Chinese shipments abroad decreased in March with both exports and imports falling by more than forecast suggesting that the local economy is struggling to maintain its momentum, a data published by the General Administration of Customs unveiled on Thursday. China's exports slipped 6.6% on an annual basis in March, while imports dropped 11.3% in the same month.
Unemployment rate in Australia increased in the month of March rising by slightly more than economists initially projected, a data unveiled by the Australia Bureau of Statistics showed on Thursday. According to the report, the country's jobless rate rose to 5.8% in March compared to a level of 6.1% originally forecast.
Merchandise trade balance in the world's second largest economy posted a surplus in March exceeding initial economists' expectations, a report revealed by the custom office showed on Thursday. The country's merchandise trade surplus recorded $7.71 billion in March following a shortfall totaling $23.0 billion in February, while it was seen to post a $0.9 billion surplus .
U.S. wholesale inventories advanced in February rising by less than originally projected by economists, a report released by the Commerce Department showed on Thursday. According to the report, the world's largest economy wholesale inventories jumped by 0.5% in February following a 0.5% gain in the month before.
The Japanese Yen appreciated versus most counterparts while the Aussie reversed advances after China's trade data that indicated on unexpected decline in country's imports and exports. The Yen added 0.2% to 101.76 per Dollar at 7:12 a.m. London time, while it gained 0.3% to 140.88 per Euro, after sliding 0.6% on Wednesday. The greenback traded at $1.3845 per Euro after
U.S. equities closed higher on Wednesday after the Federal Reserve released a report from the last policy meeting suggesting that the bank may be more cautious towards raising interest rates than originally forecast. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index added 1.09% to 1,872.18, the Dow Jones industrial average climbed 1.11% to 16,437.18 and the Nasdaq Composite index rose to 1.72%
The New Zealand's currency climbed on Thursday trading session rising against its U.S. counterpart after jobs data in the country's biggest trade partner, Australia, increase more than projected last month and as China's trade data surprisingly weakened. The so-called Kiwi gained to $0.8746, the highest level in 2 ½ years, and it last traded at $0.8717.
The Australian Dollar increased on Thursday trading session hitting the strongest level since November 2013 against the U.S. Dollar after a data showed that employment in the country rose more than forecast last month. The so-called Aussie climbed as much as 0.2% to $0.9409 and it traded near a level of $0.9440, the most in five months.
The U.S. Dollar advanced on Thursday trading session with the index measuring its performance against most traded currencies fluctuating near the lowest level reached in 2013 after the Federal Reserve released minutes from the last policy meeting. The U.S. Dollar index was last seen at 79.52 as the Greenback fell to $1.3850 versus the Euro and it climbed to 101.88
The majority of Asian shares increased on Thursday session extending their previous gains after the U.S. Federal Reserve released its minutes of the latest policy meeting signaling that the bank may be cautious towards lifting interest rates. The MSCI Asia-Pacific outside Japan jumped as much as 0.1% hitting the highest level if five months and the Nikkei stock index climbed
The European benchmark Brent crude decreased on Wednesday trading session after the government of Libya declared that two ports given back from rebels started working again and oil exports will continue. Brent for delivery in May traded 34 cents lower at a level of $107.33 per barrel on the London's Ice Futures Europe exchange.
West Texas Intermediate crude declined on Tuesday session falling from the strongest levels in four weeks after a report showed that stockpiles increased in the U.S., the world's largest consumer of oil. WTI for settlement in May slipped as much as $0.53 to $102.03 per barrel on the NYMEX and was last seen at $102.15 by 9:57 a.m. in London.
The U.S. Treasuries increased on Wednesday with the benchmark 10-year notes falling for the first session in a five-day period before an auction today totalling $21 billion of the 10-year securities and as investors awaited for the Fed's minutes released today. The 10-year notes gained two basis points to 2.70% by 10:17 a.m. London time.
Chinese equities mostly increased on Wednesday trading session with the benchmark Shanghai stock index reaching the strongest level in six weeks on signs that the People's Bank of China may use stimulus to support the country's growth. The Shanghai Composite Index climbed 0.3%, while the Hang Seng China Enterprises Index rose 0.6% to its highest level in three months.
Emerging-market equities increased on Wednesday trading session rising towards the highest level in four months as the gains were led by technology companies on China's signals that the government may support the economy by financial aid. The MSCI Emerging Markets Index jumped as much as 0.5% to 1,016.40 as of 11:26 a.m. London time.
Industrial output in Greece increased in February rising for the third successive month and at the fastest rate in sixteen months, the latest figures showed by the Hellenic Statistical Authority unveiled on Wednesday. The country's industrial production advanced on an annual basis by 1.7% in February after growing by 1.1% in the prior month.
New Zealand's credit card spending in retail remained unchanged in March missing economists' projections of an advance, a data published by the Statistics New Zealand unveiled on Wednesday. According to the data, the country's credit card spending in retail sector stayed flat in March following previous month's gain of 0.8%, while total card spending slipped 0.2%.
The negative trade balance of the U.K. decreased slightly in February of the current year, as a fall in imports was stronger than a decrease in exports. The gap slipped to 9.1 billion pounds, down from 9.5 billion pounds in January. Exports went down 1.6%, while imports plunged 2.2%. Aircraft imports slid 46% month-on-month and was the largest contributor to
Exports in the Europe's largest economy dropped in February falling by more than economists initially estimated, whereas imports advanced for the second straight month, the statistical office Destatis reported on Wednesday. Germany's exports slid 1.3% in the first month of 2014 compared to 0.5% slide originally forecast, while imports gained 0.4% in January.
The government of Sweden raised its predictions for economic growth in the country for current year, as now economy is expected to add 2.7% thid year and 3.3% in 2015, after the 1.5% advance during the previous year. At the same time, budget forecasts see a balance between revenues and spending in 2016, while in 2018 the government plans to
South Korean unemployment decreased in March with the jobless rate falling significantly on the month, a report unveiled by the Statistics Korea showed on Wednesday. According to the report, the nation's jobless rate fell from February's level of 3.9% to 3.5% in the following month, while economists originally expected the figure to record 3.6%.
Home loans in Australia increased in February with the total number of new loans for homes rising by 2.3% on a sequential basis standing at 52,460, a report unveiled by the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed on Wednesday. According to the report, the nation's new loan figure exceeded forecast of a 1.5% growth after staying flat in January.
Australia's consumer confidence slightly advanced in the month of April following previous drops, however the figure stayed below a level of 100 signalling optimism in the sentiment, a report released by the Westpac Bank showed on Wednesday. According to the report, the country's consumer sentiment added 0.3% to 99.7 in April after falling 0.7% in the month before.
The Central Bank of Sweden announced no changes in the monetary policy after its meeting on Wednesday, pointing on economic recovery in the country, which may lead to increase in prices and decrease risks of deflation. The decision to keep the rate at 0.75% level was in line with economists' forecasts. As expected, the average interest rate will reach 0.73%