Inflation measured as consumer price index in the Asia's second largest economy increased on an annual basis in March matching economists' expectations, the latest data released by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications unveiled on Friday. According to the data, the country's CPI grew by 1.6% in March following a 1.5% advanced in the prior month.
The U.S. currency declined earlier on Thursday falling against the Japanese Yen as escalating geopolitical tension in Ukraine offset favourable economic data from the world's largest economy showing that durable goods rose more than forecast last month. The Greenback was last seen at 102.30 yen, the weakest level in a week.
Wall Street shared closed slightly higher on Thursday trading session with the benchmark stock index Nasdaq Composite rising amid a rally of Apple shares on data showing sales of its iPad. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index added as much as 0.17% to 1,878.61, the Dow Jones industrial average closed unchanged at 16,501.65 and the Nasdaq Composite index grew 0.52%
The majority of Asia's shared tumbled on Friday trading session amid concerns that the geopolitical crisis in Ukraine is escalating as the country's forces killed about five pro-Russia separatists, this overshadowed upbeat economic data from the U.S. as technology sector increased. The MSCI Asia-Pacific gauge outside Japan fell as much as 0.3% erasing gains recorded earlier on the session.
The European stocks advanced recovering form yesterdays drop on merger and acquisition activity. The Stoxx 600 Index jumped 0.6% from which the biggest gain was for Alstom SA, which gained the most in 15 months as General Electrics Co. is considering to buy French train maker.
The German business sentiment unexpectedly improved in April as businesses were more optimistic about their future activities. Business confidence in April advanced to 111.2, while it was expected to tumble to 110.4. The biggest sentiment increase was in manufacturing, which reached its highest level in three years.
The U.K. Pound slipped from the highest two-month value against the shared currency after the European Central Bank president Mario Draghi emphasized the importance of the exchange rate and mentioned that additional easing actions could be taken. The Eurozone's currency advanced 0.1% and was also driven by the German business sentiment, which exceeded analysts' expectations.
Spanish gross domestic product advanced 0.4% in the first quarter as the Prime Minister Mario Rajoy asked the European Central bank to support recovery threatened by the Euro appreciation and deflation. Further growth of the economy is expected as consumer confidence and industrial production increases, the Bank of Spain forecasts the economy to grow 1.2% this year.
The majority of European stocks declined earlier on Thursday trading session snapping their three day winning streak after a report showed that new houses sales in the world's largest economy slipped in March and as investors weighed PMI data from China to the U.S. The Stoxx Europe 600 Index tumbled 0.6% to 335.05 and it had advanced 3.2% in the
The European benchmark Brent crude dropped on Thursday session after the Energy Department reported that stockpiles in the U.S. may have gained to the highest level since 1931 and as tension between Ukraine and Russia eased. Brent for delivery in June advanced as much as 19 cents to $109.30 per barrel on the London's ICE Futures Europe exchange.
West Texas Intermediate crude declined on Thursday trading session and was trade close to the weakest level in two weeks as inventories in the U.S., the world's largest oil consumer, advanced to the strongest level in a period of 83 years. WTI for settlement in June was traded 25 cents higher at $101.69 per barrel on the NYMEX as of
The Japanese currency advanced on Thursday trading session rising versus the U.S. Dollar amid speculation that tomorrow's inflation report released by the Bank of Japan may show a slow-down suggesting further stimulus in the country. The Yen gained 0.2% to 102.32 a U.S. Dollar as of 6:26 a.m. London time and it was last traded at 141.43 a Euro.
Order expectations among British manufacturers improved for the second quarter of this year as expectations for output and domestic orders growth hit the strongest levels since 1973, a report released by the Confederation of British Industry unveiled on Wednesday. According to the report, the country's order book balance gained to 21% in the Q1, the most since 1995, while general
Rate of expansion of gross domestic product in South Korea accelerated in the first three months of 2014 rising by more than economists originally expected, the latest data published by the Bank of Korea showed on Thursday. According to the report, the country's GDP advanced by 0.9% in the Q1 compared to a 0.8% gain initially estimated.
Service prices of corporate sector in the Asia's second largest economy advanced on an annual basis in March matching initial economists' expectations, a data released by the Bank of Japan showed on Thursday. According to the report, the country's index measuring service prices in a corporate sector gained by 0.7% in March remaining unchanged from February.
Private sector in the 18-nation bloc recorded an increase in the month of April rising at the fastest rate in almost three years despite deflation fears across the area, a report released by the Markit Economics showed on Wednesday. According to the report, the euro-area private sector grew from a level of 53.1 points in March to 54.0 in the
Government deficit of the Eurozone narrowed last year matching the European Union's target for the period, however public debt in the area increased and stayed above the EU official ceiling, the latest report published by Eurostat showed on Wednesday. According to the report, the 18-nation bloc deficit shrunk to 3% in 2013 from a level of 3.7% in 2012.
A leading index of economic activity in the world's second largest economy advanced in March with the pace of growth exceeding gains in the first two months of this year, the latest data published by the Conference Board showed on Thursday. The nation's leading economic index inched higher 1.2% on a sequential basis in March following 0.9% jump in February
Car production in the United Kingdom notably advanced in the month of March mainly due to a robust demand coming from Europe, a report revealed by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders unveiled on Thursday. According to the report, the nation's car manufacturing gained 12% on an annual basis in March totaling 142,000 units.
The U.S. Dollar swung between gains and losses earlier on Thursday trading session after the U.S. Dollar index measuring its performance against most-traded peers ended close to the weakest level in one week on Wednesday. The U.S. Index was last seen at 79.845 as the Greenback was traded at a level of $1.3820 against the European currency.
The New Zealand's currency advanced on Thursday trading session rallying against its U.S. counterpart after the Reserve Bank of New Zealand signaled that it may lift its benchmark interest rates again this year as the economy improves. The so-called Kiwi added to a level of $0.8611 as the bank said it may hike the rates from 2.75% to 3.00% soon.
Wall Street shares closed lower on Thursday trading session snapping their streak of gains lasting for six straight days as drop of AT&T and biotech shares overshadowed increase of Boeing and Gilead. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index slipped 0.22% to 1,875.39, the Nasdaq Composite Index fell 0.83% to 4,126.967 and the Dow Jones industrial average tumbled 0.08% to 16,501.65.
Asian shares swung between gains and losses on Thursday trading session with the South Korean benchmark falling despite an 0.6% increase of Samsung Electronics and as Japan's Nikkei 225 Stocks average lost 0.6%, while the Singapore's gauge advance as much as 0.5% on the session. The MSCI broadest Asia-Pacific gauge outside Japan inched higher 0.1%.
The European benchmark Brent oil decreased on Tuesday after a report showed that inventories in the world's largest oil consumer, U.S., advanced 3 million barrels in the week ended on April 18 after the supplies gained to the highest level in 9 months in the week before. Brent for delivery in June slipped $0.54 to $109.41 per barrel on the