Trade balance gap in France narrowed as the balance shortfall shrank in October mainly due to drop in imports, a report published by the country's customs office revealed on Friday. According to the report, France's trade deficit fell to 4.69 billion euros in October compared to a 5.5 billion shortfall preliminary expected and after the balance came in deficit of
A leading economic indicator in the Asia's second largest economy measuring aggregate activity advanced more than preliminary estimated in the month of October, a report published by the Cabinet Office revealed on Friday. Japan's business conditions leading index gained from September's 109.2 to 109.9 in the following month, while it was forecast to record 109.7.
Wholesale sales in New Zealand recovered in the three-month period until September after recording a drop in the previous quarter, the latest data revealed by the Statistics New Zealand showed on Friday. New Zealand's wholesale sales rose 1.5% on a sequential basis in Q3 following a 1.3% drop in the June quarter, while in the Q1 the sales advanced 0.5%.
Consumer confidence in Switzerland advanced in November rising for the first time in a two-year period, while it was forecast to decline on the month, a report published by the Federal Statistical Office unveiled on Friday. According to the report, the Swiss consumer confidence index gained 0.1% on an annual basis in November after losing 0.3% in October.
The European Central Bank President Mari Draghi claimed that the bank is ready to support the economic growth and implement measures in order to maintain a momentum, however, he was not sure what tools to use when. The ECB maintained the benchmark interest rates unchanged on yesterday's policy meeting at a historic low of 0.25%.
The number of jobs created in the world's largest economy is likely to expand in November, however, it may be not enough for the U.S. Federal Reserve to trim its stimulus measures in order to spur the economic growth. The U.S. jobless rate is set to drop from 7.3 in October to 7.2 in the following month, while non-farm payrolls
Asian equities stayed flat on Friday before a government report showed results from the U.S. labour market suggesting whether the Federal Reserve keeps its aggressive monetary easing totaling $85 billion a month on the next policy meeting in two weeks. The MCSI broadest Asia-Pacific gauge outside Japan fluctuated, while Shanghai index slipped 0.5%.
The total number of new orders to American manufacturers decreased 0.9% in October of the current year, as the weak demand for capital goods, transportation goods and aircraft turned the indicator into the red zone. Economists, however, predicted them to fall 1% in. In September orders, in turn, added 1.8%. It is said that new orders for transportation goods dropped
The consumer price index in Russia surged in November of this year more than economists forecasted, as the indicator exceeds the government's target of 5-6% already for 15 months in a row. The inflation level in the country reached 6.5% in November versus 6.3% a month earlier. Moreover, the government officials said that the inflation will not succeed in falling
The economic growth in the United States jumped to 3.6% in the July-September quarter of the current year, as the latest report showed a significant surge in inventories. They climbed 1.9% in the last quarter. At the same time, the consumer spending in the country declined. Economists forecasted the U.S. economy to add 3.1% in Q3, while the initial report
The confidence level among American consumers jumped to its largest level since October during the last week, as the benchmark Bloomberg indicator rose to -31.3 points, while the previous value was -33.7 points. Therefore, losses made by the U.S. government Shutdown were almost fully erased. Moreover, the consumer confidence during the Thanksgiving week this year is the biggest since 2007.
U.S. jobless claims dropped surprisingly past week to more than a two-month low as it gets harder to adapt for seasonal variations. Unemployment claims fell to 298,000 in the previous week that ended November 30, according to Labor Department; however, economists predicted a rise to 320,000. This reading is the lowest in almost three months.
The European Central Bank left its benchmark lending rate unchanged at its record low as they kept the refinancing rate at 0.25%, deposit rate at zero and the lending rate at 0.75%. The inflation and growth forecasts will be released later today at a press conference held by Mario Draghi. Officials stated that there is nothing to panic about in
UK Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne stated that nation's economy will grow 1.4% this year, upgraded from the 0.6% forecasted in March, making it the first growth-forecast raise in three years. Later today the Bank of England will have a policy meeting; however, economists expect that the lawmakers will keep the benchmark interest rate at its record low.
U.S. stock-index futures were little changed as investors speculated on when the Fed will start tapering and as equities declined for a fourth straight day. S&P 500 Index futures expiring this month gained less than 0.1% to 1,792.1 as of 10:12 a.m. London time; however, the gauge has jumped 26% this year. Dow Jones Industrial Average contracts fell less than
Gold dropped in London as investors speculated on the Federal Reserve tapering before tomorrow's unemployment data release. The Yellow metal for immediate delivery declined 0.5% to $1,237.09 an ounce as of 8:09 a.m. London time, after its prices jumped 1.7% on Wednesday, the most since October 22. Bullion for February delivery fell 0.9% to $1,236.20 in New York.
The Canadian Dollar weakened on Thursday falling to the lowest level in a three-year period after the Bank of Canada Governor Stephen Poloz signaled the central bank may lower benchmark interest rates as the country's inflation eases. The so-called Loonie declined 0.3% to C$1.0684 per U.S. Dollar as of 5 p.m. Toronto time following a drop to the weakest level
The Australian currency was 0.4% from the lowest level in three months ahead of data that are expected to show that Australia's trade deficit widened. The Australian Dollar was little changed at 90.36 U.S. cents at 11:05 a.m. Sydney time, after it reached 89.99 on Wednesday, the lowest level since September 3. The Kiwi gained 0.2% to 82.17 U.S. cents,
The British currency declined for a third straight day against Eurozone's currency ahead of the interest-rate decision from the Bank of England, economists expect that officials will keep interest rates unchanged. The Sterling fell 0.1% to 83.09 pence per Euro as of 7:35 a.m. London time, after sliding 0.2% in the last two days. The Pound added 0.1% to $1.6398
Shares in Switzerland were little changed, after falling the most in two days since September, ahead of the European Central Bank and the Bank of England policy meetings. The Swiss Market Index dropped less than 0.1% to 8,045.37 as of 9:45 a.m. Zurich time; however, the gauge has advanced 18% this year to date. The Swiss Performance Index fell less
European shares were little changed, reversing earlier losses, ahead of policy meetings from the European Central Bank and the Bank of England. The Stoxx Europe 600 Index retreated less than 0.1% to 317 as of 8:44 a.m. London time; however, the gauge has added 13% this year to date. Standard & Poor's 500 Index futures slid less than 0.1%, while
The Japanese yen appreciated for a third consecutive day versus the greenback and the 17-nation currency as equities declined, increasing demand for Japan's currency. The Yen gained 0.3% to 102.05 per Dollar at 8:59 a.m. in London, after strengthening 0.6% in the past two days, while it climbed 0.2% to 138.85 per Euro. The Euro added 0.1% to $1.3613 after
India's currency jumped on Thursday rising to the strongest level in five weeks together with an increase of local stocks and government bonds after results from exit polls showed that the country's main opposition party may win state elections next year. The Rupee added 0.7% to 61.6200 per U.S. Dollar by 10:29 a.m. Mumbai time after it touched the highest
U.S. Treasuries declined on Thursday falling to the cheapest level since September amid speculation that tomorrow's labour market report may show that U.S employers added more jobs than originally expected. The 10-year benchmark government bonds were little changed yielded at 2.84% as of 1:39 p.m. Tokyo time and are expected to rise to 3.25 in the Q1 of 2014.