Precious metals were mixed on Thursday as US jobless claims increased more-than-expected last week, dampening talks that the Fed may halt its bond purchases sooner than planned. However, uncertainty over the Fed's policy move persisted after the data showed that the US core inflation rate climbed more-than-expected last month. Gold swung to gains on hopes that the Fed will stick to
Most Japanese blue chips advanced, sending higher the Nikkei 225 Stock Average, as domestically-oriented shares rallied. The Nikkei 225 Index soared 0.7%, or 11,385.94 by the closing time in Tokyo, climbing nearly 2% on the week. Seven out of ten groups in the benchmark gauge posted gains. COMSYS Holdings Corporation rose 4.8%, the most in the index, to close at
The Wall Street closed in red yesterday amid escalated worries that the Fed is considering stopping its bond-buying program sooner-than-expected. The Dow Jones Industrial Average skidded as much as 0.3%, or 46.92 points, to close at 13,880.62 on Thursday. All groups within the benchmark gauge declined. Technology shares edged lower, posting a 0.6% decrease. However, further losses were halted by
Germany`s economic slowdown in the Q4 was caused by a decrease in exports and investment as the Euro bloc`s demand was impaired by sovereign debt crisis. Exports decreased 2% in comparison to the Q3; meanwhile, investment contracted 0.7%. According to reports released in Feb. 14 2013, GDP fell 0.6%, however, economy confronted a 0.4% increase after adjustment of the working
U.S. equities slid on Thursday on growing concerns that the Fed might reduce its growth-boosting activities. In addition, investors were disappointed by the lower-than-expected data on corporate profits. All but one group in the benchmark index edged lower. Lyondellbasell Industries N.V., an independent chemical company, paired biggest loss in the gauge to drag down basic materials that were 1.1% lower.
Farm commodities apart from coffee dived on Thursday amid weak demand for risky assets after dismal numbers from the US and Eurozone. Moreover, solid greenback and improving weather conditions in the US Great Plains pushed rural commodities lower. Wheat traded lower, approaching the lowest level in eight months as heavy snowfalls in Kansas improved prospects for drought-stricken crops. Capping losses,
Energy futures were bearish on Thursday after a release of the EIA weekly supply report. Weak data from the Eurozone and US also dragged the commodity group lower. However, losses were capped by easing worries that the Fed will end its bond purchases as dismal US data signaled the economic recovery is fragile. Crude oil plunged after the EIA report showed
Base metals finished in the red territory on Thursday despite easing worries that the Fed may end its bond-buying program sooner-than-expected. Negative headlines from the Eurozone and US also weighed. Eurozone's flash PMI and Philly Fed Manufacturing Index missed forecasts in February. Aluminum retreated, tracking appreciation in the US Dollar and dismal data from the Eurozone and US. Higher stocks at
Asian stocks removed earlier losses on speculation the regional benchmark index decline was excessive as exporters from Japan pared losses after the Yen dropped. Meanwhile Australian equities advanced and recovered from a nine- months drop. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index slid 1.3% to 133.50, Australia's S&P/ASX 200 Index soared 0.9%, New Zealand's NZX 50 Index advanced 1.1%, South Korea's Kospi
German stocks are trading in red on Thursday amid weak national data and concerns that the Fed may stop its bond-buying activities soon. German flash manufacturing PMI rose to 50.1 from 49.8 this month, missing estimates of 50.4. Moreover, German flash services PMI dropped to 54.1 in February from 55.7 in January. The DAX Index declined 1.76% and is currently
The shared currency surged below $1.32 for the first time in six weeks after an industry report indicated services and manufacturing in Europe shrank faster in February than economists' predictions. The Euro slid 0.7% to $1.3190 and plummeted 1.2% to 122.81 Yen, while the latter gained 0.5% to 93.11 per greenback.
Asian currencies plummeted this week, starting with South Korea's Won and Malaysia's Ringgit, amid speculation the Federal Reserve of Australia would not extend stimulus measures and central banks of region would intervene to control appreciation. The Ringgit fell 0.8% to 3.1020 per greenback, the Won slid 0.7% to 1,086, the Indonesia's Rupiah dropped 0.4% to 9,708 and Indian Rupee depreciated
India's Rupee was set for third weekly drop amid concern U.S. lawmakers would slow debt purchases, which conduced to inflows to emerging markets and increased the supply of Dollars. The currency slid 0.4% to 54.4425 per greenback in Mumbai, the lowest in one month, after results from the Fed's last meeting indicated several officials favour varying the pace of purchasing
The Lonnie fell for a fifth day versus the greenback after the nation's largest export, crude oil, fell on ebbing risk appetite. The Canadian Dollar slid 0.2% to C$1.0185 per U.S. Dollar, after touching C$1.0208, the lowest since July. Presently one Lonnie buys 98.18 U.S. cents. Meanwhile the S&P 500 Index depreciated 0.6%, and the MSCI World (MXWO) Index plunged
The Aussie rallied as Governor of Reserve Bank Glenn Stevens indicated that the bar has increased for currency intervention and approved the present amount of borrowing costs. The currency increased 0.7% to $1.0314, whereas the so-called Kiwi gained 0.4% to 83.76 U.S. cents as a report depicted credit card spending soared for a third-straight month in January.
The Yen debased versus all its major counterparts, while the Aussie surged as the Reserve Bank of Australia signaled that the bar is up for currency intervention and after Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe met the U.S. President Barack Obama. The Japanese currency slid 0.2% to 93.32 per greenback, and dropped 0.4% to 123.29 versus the shared currency. The
According to the Labor Department in Washington, U.S jobless benefits increased to 362,000, for the first time during three weeks. Companies are not decreasing their staffing level despite the fear that climbing prices on gasoline and tax increase will slow down consumer expenditures. However, stock-index futures dropped after the report as the Standard & Poor's 500 Index slid 0.2% to
UK shares dropped on Thursday amid weak risk appetite after the FOMC meeting minutes showed that the Fed may end its bond-purchases. Capping losses of the UK blue chips, UK public sector net borrowing posted a deficit of GBP9.9 billion last month, compared to forecasts of a GBP11.2 million deficit. The FTSE 100 Index plunged 1.75% to trade at 6,284.01.
Hong Kong stocks gave back Tuesday's gains amid lingering concerns that the Fed may halt its easing measures sooner-than-expected. Moreover, worries over expansion of housing curbs weighed on Hong Kong stock markets. On Wednesday, China's cabinet stated it is considering expansion of its pilot real estate tax program to more cities and. The Hang Seng Index declined 1.72% to close
Japanese shares were bearish on Thursday amid escalated worries that the Fed is considering stopping its bond-buying program sooner-than-expected. Weak performance of US stock markets also put heavy selling pressure on Japanese equities. The Nikkei 225 Index plunged 1.39% to close at 11,309.13. All industries finished in the negative area. On the upside, GS Yuasa Corp surged 7.98%, the biggest
US blue chips finished lower on Wednesday amid concerns that the Fed may end its bond-buying program. Meanwhile, market participants remained cautious ahead of the key US figures due on Thursday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index slid 0.77% to end the session at 13,927.54. All but one industry plunged. The only gainers were telecommunication companies, with Verizon Communications jumping
The Wall Street closed in red after a release of the FOMC meeting minutes that showed the Fed may ease or even halt its growth-boosting activities earlier than planned. Furthermore, weaker-than-expected data from the US real estate market put pressure on US equities. The S&P 500 dropped 1.24% to close at 1,511.95. All industries included in the index slid. Meanwhile,
Asian shares plummeted on concern the Fed may refrain from its monetary stimulus. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index declined 1.5% to 133.21 at 3:21 p.m. in Tokyo. Japan's Nikkei 225 Stock Average lost 1.4%, South Korea's Kospi Index fell 0.5% after climbing yesterday the most since September. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 Index declined 2.3% and Hong Kong' Hang Seng Index slid
The South Korean Won halted its two-day rally amid speculation the Fed may opt out expanding monetary easing to prop up economic growth in the U.S, Korea's second-biggest export partner. The currency fell 0.5% to 1,083.80 per greenback at 10:38 a.m. in Seoul, with one-month volatility climbing 7 basis points to 6.82%.