Copper futures traded in London declined below a level of $7,000 for the first time in an 18-month period after data released in Europe and China, the biggest consumers, signaled that demand for the metal is flagging. July Copper futures traded on the London Metal Exchange fell 4% to $6,800 a metric ton, the weakest since October 2011, and they
Gold futures declined on Thursday following a decrease of the metal to the weakest level in two years on April 16 as shoppers in China and India, the world's biggest consumers lined up for the metal this week. Bullion for delivery in April were traded 0.8% lower at $1,365.10 an ounce on Thursday session after it fell to $1,321.95 an
West Texas Intermediate oil swung between gains and losses on Thursday, trading close to a four-month low as demand for fuel in the U.S. shrank and production jumped to the highest level in 20 years. WTI for next month delivery was traded 18 cents higher at $86.86 a barrel on the NYMEX following a drop by $1.07 to $85.61 earlier
Foreign direct investments of China advanced for the second successive month in March suggesting that investors' confidence in the Chinese economy is rising as global financial conditions improve, the Commerce Ministry reported on Thursday. The report showed that inflow of investments rose 5.65% on an annual basis to $12.4 billion in March, while the total number of investments recorded $29.9
Asian shares retreated on Thursday amid a fall of commodities to the weakest level since July 2012, led by zinc and cooper, amid speculation that a global economic recovery may weaken. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index was traded 1.1% lower as of 8:12 a.m. London time as material producers dropped 2.4%, while the S&P GSCI Index tracking 24 commodities fell
European equities were little changed on Thursday after the benchmark index Stoxx Europe 600 recorded the biggest four-day drop since July 2012 as some of the companies showed their results. The Stoxx Europe 600 Index futures decreased less than 0.1% to 283.71 as of 8:21 a.m. London time following a drop by 1.5% yesterday amid falling commodity producers and carmakers.
The British Pound declined on Thursday reaching a one-month low versus the 17-nation bloc currency before the U.K. report showed that retail sales in the country dropped in March by 0.6%. Sterling decreased by 0.1% touching 85.57 pence per euro at 8:38 a.m. in London after falling to the lowest since March 15 at 86.37 yesterday, while it was traded
Japanese exports increased more than preliminary estimated in the month of March and the trade balance gap shrank from the previous period after the country's currency losing streak made the nation's products cheaper in markets abroad. Exports advanced 1.1% on an annual basis compared to a 0.2% originally expected, while the trade shortfall recorded 362.4 billion yen in March down
European equities dropped to the weakest level since the beginning of 2013 pushing the benchmark index Stoxx Europe 600 down for the fourth day, the longest losing streak in a three-month period, mainly due to a fall of automakers and commodity producers. The Stoxx Europe 600 Index was traded lower by 1.5% recording 283.82 at 4:30 p.m. London time.
Emerging-market stocks fell on Wednesday declining to the weakest level in four months mainly due to a drop of energy companies as falling commodity prices pushed down equities from Russian and Brazil. The MSCI Emerging Market Index slipped 0.9% to 1,000.02 as of 11:55 a.m. New York time, while the index has dropped 4.9% this year.
The U.S. Dollar appreciated on Wednesday rebounding from the weakest level in 7 weeks against the Euro after demand for the currency as haven asset was fuelled by decline of stocks and commodities in global markets. The so-called Greenback increased by 0.4% to $1.3128 per euro earlier on Wednesday New York session following a decline to the lowest since February
The European currency extended its losing streak against the U.S. Dollar and the Japanese Yen after a report released by the Dow Jones said that the Bundesbank President signalled further interest rate cuts by the European Central Bank. Euro dropped 1% to $1.3043 earlier on Wednesday New York session after reaching $1.3202 yesterday, while it slipped 0.8% to 127.46 per
Gold traded in New York declined for the third time in last four sessions on Wednesday after the Cyprus' government decided to sell part of its gold reserves and as the U.S. Dollar increased. Gold for delivery in June decreased by 0.2% to $1,384.30 on the New York's Comex at 8:48 a.m., while the May gold futures traded in London
Producer price in inflation in Portugal decreased for the fifth consecutive month in March with the producer price index declined annually from 1.8% recorded in February to a level of 1.5% in March, while in January it was 1.9%, the Statistics Portugal reported on Wednesday. The report also showed that manufacturing sector prices grew 0.4%, whereas mining and quarrying prices
The Canadian currency decreased against the U.S. Dollar on Wednesday after the Bank of Canada lowered its forecast of growth from 2% to 1.5% as recent data released in Canada, China and the U.S. did not match estimates. The so-called Loonie was traded lower by 0.6% at C$1.0271 per U.S. dollar as of 10:04 a.m. Toronto time, while one Canada's
Consumer confidence in Japan rose for the third consecutive month in March with the seasonally adjusted consumer confidence index rising from 44.2 points in February to 44.8 points in March, a data released by the Cabinet Office revealed on Wednesday. The data also showed that on an unadjusted basis it was up 45 in March from 44.2 in February.
The British Sterling depreciated on Wednesday recording its largest drop in six weeks against the U.S. Dollar after the government report unveiled that the jobless rate in the U.K. gained and wage increase eased in March. The Pound fell 0.9% to $1.5220 as of 3:16 p.m. in London and it edged down 0.1% to 85.80 pence per euro after it
Housing starts in Australia decreased in the last three months of 2012 after recording a steep advance in the Q3, the report released by the Housing Industry Association showed on Wednesday. According to the report new housing starts fell 2.3% on a sequential basis in the Q4 reversing an increase recorded in the previous quarter of 7.4%.
U.S. Treasuries advanced on Wednesday pushing the benchmark 10-year rates close to the lowest level in a four-month period after demand for safer assets was boosted by decreasing prices of stocks and commodities on markets. The U.S. 10-year yields were down three basis points at 1.69% as of 10:39 a.m. in New York following a drop to 1.67% on April
The total number of British people claiming for jobless benefits declined surprisingly in March, while the unemployment rate advanced in the three months ended in February, the Office for National Statistics reported on Wednesday. According to the report there were 7,000 less people claiming unemployment benefits standing at 1.53 million in March, however, the jobless rate jumped from 7.7% in
Construction output in the 17-nation bloc declined at the slower rate in February than in the month before, when the production fell in Poland, Germany and Portugal, while it remained flat in Spain, the statistical office Eurostat reported on Wednesday. The report showed that construction production slipped 0.8% on a monthly basis in February compared to previous month's decrease of
West Texas Intermediate oil decreased for the fourth time in last five days on Wednesday after the U.S. government reported that production increased to the strongest level since 1992 and as demand for gasoline weakened. May WTI futures dropped by $1.42 to $87.30 a barrel earlier on the NYMEX after the contracts closed at the lowest since December 24 on
Spanish leading indicator of economy decreased for the first time in a six-month period in February, the latest data released by the Conference Board unveiled on Wednesday. The data showed that the leading economic index dropped by 0.3% on a sequential basis falling to 104.8 in February, while the coincidence economic index of current situation fell 0.3% to 93.9 in
The Thailand's Bath gained 0.2% to 28.96 per U.S. Dollar from 12th of April in the morning trading session of Bangkok on Wednesday. The local financial market was closed for two days amid holiday for the Thai New Year. The currency strengthens towards a 16-year high, as the IMF improved Japan's growth perspectives, which is the biggest provider of foreign investments and the second-biggest market of Thailand's exports.