Manufacturing activity in the Philadelphia's area recorded a modest fall in the month of April, while business activity in the area stayed at the same level, the Federal Bank of Philadelphia reported on Thursday. The Philly Fed index of current activity decreased by 1.3% in April after it rose by 2.0% in March, while it was forecast to gain 3.3%.
A leading index of economic activity in the U.S. surprisingly declined in March after rising three straight months, a data unveiled by the Conference Board showed on Thursday. The data showed that the Conference Board leading index slipped 0.1% in March after it rose by 0.5% in February, while it was preliminary estimated to advance by 0.3%.
Bank loan demand in Japan advanced in the first three month of 2013 as rising sales caused a decrease in internally generated funds of customers, the report released by the Bank of Japan unveiled on Thursday. According to the report firm demand for loans increased from 4 points in the Q4 to 5 points in the Q1, while the index
China's Yuan was set for the biggest weekly appreciation in three months as the central bank showed plans to expand a trading band that's been limiting advance since October. The currency gained 0.21% and reached 6.1792 per greenback. Official data indicates that due to massive capital inflow, China's foreign-exchange reserves, which are the largest in the whole world, climbed by $128 billion to a peak of
The Won poised for a second weekly advance as tensions with North Korea reduced after the U.S. agreed to work with South Korea, China and Japan to involve the country into nuclear talks. The South Korean currency added 0.9% and reached to 1,119.70 per greenback and was heading for its biggest weekly gain in two months.
The so-called lonnie traded at almost the lowest in one month as G-20 meeting took place in Washington, indicating that the central bank are likely to implement measures to stimulate economic growth. The Canadian currency remained almost unchanged at C$1.0264 per greenback, after advancing earlier to C$1.0230. Yesterday it stood at C$1.0294, the lowest level since the beginning of March.
The Yen declined versus the greenback as Taro Aso, Japanese Finance Minister, indicated policies carried out after the currency fell to the lowest in four years went unopposed at the G-20 meeting in Washington. The Japanese currency plummeted 0.5% to 128.73 per Euro and slid 0.4% to 98.55 per U.S. Dollar, poising for a fourth day of declines. The shared currency advanced 0.1 to $1.3065.
South Korean currency depreciated on Thursday recording its biggest drop in more than a week after demand for riskier assets was reduced amid concerns about weaker global economic recovery, while government bonds increased. The Won declined by 0.5% to 1,123.69 per U.S. dollar in Seoul, the largest fall since April 8, while yields on South Korean 2.75% government bonds due
Retail sales in the United Kingdom fell more than originally expected in March mainly due to a decrease in sales of non-food stores, the report released by the Office for National Statistics showed on Thursday. According to the report retail sales slipped sequentially 0.7% in March reversing an increase of 2.1% recorded in the month before, while retail sales were
Italian and Spanish government bonds increased on Thursday as Span set to auction notes due between 2016 and 2023 in total amount of 4.5 billion euro and as Italian lawmakers try to break political deadlock with ballots for the head of the state. Spain's 10-year yields slipper three basis points to 4.65% and Italy'10-year rate declined one basis point to
Emerging-market shares fell to the weakest level in almost a five-month period on Thursday after lower prices of commodities dragged down producers and as suppliers of Apple Inc. retreated. The MSCI Emerging Market Index decreased by 0.3% to 997.95 as of 2:12 p.m. Hong Kong time heading for the weakest closing price since November 28.
Government bonds of Australia increased, pushing the benchmark 10-year rates down to the lowest level in more than a four-month period amid speculation that the Reserve Bank of Australia will cut borrowing costs. 10-year yields dropped nine basis points to 3.17%, the lowest in four months, while the three-year rate was at 2.68%, the weakest since January 24.
The U.S. Dollar depreciated versus most of its 16 major peers on Thursday before reports were released showing that the total number of Americans claiming unemployment benefits rose and a leading economic indicator slowed down. The so-called Greenback slid 0.2% to 97.97 yen as of 9:49 a.m. in London and it was 0.1% down at $1.3049 per euro.
Corn futures decreased for the first time in a three-day period after soil moisture necessary for planting was boosted by heavy rains in the Midwest, the main U.S. growing region. Corn for July delivery dropped as much as 0.6% to $6.375 a bushel on the Chicago Board of Trade and it was traded at $6.3825 at 9:49 a.m. Singapore time.
Copper futures traded in London declined below a level of $7,000 for the first time in an 18-month period after data released in Europe and China, the biggest consumers, signaled that demand for the metal is flagging. July Copper futures traded on the London Metal Exchange fell 4% to $6,800 a metric ton, the weakest since October 2011, and they
Gold futures declined on Thursday following a decrease of the metal to the weakest level in two years on April 16 as shoppers in China and India, the world's biggest consumers lined up for the metal this week. Bullion for delivery in April were traded 0.8% lower at $1,365.10 an ounce on Thursday session after it fell to $1,321.95 an
West Texas Intermediate oil swung between gains and losses on Thursday, trading close to a four-month low as demand for fuel in the U.S. shrank and production jumped to the highest level in 20 years. WTI for next month delivery was traded 18 cents higher at $86.86 a barrel on the NYMEX following a drop by $1.07 to $85.61 earlier
Foreign direct investments of China advanced for the second successive month in March suggesting that investors' confidence in the Chinese economy is rising as global financial conditions improve, the Commerce Ministry reported on Thursday. The report showed that inflow of investments rose 5.65% on an annual basis to $12.4 billion in March, while the total number of investments recorded $29.9
Asian shares retreated on Thursday amid a fall of commodities to the weakest level since July 2012, led by zinc and cooper, amid speculation that a global economic recovery may weaken. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index was traded 1.1% lower as of 8:12 a.m. London time as material producers dropped 2.4%, while the S&P GSCI Index tracking 24 commodities fell
European equities were little changed on Thursday after the benchmark index Stoxx Europe 600 recorded the biggest four-day drop since July 2012 as some of the companies showed their results. The Stoxx Europe 600 Index futures decreased less than 0.1% to 283.71 as of 8:21 a.m. London time following a drop by 1.5% yesterday amid falling commodity producers and carmakers.
The British Pound declined on Thursday reaching a one-month low versus the 17-nation bloc currency before the U.K. report showed that retail sales in the country dropped in March by 0.6%. Sterling decreased by 0.1% touching 85.57 pence per euro at 8:38 a.m. in London after falling to the lowest since March 15 at 86.37 yesterday, while it was traded
Japanese exports increased more than preliminary estimated in the month of March and the trade balance gap shrank from the previous period after the country's currency losing streak made the nation's products cheaper in markets abroad. Exports advanced 1.1% on an annual basis compared to a 0.2% originally expected, while the trade shortfall recorded 362.4 billion yen in March down
European equities dropped to the weakest level since the beginning of 2013 pushing the benchmark index Stoxx Europe 600 down for the fourth day, the longest losing streak in a three-month period, mainly due to a fall of automakers and commodity producers. The Stoxx Europe 600 Index was traded lower by 1.5% recording 283.82 at 4:30 p.m. London time.
Emerging-market stocks fell on Wednesday declining to the weakest level in four months mainly due to a drop of energy companies as falling commodity prices pushed down equities from Russian and Brazil. The MSCI Emerging Market Index slipped 0.9% to 1,000.02 as of 11:55 a.m. New York time, while the index has dropped 4.9% this year.