The trade balance of Belgium posted a much smaller deficit in November of the last year, comparing with a year ago, as exports jumped and imports dropped. The total negative gap decreased to 0.3 billion euro versus 2 billion euro a year ago. Moreover, in October even a surplus of trade was registered. Exports in November advanced 2.4% annually, while
Car registrations in Europe dropped in 2013, while the total number of new cars sold reached the lowest level since 1995. There were 1.7% less or 11.8 million cars sold during the previous year. At the same time, in December alone they surged 13.3% with the U.K. market remaining the fastest-growing, where sales were up 23.8%. Spain sales were up
Consumer price index in the largest economy of the Eurozone rose in December of the last year, reaching 1.4% from 1.3% a month before, the Destatis data showed on Thursday. At the same time, the annual inflation for the whole year 2013 was 1.5%, down from 2% in 2012. ECB defines the stable level of inflation at 2% mark and
Activity in the service sector of Japan increased less than forecasted in November of the previous year, as the corresponding index inched up 0.6%, reaching 100.1 points. Analysts predicted the index to rise 0.7% after a 0.9% decline in October. According to the data, activity surged in finance, real estate and retail industries, while communications and utilities saw a decline
Australian jobless rate remained flat in the last month of 2013 matching initial economists' projections, a report published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed on Thursday. According to the report, the country's unemployment rate came in at 5.8% in December as the country lost 22,600 jobs on the month totaling 11,629,500.
Foreign direct investment in the Asian largest economy advanced in the last month of 2013, a report published by the Ministry of Commerce showed on Thursday. According to the report, China's foreign direct investment increased 3.3% on an annual basis in December totaling $12.08 billion after recording a level of $8.5 billion in the previous month.
Core machinery orders in the Asian second largest economy climbed to the highest level in five years in November suggesting that local companies may raise wages and increase investments in the region, a report published by the Bank of Japan showed on Thursday. According to the report, Japan's core machinery orders rose 9.3% in November compared to a level of
The Canadian Dollar remained mostly flat on Thursday trading session after slightly rebounding in the previous session amid speculation that the Bank of Canada may take action in its monetary policy cutting the interest rates as the country reported weak domestic data. The so-called Loonie traded at C$1.0963 per U.S. Dollar, close to the lowest level in four years at
The Australian currency declined on Thursday trading session falling towards the lowest level against the U.S. Dollar since August 2010 on speculation that the Reserve Bank of Australian may cut interest rates further after a report showed that employers decreased jobs in December. The so-called Aussie slipped 1% to $0.8797, the least in almost 3 ½ years.
The U.S. Dollar increased on Thursday hitting the strongest level in a week against the Japanese currency after a government report showed that producer prices in the country rose more than expected and as the Bank of America reported earnings. The so-called Greenback strengthened 0.2% to 104.79 yen after rising 0.3% from 102.85 on Monday.
The majority of Asian stocks remained flat together with the gauge of Australian equities increasing as risk appetite of investors improved amid signs that global economy is recovering after favourable U.S. data released yesterday. The MSCI broadest Asia-Pacific gauge stayed flat and the Australian benchmark index rose 1%.
U.S. shares gained, following their biggest advance this year, after the World Bank increased global growth forecast and factory output gained in New York. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index added 0.2% to 1,841.70 as of 9:30 a.m. New York time; however, the equity-benchmark has declined 0.5% this year to date.
The trade surplus of the Eurozone showed a significant improvement in November of the last year, however, it rose much less than analysts forecasted. The surplus totaled 16 billion euro versus 14.7 billion in October, while the average expectation stood at 16.7 billion euro. Exports unexpectedly declined 0.2% for the first time since August, while a decrease in imports worsened
European shares rose, with the regional benchmark Stoxx Europe 600 Index advancing for a fourth consecutive day, after the World Bank increased global growth forecast. The Stoxx 600 added 0.5% to 332.90 as of 9:36 a.m. London time, adding to its four-day climb and the gauge closed at the highest level in more than five years.
U.K. shares gained for a fourth straight day, with the regional benchmark FTSE 100 Index touching the highest level in 11 weeks, after the World Bank raised its growth forecasts. The FTSE 100 Index rose 0.3% to 6,789.19 as of 8:59 a.m. London time, after it has advanced 1.5% in the past four days, The FTSE All-Share Index added 0.3%,
The Australian Dollar dropped, prolonging its biggest decline in a month against the U.S. counterpart, ahead of tomorrow's jobs data that is forecasted to remain at its current level. The Aussie slid 0.5% to 89.19 U.S. cents at 4:57 p.m. Sydney time, after depreciating 1% on Monday, while the Kiwi slipped 0.5% to 83.40 U.S. cents.
Latvia has successfully launched its first euro bonds sale in 2014 yesterday, as the country sold one billion euro of debt. The yields declined, as the country joined the Eurozone in the beginning of this year, meaning that it is now safer to lend money to Latvia. Seven-year bond yields dropped to 2.815% in 2014 from 3.125% in 2009 when
According to the preliminary data, economic growth in Germany reached 0.4% in the previous year after a 0.7% rise in 2012, while analysts predicted the GDP to add 0.5%. At the same time, the budget deficit in Germany totaled 0.1%. Private consumption in the country rose 0.9%, government spending advanced 1.1%, while exports and imports increased 0.6% and 1.3%, respectively.
The total number of machine tool orders in Japan jumped considerably in December of the last year, as there were 28% more orders than in December of the year ago. In money terms, orders reached 1116.98 billion yen. It is worth pointing out that domestic orders rose 41.6%, while export demand increased 21.9%. Moreover, counting the whole year 2013, orders
The number of registrations of new vehicles in Australia started to increase in the last month of the previous year, after a 0.7% decline in November, as they added 1.7% in December. The sales totaled 97,014 vehicles. Meanwhile, passenger vehicles' registrations were up only 0.7%. By region, the biggest rise in sales was registered in Western Australia (5.2%) and Queensland
Retail sales in Switzerland jumped considerably in November of the previous year, the data of the Statistical Office showed today. The indicator climbed 4.2% on the annual basis, while economists expected it to add 1.7%. Excluding fuel, sales surged 3.9% year-on-year, but from October they rose 1.8%. Sales of food, tobacco and drinks added 3%, while non-food sales advanced 4%.
Indian currency declined on Wednesday snapping its two-day fall amid speculation that the U.S. Federal Reserve may scale back its stimulus as soon as on the next policy meeting as the economy improves reducing inflows to emerging markets. The Rupee dropped 0.1% to 61.5525 per U.S. Dollar by 10:34 a.m. Mumbai time from January 13, since the market was closed
The British Sterling weakened against the U.S. Dollar after recording the largest advanced in over two weeks yesterday before the Bank of England Governor Mark Carney speaks about financial stability to U.K. lawmakers. The Pound slipped 0.2% to $1.6401 as of 7:43 a.m. in London following an increase by 0.4% yesterday, the largest gain since December 27.
Gold declined on Wednesday trading session falling for the second straight day from the strongest level in four weeks as the precious rally reduces demand and as the U.S. Federal Reserve may continue scale back its stimulus measures as the economy improves. Bullion for delivery in January slid 0.5% to $1,239 an ounce and was last seen at $1,242.03 as