Unemployment rate in the United Kingdom rose unexpectedly in the last quarter of the year 2013, reaching 7.2% versus 7.1% in September-November. Analysts expected no changes in the indicator. Meanwhile, the total number of claims for unemployment benefits dropped 27,600 in January, which was much more than analysts predicted at 18,300 after a 24,000 decrease in December.
Wages in Australia registered a 0.7% increase in the last quarter of 2013 on a quarterly basis, beating economists' forecasts at 0.6%. In Q3, wages rose 0.5%. Year-on-year, salaries surged 2.6% in October-December quarter. At the same time, the pace of increase reached the lowest in 17 years. The highest wages' advance of 3.3% was noticed in gas, electricity, waste
Japanese all industry activity decreased surprisingly in December of the previous year, losing 0.1% on a monthly basis after a 0.4% rise in November. Meanwhile, the indicator declines already for the second time in three months. Construction activity dropped 0.7% and service sector slipped 0.4%. At the same time, manufacturing advanced 1%, while government services jumped 0.5%.
Emerging markets shares retreated on Tuesday trading session after the People's Bank of China revealed its decision to drain funds from region's banking system and as Turkey's equities lost before the local central bank revealed rate decision. The MSCI Emerging Markets Index fell 0.2% to 962.26 by 10:34 a.m. London time after rising in the previous two sessions.
The British Sterling weakened on Tuesday falling from the strongest level in a four-year period against its U.S. counterpart after a government report showed that inflation in the United Kingdom eased below the BoE target. The Pound lost as much as 0.3% to $1.662 as of 10:05 a.m. in London following a climb to $1.6823 recorded yesterday.
Gold traded in London declined on Tuesday trading session falling from the strongest level in over three months amid speculation that recent gain of the precious metal may reduce physical purchases of the bullion. Gold for settlement in February slipped 0.7% to $1,319.42 an ounce as of 9:10 a.m. London time after it recorded the largest level since October 31
Wall Street shares were little changed earlier on Tuesday session with the benchmark stock index Standard & Poor's 500 capping its biggest weekly gain this year before a report showed that manufacturing in the New York area rose. S&P 500 futures with March settlement fell 0.1% to 1,833.3 as of 10:44 a.m. London time, while the Dow Jones industrial average
German shares fluctuated on Tuesday trading session as the country's automakers declined at least 1% and after a government report showed that investor sentiment in the nation fell more than economists preliminary estimated. The benchmark stock index DAX tumbled 0.1% to 9,648.51 as of 11:57 a.m. Frankfurt time reducing this year's gain of 1%.
The majority of European shares declined on Tuesday trading session falling for the first time in a three-day period after a government report showed that investors' confidence in the country dropped more than economists originally expected. The benchmark index Stoxx Europe 600 tumbled 0.5% by 6 a.m. New York time.
Inflation measured as consumer price index in Sweden surprisingly declined on an annual basis in January following a modest increased in the month before, the latest data revealed by the Statistics Sweden showed on Tuesday. According to the report, Swedish consumer price index slipped 0.2% in January following a December's gain of 0.1%.
Employment in the Europe's largest economy advanced significantly in the last quarter of 2013 reaching the highest level all-time, a report published by the Federal Statistical Office showed on Tuesday. According to the report, German employment gained by 243,000 on an annual basis in the Q4 totalling 42.2 million, the most since the figure is tracked.
Merchandise trade balance in Norway increased in the first month of 2014 recording the highest trade surplus all-time in a month, the latest data published by the Statistics Norway showed on Tuesday. According to the report, the country's merchandise trade surplus totaled 48.79 billion NOK in January from 34.40 billion NOK in January 2013.
House prices in the United Kingdom advanced in the last month of 2013 with the pace of growth missing economists' projections but being faster than in November, a report revealed by the Office for National Statistics showed on Tuesday. U.K.'s residential property prices gained 5.5% on an annual basis in December after rising by 5.4% in November.
Jobless rate in city state Hong Kong slipped marginally in the three months to January, the latest data unveiled by the Census and Statistics Department revealed on Tuesday. According to the data, the nation's unemployment rate decreased 3.1% in the period from November to January, while in October-December quarter it recorded drop of 3.2%.
Factory gate inflation in the United Kingdom weakened at the beginning of 2014, however the pace of drop was lower than economists originally expected, a report published by the Office for National Statistics revealed on Tuesday. According to the report, the U.K. output inflation added 0.9% in January following a December's advance by 1%.
The Australian currency weakened on Tuesday trading session falling from the highest level in four weeks against its U.S. counterpart after the People's Bank of China signaled it may apply tighten monetary policy in order to control the economic slowdown of local economy. The so-called Aussie fell to $0.9030, down from one month high at $0.9079.
The Japanese currency declined on Tuesday session falling towards the lowest level in almost three weeks versus the U.S. Dollar and the 18-nation bloc currency after the Bank of Japan maintain the current level of monetary easing and extended its lending program supporting the economy. The Yen slipped to 102.55 per U.S. Dollar and was last seen at 140.64 a
Global shares increased on Tuesday trading session mainly due to a notable advance by Japanese equities after the country's national bank added more stimulus in order to support the local economy weakening the Yen. The MSCI World Equity Index gained 0.2% and was last traded 0.4% of its highest level this year.
Investor confidence in the largest economy of the Eurozone plunged unexpectedly for the second consecutive month in February, pointing on weak recovery in the whole region, which negatively influences German economy as well. The appropriate index from ZEW Center in Mannheim dropped to 55.7 points, down from 61.7 points in January. Experts awaited it to fall slightly to 61.5 points.
Positive trade balance of Italy surprisingly climbed in December of the previous year, as exports surged much more than imports. The overall surplus reached as much has 3.6 billion euro, up from 2.3 billion euro in December 2012. Exports added 4.9% on the annual basis and 5.1% month-on-month. Imports, in turn, rose only 0.6% year-on-year, comparing with a 3.6% increase
The consumer price index in the United Kingdom dropped unexpectedly in the first month of this year, reaching 1.9% on the annual basis from 2% a month ago. Economists, however, predicted no changes in the CPI Index. On a monthly basis, prices decreased 0.6%. The biggest decline was registered in prices of alcohol, DVD's, entry fees in museums and household
Current account surplus of the Eurozone plummeted in January of this year, but the value was better than analysts predicted it to reach before. The European Central Bank data showed a surplus decline to 21.3 billion euro, down from a revised 23.3 billion euro positive balance in December. Economists, in turn, expected the current account surplus to drop to 21
Total foreign direct investment into Chinese economy jumped 16.1% in January of the current year from a year ago, reaching the highest pace of rise since October 2011, confirming that country's economy is still very strong. Investment amount increased to $10.76 billion, however, more than 50% of it went into the service industry, while investment into manufacturing dropped 21.7%.
Car sales in Europe increased for a fifth month in row in January of this year, as economic recovery continues in the region, pushing demand for long-term goods up. Total registrations inched up 5.2% on the annual basis to 967,800 units. In December, sales added 13%. Volkswagen sales surged 8.2%, while Renault deliveries climbed 13%. Peugeot followed with a 6.9%