U.S. stock-index futures were little changed, as the Standard & Poor's 500 Index reached record yesterday at the close, as U.S. economic data are awaited by investors. S&P 500 futures expiring in March slid 0.1% to 1,852.6 as of 10:54 a.m. London time; however, it has gained 4% this month. Dow Jones Industrial Average contracts slipped less than 0.1%to 16,265
West Texas Intermediate crude dropped for a second straight day, reversing a monthly gain on speculation that U.S. demand might slow. WTI for April settlement slid 53 cents to $101.87 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange and traded at $102 at 10:02 a.m. in London. Brent for April delivery declined 46 cents to $108.50 a barrel on the
Gold is set for second consecutive monthly advance as worries that the U.S. economic recovery might be losing momentum and unrest in emerging markets increased safe haven demand. The yellow metal for immediate delivery traded at $1,332.61 an ounce as of 9:26 a.m. Singapore time, after it was at $1,331.33 on Thursday. Gold has advanced 11% this year to date.
German shares were little changed, after retreating for three straight days, as the consumer confidence and pending home sales were awaited by investors. The DAX Index added 0.1% to 9,595.91 as of 10:15 a.m. Frankfurt time, it is set for 3.1% monthly advance in February. The HDAX Index rose 0.1% today as well.
U.K. shares were little changed, reversing their biggest one-month advance since July, as some major companies retreated. The FTSE 100 Index slid 0.1% to 6,802.78 as of 10:03 a.m. London time and it has gained 4.5% in February. The FTSE All-Share Index slipped less than 0.1%, while Ireland's ISEQ Index climbed 0.2% today.
Eurozone's currency appreciated to a 2014 high versus the U.S. Dollar as inflation in the Euro area topped analyst estimates. The 18-nation currency gained versus most of the 16 major counterparts. It climbed 0.7% to $1.302 as of 10:40 a.m. in London, after approaching $1.3813, while the Euro rose 0.3% to 140.48 Japanese Yen.
The China's Yuan fell to the weakest level amid speculation the central bank will expand the currency's trading band, which allows greater variability in the second largest economy in the world, while the growth is sliding. The Yuan dropped 0.86% to the lowest level in ten months of 6.1808 against the Dollar. That was the biggest loss in CFETS since 2007.
European stocks expanded with the Stoxx Europe 600 Index that reached the highest level in a month since July, while U.S. stock-index futures and Asian shares almost unchanged. Serco Group Plc almost advanced to its one-year high after the new chief operating officer was named. The Stoxx 600 rose 0.2% to 337.91, the MSCI Asia Pacific stayed the same, while Standard & Poor's 500 Index
Natural gas traded in New York increased on Thursday trading session rebounding from the weakest level in five weeks after a report showed that stockpiles in the U.S. dropped less than economists originally projected. Gas for settlement in April added 0.8% to $4.549 a million British thermal units by 10:43 a.m. on the NYMEX following a fall to $4.441, the
Copper traded in New York declined on Thursday falling towards the weakest level in a three-week period on speculation that economic recovery in the world's largest economy may slow down as China's growth eased reducing demand for copper. Futures for delivery in May slipped 0.7% to $3.192 per pound as of 10:49 a.m. on the New York's Comex.
The U.S. Treasuries increased on Thursday session rising towards the strongest level in nearly three weeks as traders weighed prospect for the country's economy and as political turmoil in Ukraine continued boosting safe-haven demand. The benchmark 10-year yields dropped two basis points to 2.64% as of 10:21 a.m. in New York.
U.S. shares fluctuated as the Standard & Poor's 500 Index traded near its record high, turmoil in Ukraine continued and Fed's Chairman Yellen stated that nation's central bank will continue to taper. The S&P 500 slid 0.1% to 1,844.42 as of 10:27 a.m. New York time, after advancing 0.1%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped less than 0.1% to 16,192.08.
The U.K. currency fell as reports that Russian fighter jets are set on combat alert increased demand for safe haven assets. The Sterling slid 0.2% to $1.6636, while it was little changed at 82.11 pence per Euro, after gaining to 82.01 pence, the highest level since February 18. The British currency has advanced 13% in the last year, making it
European shares retreated for a second straight day as some major companies posted worse than expected profits. The Stoxx Europe 600 Index slid 0.4% to 336.21 as of 9:25 a.m. London time, after its yesterday's fall as Credit Suisse Group AG sent banks lower. Standard & Poor's 500 Index futures decreased less than 0.1%, while the MSCI Asia Pacific Index
Brent crude retreated to a one-week low, narrowing its price WTI to the least in approximately five months. Brent for April delivery declined 71 cents to $108.81 a barrel on the ICE Futures Europe exchange, the lowest level since February 18. WTI for April settlement slipped 40 cents to $102.19 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.
Gold prolonged a retreat from more than four month high as better than expected U.S. housing data supported bets that the Fed will continue to scale back its monetary stimulus. The yellow metal for immediate delivery slid 0.2% to $1,327.32 an ounce as of 9:31 a.m. London time, after it advanced to $1,345.46 day earlier, making it the highest level
Canadian shares were little changed, reversing an earlier advance after trading near the highest level in three years, as uranium gains compensated gold and energy producers retreat. The Standard & Poor's/TSX Composite Index slid less than 0.1% to 14,188.58 as of 4 p.m. Toronto time; however, the equity-benchmark has increased 3.6% in February and is trading 0.6% below its highest
German shares fell for a third consecutive day with Allianz SE as the biggest loser and ahead of statements from European and U.S. central bank officials. The DAX slid 0.8% to 9,581.58 as of 9:31 a.m. Frankfurt time; however, the equity-benchmark has increased 3% this months on the global economic optimism. The HDAX Index slipped 0.8% today.
The Japanese Yen gained for a fourth straight day versus the 18-nation currency as reports that Russian fighter jets are put on combat alert increased demand for safe haven assets. Japan's currency added 0.7% to 139.13 per Euro as of 10:05 a.m. in London, after appreciating 0.6% in the last three days. The Yen climbed 0.5% to 101.92 per U.S.
Gross domestic product for the last quarter in Spain was downwardly revised from an original level of 0.3% to 0.2%, the latest report revealed by the statistical office INE showed on Thursday. According to the report, the country's economic growth measured on a sequential basis improved by 0.1% in the Q4, while for the whole year of 2013 the GDP
Consumer confidence in France decreased in the month of February reversing previous gains mainly due to rising unemployment in the country damping economic expectations, the latest data released by the statistical office INSEE showed on Thursday. The country's consumer confidence index dropped from January's level of 86 to 85 recorded in February.
Merchandise trade balance in New Zealand recorded a surplus at the beginning of 2014 mainly due to an advance in exports by 7.5%, a report released by the Statistics New Zealand showed on Thursday. The country's merchandise trade surplus rose more than expected to NZD306 million, while in December the surplus was NZD493 million.
Current account balance in South Korea came in surplus in January remaining in black figures for the twenty-fourth successive month, a report released by the Bank of Korea unveiled on Thursday. According to the report, the country's current account surplus recorded $3.61 billion in January compared to a surplus recorded in December of $6.43 billion.
Unemployment rate in Germany decreased further at the beginning of 2014, the latest report published by the Federal Statistical Office showed on Thursday. According to the report, the Europe's largest economy jobless rate fell from December's level of 5.1% to a level of 5% in January, while in January 2013 the figure stood at 5.4%.