and the Nasdaq Composite futures fell 10 points.
Daimler AG, the third biggest luxury car manufacturer in the world, announced a considerable 95% increase in profit for the first three months of this year, as EBIT reached 1.79 billion euros. At the same time, despite rise in sales, Mercedes cars division contributed only 7% to total sales, less than predicted at 10%. Today, Daimler AG shares drop 2.2%