U.K. trade balance deficit shrank in June after trade data showed that overseas sales increased by 4.9%, making it the best quarterly export performance. The trade deficit dropped to 8.1 billion Sterling compared to 8.7 billion in May, making it the lowest reading in a year, according to Office for National Statistics. The exports rose approximately 5% to 78.4 billion
The U.S. Dollar headed towards a weekly fall versus all its major peers after data showed that China's, Europe's and U.K's economies are strengthening, curbing demand for the greenback. The U.S. currency remained steady at 96.63 versus the Yen, headed towards a weekly drop of 2.3%. The 17-nation currency was flat at $1.3381.
The Sterling strengthened versus the U.S. Dollar, as the Federal Reserve does not provide signs on when it may begin to taper bond purchases, and after the release of trade balance report for June. The Britain's currency advanced 0.12% to $1.5556 versus the greenback and increased 0.09% to 0.8604 against the Euro, and gained 0.10% to 150.36 against the Japanese
U.K. shares increased for the second day, with the FTSE 100 Index paring the largest weekly fall since June, following data that indicated Chinese industrial production advanced more-than-expected in July. The FTSE 100 added 10.37 point to 6,540.05, while the FTSE All-Share Index inched up 0.2% and Ireland's ISEQ Index rallied 0.4%.
Asian benchmark shares index is set to halt its longest one-week streak of gains since January as Nikon Corp. profit forecast was lowered. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index slipped 0.1% to 133.58 at 2:23 p.m. Hong Kong time; however, the equity-benchmark is set for a 1.5% fall weekly, snapping one and a half month of gains, making it the longest
German government bunds declined, prolonging a weekly fall, ahead of data that analysts said will indicate industrial output in France increased in June. The 10-yer bond yield jumped two basis points to 1.71% and the 1.5% bond maturing in May 2023 retreated 0.165 to 98.17, adding to signs German bunds contracted 1.4% this year.
European shares rose for a second straight day after Chinese trade data topped the expectations. The Stoxx Europe 600 Index added 0.3% to 304.94 as of 8:08 a.m. London time and it is set for 0.3% advance this week. The gauge has increased 11% since June 24, when it reached the lowest level after ECB and BoE stated that they
The Australian currency jumped against the greenback as better-than-forecast China's industrial output helped the Australian Dollar to stay above $0.91. The Australian Dollar advanced 0.45% to $0.9143 versus the U.S. Dollar and rose 0.53% to A$1.4626 against the Euro. Chinese industrial output grew 9.7% in July from a year ago, overshooting analysts expectations of 8.9% jump.
The Canadian Dollar appreciated to the highest level in approximately a month after China's and Germany's trade data topped the estimates, spurring bets that demand for Canada's commodities will rise. The Loonie gained 0.9% to C$1.0328 per U.S. Dollar as of 5 p.m. Toronto time, after it climbed 1.1% to C$1.0304 earlier, the highest level in a week.
The British currency was little changed versus the greenback and the shared currency, headed for gains this week against both peers, ahead of U.K. construction data that are expected to show a decline. The Sterling was at $1.5552 by 7:49 a.m. in London after appreciating to $1.5574 on Thursday, the strongest level in almost two months, while it traded at
Gold futures rebounded reacting to the greenback's depreciation and the U.S. jobless claims data. Investors are still waiting for any signals on how long the Fed will maintain the quantitative easing programme. Prices of the yellow metal added 1.47% to $1,304.40 per ounce, while silver advanced 3.06 to $20.105 per ounce.
West Texas Intermediate declined for the fifth consecutive day as better-than-expected U.S. unemployment insurance claims data boosted concern the Federal Reserve will taper monetary stimulus. WTI for September settlement lost 0.8%, or 80 cents, to $103.57 per barrel as of 9:50 a.m. on the New York Mercantile Exchange.
U.S. equity markets were green as trade data from China exceeded forecasts and as investors weighed the U.S. unemployment insurance claims report. The S&P500 index added 0.3% to 1,696.50 as of 9:58 a.m. New York time, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced 0.03% to 15,509.26. The S&P 500 lost 1.1% in the last three days on speculation the Fed
The U.S. currency was trading lower versus the 17-nation currency, after hitting its 7-week low amid global economic optimism. U.S. jobless claims data for the last week was approximately in line with expectations, the number of claims increased to 330,000, while analysts predicted 335,000. The U.S. Dollar lost 0.21% to $1.3362 versus the Euro, after being at $1.34 earlier today.
The British currency touched the highest level in seven weeks versus the U.S. Dollar after the Bank of England Governor Carney repeated officials' 2% inflation goal. The Sterling added 0.1% to $1.5511 as of 10:47 a.m. in London after appreciating to $1.5531 on Wednesday, the strongest level since June 21. The Pound traded at 86.10 pence per Euro after rising
Aussie jumped 0.9% versus the greenback, trading at $0.9079 as of 9:56 a.m. GMT. The currency dropped to the lowest level in three years on Monday, when the Reserve Bank of Australia set the benchmark interest rate to a record low 2.5%, down 25 basis points. The decision came after inflation data showed better-than-expected figures. The Australian Dollar has declined
European equities gained after latest reports showed that Chinese trade balance has contracted in July. The nations exports grew 5.1%, while imports rose by 10.9%. Analysts predicted export growth of 1.5% and an import increase of 1%. The European Euro Stoxx 50 added 0.4% to 2,805.69. Germany's DAX traded 0.35% higher to 8,289.51.
The Greek jobless rate advanced to another record high level of 27.6% in May, after reaching 27% in April, damping analysts expectations of 26.9%. In the previous year the Greek jobless rate was at 26.1%, and in 2011 the measure was at 21.3%. Greek economic production declined 5.6% in the first quarter on a yearly basis.
Shares in Switzerland dropped for a second day in a row, making it the first back-to-back retreat monthly, as Nestle SA dropped after disappointing sales data. The Swiss Market Index slid 0.6% to 7,927.5 as of 9:36 a.m. Zurich time; however, the gauge has advanced 2.1% previous week, while the Swiss Performance Index decreased 0.5% today.
European shares advanced, fueled by positive Chinese trade report and strong earnings data from some of the European companies. The Stoxx Europe 600 index added 0.1% to 303.01. The Commerzbank AG index increased the most by 9.2%, following upbeat second-quarter earnings data. Aviva PLC shares also jumped 6% and Novo Nordisk AS inched up 1.7%.
U.K. shares gained, bouncing off their biggest retreat in almost two months, as mining companies advanced after Chinese trade topped the forecasts. The FTSE 100 added 0.2% to 6,523.39 as of 9:10 a.m. London time and the gauge has increased 8.2% since June 24. The FTSE All-Shares Index rose 0.2% as well, while Ireland's ISEQ slipped 0.1% today.
Asian shares outside Japan advanced after China's exports increased more than expected, while Japanese stocks declined as the nation's currency appreciated. The MSCI Asia Pacific excluding Japan Index added 0.8% to 438.29 at 2:41 p.m. Hong Kong time, while The MSCI Asia Pacific Index retreated 7.6% from the highest level in five years on May 20.
The Aussie appreciated to the highest level this month versus the U.S. counterpart after China's imports topped the expectations in July. Australia's Dollar climbed 1% to 90.86 U.S. cents at 4:47 p.m. Sydney time, after reaching 90.89, the strongest level since July 30. The Kiwi added 0.1% to 79.81 U.S. cents, after touching 79.98 on Wednesday.
U.S. shares decreased, with the Standard & Poor's 500 Index falling for the first time for three days in a row since June 12 on bets the Federal Reserve will taper stimulus this year as soon as the economy expands. The S&P 500 dropped 0.4% to 1,690.91 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.3% to 15,470.67.