European equities fell on Thursday, pressed by weaker PMI readings both from China and Euro Area, boosting concerns about further recovery of region. Stoxx Europe 600 gave up 1.2%, FTSE 100 index slipped 0.8% and German DAX lost 1.3%. French CAC 40 index tumbled 1.6% and Italian FTSE MIB index shed 1.7%.
The India's central bank is moving closer to easing its prudent monetary policy; however, the time for loosing is dependent on the economic situation in the country, said the deputy governor of India's central bank. At the same time, soaring energy prices, weak rupee and fiscal deficit continued to create inflationary pressure on the country thus putting the government off
The number of manufacturing orders in Euro Area dropped more than expected in January as companies struggled to overcome region's crisis amid cooling Chinese economy. Production orders in Euro countries shed 2.3% in the first month of 2012. Analysts questioned by Reuters predicted a 2.1% decline.
Canada's retail sales climbed at slower pace than analysts expected in January as a surge in new vehicle sales was offset by a drop in electronic and home-improvement goods' sales. Retail sales added 0.5% compared to forecast advance of 1.8%, Statistic Canada reported on Thursday. Loonie weakened 0.7% against greenback on the news.
Gold prices decreased during the Asian session on Friday amid stronger US Dollar. The US Dollar index, which measures its performance against set of six main currencies, added 0.02% to USD79.97. COMEX gold April contract traded at 1643.25 US Dollars per troy ounce on the New York Mercantile Exchange, easing down by 0.05%.
The number of applications for jobless benefits reached the lowest reading since 2006, Labor Department said on Thursday. The unemployment claims fell by 5000 to 348 000 last week. Economists earlier predicted jobless claims to stay at previous level at 353 000. Another report said the measure of leading indicators climbed in February, attaining 11 month record high.
Canadian core retail sales that excludes automobile sales tumbled in January after gaining for seven consecutive months, reported Statistics Canada. The core retail sales decreased by 0.5% in January on a seasonally adjusted basis while experts predicted the sales to climb by 0.5%. The major contributors to the decline were garden equipment and building materials.
The GDP of the Republic of Ireland slumped by 0.2% in the last quarter of 2011, after declining by 1.1% in the preceding quarter, according to Central Statistics Office. The economic contraction indicates that the country is falling back into crisis. Global financial uncertainty continued to weight down on the Ireland's exports that declined by 1.1% whereas domestic spending continued
Mario Draghi announced that the European economy has started to stabilize and the worst stage is over. He also claimed that some economic indicators as budget balance and inflation are better than those of the US. The ECB President reassured that there would not be more severe crisis because of intensive lending to the European banks at low interest rates.
Rural commodities apart from coffee declined on Wednesday amid stronger US Dollar and deteriorating situation in China. Grains also came under pressure because of favorable weather conditions in the US that may provoke earlier harvest. Moreover, more pessimistic outlook on China's economy is likely to weight down on the China's grain imports. Meanwhile, sugar continued to be exposed to the
Energy prices moved higher despite strong US Dollar and ongoing China's growth concerns after pessimistic PMI data. Crude and Brent oil were strongly supported by unexpected fall in the US oil inventories last week. Meanwhile, traders continued to eye development across Iranian oil embargo. Currently, the geopolitical tensions eased as Saudi Arabia announced it is ready to increase its output
Industry metals except for copper tumbled on Wednesday on the firmer Dollar and weak equities. China's PMI data that indicated contraction weighted down on the metals and is likely to stay the main correction factor for the base metals price. Weaker than expected US housing market data also added to the negative mood of the commodity pack. At the same
Precious metals fell on Wednesday amid stronger US Dollar and steady equities. Stabilization of the US and EU economies also continued to damped the safe-haven appeal of the metals pack. Moreover, lack of interest in precious metals purchases from large gold and silver-backed funds blocked any upside move. The yellow metal was only marginally lower as it managed to find
Rural commodities apart from coffee declined on Wednesday amid stronger US Dollar and deteriorating situation in China. Grains also came under pressure because of favorable weather conditions in the US that may provoke earlier harvest. Moreover, more pessimistic outlook on China's economy is likely to weight down on the China's grain imports. Meanwhile, sugar continued to be exposed to the
Precious metals fell on Wednesday amid stronger US Dollar and steady equities. Stabilization of the US and EU economies also continued to damped the safe-haven appeal of the metals pack. Moreover, lack of interest in precious metals purchases from large gold and silver-backed funds blocked any upside move. The yellow metal was only marginally lower as it managed to find
Energy prices moved higher despite strong US Dollar and ongoing China's growth concerns after pessimistic PMI data. Crude and Brent oil were strongly supported by unexpected fall in the US oil inventories last week. Meanwhile, traders continued to eye development across Iranian oil embargo. Currently, the geopolitical tensions eased as Saudi Arabia announced it is ready to increase its output
Industry metals except for copper tumbled on Wednesday on the firmer Dollar and weak equities. China's PMI data that indicated contraction weighted down on the metals and is likely to stay the main correction factor for the base metals price. Weaker than expected US housing market data also added to the negative mood of the commodity pack. At the same
German DAX index tumbled on Thursday as weaker than expected manufacturing activity in March both in China and Euro Area boosted worries, the global economy may fall back into recession. All nine sectors within the index posted losses led by car makers and financials. Deutsche Bank AG lost 2% and Commerzbank AG fell 2.7%. Volkswagen AG declined 1% and BMW
British FTSE 100 fell on Thursday pushed down by Randgold Resources on news suspected military stunt in the African country of Mali, the third biggest gold provider. Randgold plunged 12% on the announcement. Other miners also tumbled on weaker Chinese PMI data. Fresnillo lost 5.8%, Kazakhmys slipped 2% and Vedanta Resources declined 4%. UK banks fell on disappointing Euro Area
Euro Area region faced a faster contraction in private sector activity in March, highlighting worries the area may fall back into downturn. Composite PMI dropped from 49.3 in previous month to 48.7 in March reaching three month record low. Economists questioned by Marketwatch predicted the composite PMI to climb to 49.6. Service PMI fell from 48.8 to 48.7 and manufacturing
UK retail sales declined more than analysts predicted in previous month as households curbed spending. Retail sales including gasoline decreased 0.8% compared to expected 0.5% drop. Meanwhile the sales advance in January was reviewed up from 0.3% to 0.9%. Previous months were pretty strong in terms of sales growth, therefore current fall is acceptable, said Samuel Tombs, Capital Economic economist.
Japan's Nikkei Stock Average retreated from yesterday's loss and climbed on Thursday lifted by data which showed unexpected trade surplus in February. Nikkei 225 index gained 0.4% or 40.59 points and finished at 10,127.08. Nevertheless gains were limited as better trade surplus strengthened Yen, harming exporter shares. The main gainers were Oki Electric and Softbank which added 3.9% and 3.4%
Hong Kong's Hang Seng index traded lower during most of Thursday's session but retreated shortly before close and managed to finish in positive area. The index added 0.22% or 44.93 points and settled at 20,901.56. Although PBOC announced Agricultural Bank of China will cut reserve ratio requirement to boost lending in rural areas, stock gains were limited by HSBC PMI
Dow Jones Industrial Average index prolonged its downward movement on Wednesday after Fed's Chairman Ben Bernake warned the crisis has not finished yet in Europe and the region has to put much effort to completely resolve it. Blue chip index fell 0.35% or 45.57 points and closed at 13,124.62. Hewlett-Packard pushed the Dow into red, tumbling 2.2% after company said