U.K. shares retreated in the first day of trading this year after their best annual advance since 2009 as the manufacturing report is awaited by investors. The FTSE 100 Index fell 0.4% to 6,722.07 as of 9:23 a.m. London time, after rallying 14% in year 2013. The FTSE All-Share Index dropped 0.3%, while Ireland's ISEQ Index added 0.2%.
European shares dropped, after their biggest annual climb since 2009, as Eurozone's manufacturing data were in line with economists' expectations. The Stoxx Europe 600 Index slid 0.3% to 327.36 as of 9:22 a.m. London time, after gaining 0.3%, while the MSCI Asia Pacific excluding Japan Index retreated 0.7% after disappointing Chinese manufacturing data.
The Japanese Yen remained lower after its worst annual retreat since 1979 on speculation that Japan's central bank will continue with its stimulus to support nation's economy. Japan's currency was at 105.28 per Dollar at 12:04 p.m. Singapore time and it declined 18% in year 2013. The Yen was at 144.92 per Euro, after it touched 144.73 at the end
Manufacturing activity in Spain improved modestly in the last month of 2013 after recording a decline in the month before, mainly due to rebounds in production and new business, a report revealed by Markit Economics showed on Thursday. The headline purchasing managers' index gained from November's 48.6 points to 50.8 in the following month.
Employment in the Europe's largest economy recorded the highest level all-time last year, however the increase of employment averaged half of a level seen in 2011 and 2012, a report published by the statistical office Destatis showed on Thursday. The report also showed that German jobless rate dropped to 5.2% in 2013, the lowest level among EMU countries.
Natural gas futures traded in New York advanced on Thursday rebounding from the largest one-day fall in an eight-month period after a cold weather forecast signalled that demand for heating fuels may rise. Natural gas for delivery next month gained 0.5% as of $4.253 a million British thermal units on the NYMEX and traded at $4.238 by 9:44 a.m. Singapore
West Texas Intermediate crude advanced for the first time in a three-day period on Thursday after a report showed that inventories in the U.S., the world's largest consumer, declined last week. WTI for delivery in February gained 52 cents to $98.94 per barrel on the NYMEX and it traded at $98.92 as of 3:54 p.m. in Singapore.
Gold traded higher on the first trading session of this year rallying from the worst year in over thirty years as drop to the lowest level in six months spurred investors' appetite for physical purchases of the precious metal. Bullion for delivery in January gained 1.5% to $1,224.11 as of 3:25 p.m. Singapore time after the prices slid to $1,182.27
Chinese shares slipped on Thursday trading session mainly due to a declined of consumer and energy companies after reports world-wide showed that manufacturing activity in many countries decreased towards the end of last year. The Shanghai Composite Index tumbled 0.3% to 2,109.39 and it dropped 6.8% in 2013, the worst-performing gauge in Asia.
German government bunds declined on Thursday pushing the benchmark 10-year yields towards the highest level in three months before a report showed that manufacturing activity in the Eurozone accelerated for a 6th month in December. Germany's 10-year bunds yielded three basis points higher at 1.96% as of 8:25 a.m. in London and it touched 1.97% the most since September 23.
India's manufacturing activity improved in December recording the second consecutive advance, however the pace of growth was weaker than in the month before, the HSBC Bank and Markit Economics showed in a report on Thursday. According to the report, the country's purchasing managers' index fell from November's 51.3 to 50.7 in the following month.
Factory sector in Ireland advanced in December rising for the seventh successive month led by a sharp gain in new orders, a report published by Investec and Markit Economics revealed on Thursday. According to the report, Irish purchasing managers' index for the sector jumped from November's 52.4 to a level of 53.5 in the following month.
Manufacturing sector activity in Sweden advanced at a notably slowed pace in December compared to a month before mainly due to a significant drop in production, a report revealed by the Swedbank showed on Thursday. The country's purchasing managers' index for the factory sector fell from November's 56 to 52.2 in the last month of 2013.
Manufacturing activity in the world's second largest economy slowed down in the last month of 2013 suggesting that the economic growth in the country eased in the last three months in the past year, a report published by the HSBC and Markit Economics showed on Thursday. The HSBC/Markit manufacturing sector purchasing managers' index slid from November's 50.8 to 50.5 in the
The Spanish economy is set to recover led by a massive job creation this year, according to the country's Minister of Economy Luis de Guindos, however most Spaniards remain skeptical about a real recovery until 2015. A poll revealed by El Mundo newspaper showed on Thursday that 71% of the population expects the end of depression in 2015 as the unemployment if
The U.S. Dollar traded close to the highest level in five years against the Japanese Yen on Thursday session before a government data showed that consumer confidence in the U.S. improved suggesting that the Federal Reserve may trim its monetary easing on the next policy meeting. The Greenback stood at 105.24 yen following a gain to 105.41 yen on Monday,
The majority Asian equities declined in the first session of 2014 after a government report showed that manufacturing activity in the world's second largest economy eased and as investors commodity appetite renewed as the year begun. The MSCI broadest Asia-Pacific gauge outside Japan slipped 0.5%, while the Korean index Kospi fell 1.5%.
European shares increased on Thursday trading session rising towards the strongest level in over five years after recording the largest yearly gain since 2009 before a report showed that manufacturing activity in Germany rose in December. The benchmark Europe Stoxx 600 Index added 0.3% to 329.32 by 8:10 a.m. London time, the most since May 2008.
The European currency declined on Tuesday falling for the first time in a five-day period against the U.S. Dollar on speculation that the euro-area region may expand slower than the world's largest economy. Euro fell 0.3% to $1.3767 as of 7 a.m. in New York following a jump to the highest level in two years at $1.3893 on December 27.
The British Sterling increased on the last trading session of this year rising towards the strongest level in three weeks versus the Euro before a government report showed that home prices in the U.K. jumped this month together with a climb of mortgage approvals in November. The Pound added 0.4% to 83.32 pence a Euro as of 11:13 a.m. in
The Canadian Dollar strengthened on Tuesday rebounding from the lowest level in almost three years amid speculation that the currency dropped too deep after the U.S. Federal Reserve revealed its plan to tighten monetary easing further in January. The so-called Loonie advanced 0.5% to C$1.0648 per U.S. Dollar as of 5 p.m. Toronto time.
Corn declined on the last trading session of this year and was set to record its weakest year since 1960 and the worst yearly performance in a five-year period as global output advanced to record highs. Corn for immediate delivery slipped 39% this year to a level of $4.2325 per bushel as of 2:19 p.m. Singapore time.
Natural gas futures swung between gains and drops on Tuesday trading session and were set to record the largest annual advance in an eight-year period amid speculation that heating fuel demand may be boosted by cold weather at the beginning of 2014. Natural gas for delivery in February traded at $4.415 a million British thermal units on the NYMEX.
The European benchmark Brent crude traded in London climbed on Tuesday increasing the Brent-WTI premium from $11.97 to $12.01 on today's session after the EIA report showed that inventories fell 6.1% by 23.8 million barrels in the last four weeks and refiners' capacity was used on 92.7%. Brent for February delivery jumped 16 cents to $111.37 per barrel on the