Industrial profits in the world's second largest economy advanced in the January-April period, according to a report released by the National Bureau of Statistics showed on Wednesday, as utilities added 27.2% on an annual basis and mining industry dropped 16%. The report also showed that the country's industrial profits grew 10.0% totaling 1.762 trillion yuan.
A leading economic indicator in Australia eased slightly in the months of April after it was flat in March, the latest survey released by the Westpac Bank showed on Wednesday. According to the survey, the country's leading economic index dropped by 0.5% recording 98.0 points in April after it was seen at 98.38 in March.
Construction work in Australia grew in the quarter first of this year, the latest report revealed by the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed on Wednesday. According to the report, the country's total value of completed construction work rose by 0.3% on a sequential basis in the Q1 totalling A$53.621 billion, while it was forecast to drop on the quarter.
Business sentiment in New Zealand weakened in May, however the indicator measuring outlook for general business conditions stayed in positive figures on the month, a report published by the ANZ Bank unveiled on Wednesday. According to the report, the country's business confidence index fell by 11 points in May to 53.5.
Housing affordability in Australia increased in the first three months of this year as the country's central bank lowered interest rates which pushed the affordability higher, a data revealed by the Housing Industry Association showed on Wednesday. According to the report, the country's housing affordability index grew from 75.6 in the Q4 to 77.2 in the Q1 of 2014.
Consumer sentiment in the world's largest economy advanced in May rising in line with economists' predictions, the latest report revealed by the Conference Board showed on Tuesday. According to the report, the U.S. consumer confidence index jumped from April's level of 81.7 points to a level of 83.0 points in May.
The New Zealand's currency declined on Wednesday trading session easing from yesterday's level after a private report showed that the country's business confidence dropped to the lowest level in a seven-month period. The so-called Kiwi fell 0.2% to $0.8545, however technical analysts see the currency on the market's support level.
The European currency slightly advanced on Wednesday trading session recovering from the weakest level in three months recorded yesterday after the European Central Bank President Mario Draghi showed discomfort with the weak level of inflation and signaled policy action on the next meeting. The Euro added to $1.3636, up from 3-month low of $1.3612 hit on Tuesday.
The U.S. currency traded steady earlier on Wednesday trading session and fluctuated near the highest level in eight weeks versus its most-traded peers after it strengthened yesterday on favourbale economic data. The U.S. Dollar index was last seen at 80.340 following an increase to 80.470, the strongest level since April.
Japanese equities advanced on Wednesday rising for the fifth successive session as Mitsui Fudosan Co led gains gaining by 4.7% and as U.S. data raised risk appetite of investors. The benchmark stock index Nikkei 225 average added as much as 0.2% to 14,670.95, while the Topix surged 0.3% to 1,198.17 and the JPX-Nikkei Index 400 jumped 0.2% to 10,926.66.
U.S. shares advanced on Tuesday with the benchmark index Standard & Poor's 500 closing at its new record high after a government report showed that consumer confidence in the country increased and as the Fed officials committed to support the local economy. The S&P 500 added as much as 0.6% to 1,911.91 and the Dow Jones industrial average gained 0.42%.
Asian equities increased on Wednesday trading session with the benchmark stock index reaching the highest level in one year as risk appetite of investors rose after the U.S. stock index Standard & Poor's 500 reached another record high on favourable data. The MSCI Asia-Pacific gauge outside Japan added 0.6% to 490.15, the most in a year.
Corn declined on Tuesday falling towards the lowest level in nearly two months amid speculation that planting was accelerated by farmers as warm and dry weather hit the U.S., the world's largest exporter of the commodity. Corn for delivery in July lost 1.5% to $4.7075 per bushel on the CBOT and was last seen at $4.7125 by 2:23 p.m. Singapore
The European benchmark Brent crude advanced on Tuesday session rebounding from the weakest level in a four-day period on speculation that tension between Ukraine and the Russian Federation may threaten supplies to Europe. Brent for delivery in July jumped 48 cents to a level of $110.80 per barrel on the London's ICE Futures Europe exchange.
Gold futures slipped on Tuesday trading session falling towards the weakest level nearly in a week as traders speculate whether the recent result of Ukraine's presidential election may ease tension with the Russian Federation. Bullion for settlement in May dropped 0.6% to $1,285.50 an ounce, the least since May 21, and it was last seen at $1,286.94 by 2:24 p.m.
The majority of European shares fluctuated on Tuesday trading session after the benchmark stocks index jumped to the highest level in six years before a report showed that consumer sentiment in the U.S. improved and durable-goods orders dropped. The Stoxx Europe 600 gauge climbed as much as 0.1% to 344.11 by 8:07 a.m. London time.
Service sector sentiment in the United Kingdom improved in the first three months of this year rising at the fastest rate since the beginning of records in 1998, the latest survey published by the Confederation f British Industry unveiled on Tuesday. However, the survey also showed that companies are struggling to hire skilled stuff.
Confidence among consumers in Finland advanced notably in May after recording a notable drop in the previous month, the latest survey published by the Statistics Finland unveiled on Tuesday. According to the report, the country's consumer confidence index jumped from 3.7 in April to 8.7 points posted in May, while in March it rose to 8.5 points.
Trade balance in Switzerland came in a surplus in April with the result exceeded economists' expectations as imports dropped and exports advanced from March, a report published by the Swiss federal Customs Administration unveiled on Tuesday. According to the report, the country's trade surplus increased from CHF 1.99 billion to CHF 2.43 billion in April.
Confidence among French households stayed unchanged in the month of April matching economists' expectations, the latest report published by the statistical office INSEE showed on Tuesday. According to the report, the France's confidence index recorded 85 points in May, while the index measuring households' opinion over their financial situation gained by 5 points to a level of -23 in April.
Consumer sentiment in South Korea dropped on a sequential basis in May, the latest report unveiled by the Bank of Korea showed on Tuesday. According to the report, the country's consumer sentiment index slipped from 108 points recorded in April to a level of 105 in the following month, while the current living standards index fell by 2 points to
Japan's corporate service prices increased on an annual basis in April as prices for leasing, transportation, communication, motor vehicle and engineering repair advanced on the month, the latest data published by the Bank of Japan showed on Tuesday. The country's corporate service prices added 3.4% in April after gaining 0.7% in March.
Business confidence in Japan slightly increased in the month of May following a month of notable decline, however the manufacturing sector sentiment slipped in May, a report released by the Shoko Chukin Bank showed on Tuesday. The country's sentiment among small and medium size businesses gained from 45.4 points in April to 46.6 in the following month.
Japanese stocks increased on Tuesday after the region's benchmark stock index Nikkei 225 average recorded the strongest level in four weeks on Monday extending its streak of gain to three days as U.S. housing data lifted Wall Street shares. The Nikkei 225 added as much as 0.7% to 14,559.43 following an advanced to 14,592.60, the most since April 22.