WTI traded near one-week high after a second consecutive day of increase. According to the American Petroleum Institute, U.S. crude stockpiles fell for the first time this year. Crude for March settlement was at $97.60 a barrel, after rising 48 cents to $97.51 a day earlier, the highest close since February 1. Brent for March delivery fell 5 cents to
Asian benchmark index traded at the highest level in 18 months as earning from Leighton Holdings Ltd. And Commonwealth Bank of Australia boosted investors' optimism. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index rose less than 0.1% to 133.49 at 3:23 p.m. in Tokyo. Japan's Nikkei 225 Stock Average fell 1%, while Australia's S&P/ASX 200 Index added 0.9%.
The South Korean Won strengthened amid speculation the G20 officials will discuss the Japanese Yen's recent declines, alleviating concerns Korea's policy makers will intervene to weaken the currency in order to support exporters. The Won rose 0.4% to 1,086.35 per U.S. Dollar, with one-month implied volatility falling 30 basis points to 7.85%.
The Australian Dollar advanced versus most major counterparts as consumer confidence rose to the highest level in two years, fanning concerns the RBA will cut its key rate. The Aussie strengthened as much as 0.4% to $1.0343 at 4:52 p.m. in Sydney after trading at $1.0227 yesterday, the weakest level since October 15. The New Zealand Dollar gained 0.2% to
Japan's currency strengthened versus all of the major counterparts ahead of G20 meeting at which the Yen's recent drops are expected to be discussed. The Japanese Yen rose as much as 0.6% to 92.94 per U.S. Dollar as of 2:19 p.m. in Tokyo from a day earlier, when it gained 0.9%. Japan's currency added 0.6% to 124.98 per Euro, following
Consumer price inflation in Switzerland cooled for the third consecutive month, according to official data released on Tuesday by the Swiss Federal Statistical Office. On a yearly basis consumer prices declined as much as 0.3% in January and were lower 0.3% compared to December's figure. CPI came in line with economists' expectations."The franc remains an overvalued currency, and the floor
The MSCI Asia Pacific Index was higher by 0.2% to 132.73 points in the second part of Asian trading session on Tuesday. The index erased last three days of negative performance. Equity markets were positive after comments from the Bank of Japan governor that extra money might be introduced into market this year. That might mean that equity markets will
Switzerland consumer price index lost 0.3% in January comparing with a year ago and following a 0.4% loss in December, as the Federal Statistical Office announced on Tuesday. The actual number was just in line with market estimations. According to the monthly data, the price index was lower for the third consecutive month, as it lost 0.3% in January and
Crude oil futures with March settlement were down by 9 cents to $96.94 on the New York Mercantile Exchange in the end of Asian trading session on Tuesday. The volumes were higher by 15% above the 100-day SMA. Market waits for a report, which will indicate a change of the U.S. crude oil stockpiles and, according to economists, it should increase by
Gold futures for April delivery were lower by 0.4% to $1,643 an ounce on the Comex in New York during Asian trading session on Tuesday. The price slipped to one month low, as North Korea accomplished its third test of nuclear technology. The Korean News Agency announced that an atomic warhead was detonated underground with the yield at 6-7 kilotons, bigger
Corn futures for March settlement were lower by 0.7% to $6.975 per bushel on Asian trading session on Tuesday. Corn price was lower for an eight day and that was the longest downside period since March, 2010. The price slipped due to the U.S. projections that domestic corn output will increase by 35% in the 2013-2014.
The British Pound was 0.2% higher to 85.45 pence per Euro in early London trading session on Tuesday. Market gained ahead a report on the U.K. prices. According to economists, the inflation level in January should stay in the highest level since May, 2012. The Office for National Statistics will announce actual data at 9.30 am London time. Also, will
Rubber futures for July delivery were higher by 0.4% to 331.6 Yen per kilogram or $3,525 per metric ton on the Asian trading session on Tuesday. Rubber increases from one week low as the Japanese Yen was trading at the weakest level in last three years, boosting demand for yen-denoted contracts. The weaker Yen helps Japanese exporters, especially auto industry,
The Stoxx 600 Index was lower by 0.1% to 285.46 points in early London trading session on Tuesday. Today, European equity was little changed, as the index slipped by 0.6% yesterday. Investors preferred to fix a profit, as currently market lacks positive signals and news, which could inflate a new rally. Today, Michelin and Hermes International announced earnings.
The Mexican Peso lost 0.1% to 12.7337 per U.S. Dollar in the afternoon of Mexico trading hours on Monday. That was the lowest closing point since January 28, 2013. The Peso slipped after a report, which identified that the Latin American industrial output unexpectedly shrunk for the first time in last three years.
The Thailand's Bath depreciated by 0.2% to 29.89 per U.S. Dollar in early Bangkok trading session on Tuesday. That was the sharpest decline since January 31, 2013. Investors are concerned about the central bank decision to cut the key interest rate, as it would notably change demand for the domestic assets. According to analysts, the central bank will cut the rate in
The Australian Dollar, also called Aussie, depreciated to $1.0241 level on Sydney trading hours on Tuesday. Today, the Aussie followed yesterday's loss of 0.6%, the lowest point since October 23, 2012. Currency traders speculate on the Reserve Bank of Australia decision to cut benchmark rates, as this will sharply affect demand for the domestic assets. According to survey, economists expect the
The Japanese Yen rose 0.3% to 94.06 per U.S. Dollar in the second part of Asian trading session on Tuesday. The Japanese currency appreciated after a 1.8% fall yesterday, as reached the weakest point since May 2010. Today, the Yen shows bullish sentiments, as technical measurements signaled about too rapid depreciation ahead Group of 20 meeting.
German equities dropped as Eurozone finance ministers discussed a bailout for Cyprus. The DAX index declined 0.2% to close at 7,635.10. Five out of nine groups in the index declined. Bayerische Motoren Werke AG paired biggest losses among all blue chip companies as it slid 2% to 72.10 euros to drag down consumer goods that lost 1.2%, the most in
The U.S. equities posted gains for a sixth consecutive week on Friday on better-than-expected corporate profits after European leaders reached a budget deal. The S&P 500 index increased 0.3% for the week to close at 1,517.93. All but one group in the equity gauge edged higher. Microchip Technology, the leading provider of microcontrollers, posted biggest gains in the gauge
U.K. stocks edged lower prior to the Eurozone's prime ministers' meeting to discuss a bailout for Cyprus. The FTSE 100 tumbled 0.1%, or 3.56 points, to 6,260.36 by 3:52 p.m. in London. Seven out of ten groups inched higher with health care shares rallying the most by 0.6%. Eurasian Natural Resources posted biggest gains in the gauge as it rallied
U.S. stock futures rose, showing that the Standard & Poor's 500 Index would reach the highest in five years after finance ministers of Euro-area prepared to gather and examine aid to Greece and Cyprus. Contracts on the S&P 500 gained 0.2% to 1,515.4 and reached its strongest point since November 2007, while Dow Jones Industrial Average contracts appreciated 0.2%, to
The Japanese currency plunged versus the greenback after Japanese officials consolidated their commitment to schemes that may debase the currency. The Yen slid 0.6% to 93.22 per greenback and declined 0.8% to 124.82 per Euro, while the 17-nation currency strengthened 0.2% to $1.3388 after plunging to $1.3325, the weakest since January.
Governing Board member of Swiss National Bank Fritz Zurbruegg indicated that the Franc is too strong and uncertainty concerning Europe still makes the SNB currency cap necessary. Although the currency dropped 1.6% versus the shared currency this year, it's still 11% stronger than the average of five years and 27% higher than on October 2007 (1.6828). The Franc slid 0.3%