Hang Seng advanced on Friday on positive economic data from China and Japan. The index climbed 1.4%, or 320.51 points, to close at 23.091.95. All but one sector posted at least 0.9% rally, as 43 out of 50 blue chip companies composing the benchmark index edged higher. The best performing sectors were basic materials and consumer goods. Want Want China
Nikkei jumped on Friday and touched its highest level since Lehman Brothers' collapse in 2008 on positive economic outlook for China's growth and news of Japan planning an aggressive monetary policy, as Haruhiko Kuroda, the nominee for BOJ governor's position, pledged to do what it takes to end the falling prices. The Nikkei 225 index climbed 2.6% to 12,283.62 points.
Dow Jones rose on Thursday and reached its highest level since 1896 when it was founded as the number of people who filed for unemployment benefits declined to a six-week low, indicating a recovery of the labour market. The sectors posting the biggest gains were industrials and financials by jumping 0.7% and 0.5%, respectively. The index surged 0.2%,or 33.25 points,
Spanish industrial production decreased more in the month of January with the pace of reduction slowing down to its lowest level in three months, the Ine statistical office showed in a report on Friday. Year-on-year, the country's industrial output dropped 5% in the first month of 2013 compared to a 6% slid initially forecast, following a 7.1 fall recorded in
Consumer prices in Switzerland fell at the steady pace matching economists' predictions in February, the Federal Statistical Office showed in a report on Friday. The report said the consumer price index declined in February at the same pace as it did the month before, when it dropped annually by 0.3%, while on a monthly basis it also advanced 0.3% in
Shares on Wall Street continued their rally on Friday with the Dow Jones Industrial Average and Standard & Poor's 500 Index rising for the fifth straight day after a yesterday's report showed a smaller number of jobless claims in the U.S. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.23% to 14,329.49, the S&P 500 Index added 0.18% to 1,544.26 and the
Gold futures for April delivery were up by 0.2% to $1,577.8 an ounce on the Comex in New York, but spot price was unchanged at $1,579.4 in Singapore on Friday. Gold set for a 0.2% weekly gain after falling four weeks in a row. Market bets on better data from the U.S. labor market, as payrolls should be 165,000 in
U.S. shares reached another record high close as data showed the applications for jobless benefits dropped to the lowest in six weeks, indicating a recovery of the nation's labour market. The S&P 500 Index advanced 0.2% to 1,544.79. All but two groups edged higher. Financial blue chip companies posted biggest gains among all S&P 500 components, as the financial shares were 0.6%
Japan's Nikkei 225 went up on Friday erasing its losses from the Lehman Brothers Holdings collapse, due to a decline of the Japanese currency against the U.S. Dollar falling to its lowest level in a 3 ½-year period. The Nikkei 225 Stock Average advanced 2.6% to 12,283.62, the highest level since September 15, 2008. The broader Topix Index gained 1.6%
European stock futures advanced on Friday amid an optimism brought to the markets as Japan's economic growth bounced back from contraction in the Q4. Euro Stoxx 50 Index futures added 0.5% to 2,699 earlier on Friday, while U.K.'s FTSE 100 Index gained 0.2%. So far this year, the Stoxx Europe 600 Index has added 4.8% heading for its largest biggest
WTI oil futures for April settlement were 21 cents lower to $91.35 per barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange in Singapore session on Friday, but in the previous session the price increased by $1.13, the biggest gain since 11th of February and the highest closing point since 28th of February. Currently price heads for a 0.7% weekly gain. Oil is traded
The MSCI Asia Pacific Index was higher by 0.5% to 135.87 points in the second part of Tokyo trading session on Friday. The major region gauge heads for 0.9% weekly advance, extending gains for a third straight week. Japan's Nikkei 225 index recovered to a pre-crisis level, as the domestic economy demonstrates growth. Also, China announced a positive exports data,
Rural commodities ended Thursday's session on the positive note, being supported by weakness in the US Dollar and improved demand for risky assets. Bullish USDA export report supported grains, while logistics problems in Brazilian ports pushed softs higher. Wheat rallied after the USDA report showed US export beat estimates last week. However, gains were cut as the FAO raised its forecast
Industrial production in Finland declined for the third time in a row in January, the Statistics Finland showed in report on Friday. Year-on-year, the country's industrial output dropped 4.8% in the first month of 2013 following an 0.7% slide in December and a 1.1% fall recorded the month before. Monthly change of the production showed a 3.6% drop in January
Energy futures advanced on Thursday as positive headlines from the US boosted optimism over energy demand prospects. Moreover, uncertainty over political situation in Venezuela sent the commodity group higher. Crude oil gained on hopes economic recovery in the US will result in a jump in energy demand. However, the recent EIA report restricted upward move of the commodity. EIA reported
Japanese economy watchers' outlook for the futures as well as of the current economic conditions improved further in February, an Eco Watchers' survey unveiled on Friday. The Eco Watchers' index assessing a condition of the current economic conditions grew from January's 49.5 to 53.2 the following month, while the outlook indicator reflecting assessment of the future economic situation rose from
China's exports grew above economists' projection in the month of February, at the same time imports fell more than expected, the General Administration of Customs reported on Friday. The reports showed a 21.8% annual increase of exports in February compared to forecast of an 8.1% gain, while imports dropped 15.2%, much more than an 8.5% drop initially expected.
Base metals were bullish on Thursday amid encouraging data from the US labor market coupled with soft greenback. However, gains were capped as market players were cautious ahead of China's trade numbers due on Friday. Aluminum rose on optimism over the US economy. At the same time, expectations of larger supply glut continued to push the lightweight metal lower. On Wednesday,
Yesterday the pair was pushed down from the monthly R1 level at 0.9488, but the price has not reached any reasonable support level and today attempts to regain the lost positions.
USD/JPY firmly steps higher, as the pair checked the Bollinger band yesterday and during today's trading session continues to appreciate.
GBP/USD pair eased its pace of depreciation and the variability decreased as well.
EUR/USD noticeably appreciated in the last session, as the U.S. labour market data indicated improving situation.
Precious metals were mixed on Thursday after central banks in Europe and Asia left their monetary policies unchanged. Moreover, positive data from the US jobs market added pressure on the commodity group. At the same time, weaker greenback lent support for precious metals. Gold traded in the negative area as investors were disappointed by after the ECB and BOJ announced no
The Australian Dollar lost 0.2% and was traded at $1.0242 in the end of Sydney session on Friday. The currency was pushed down by China's imports data, which indicated a bigger contraction than market consensus was. China's statistics department announced that import contracted by 15.2% in February, after a 28.8% expansion in January.