On Friday, the U.S. dollar pared losses against the Japanese Yen, following a report on U.S. GDP, which showed that the economy picked up last quarter. The greenback was traded at 79.92 Japanese Yen at 8:41 a.m. in New York, which is still a 0.5% fall for the session. Before the release of the data, the Dollar, however, was at
The National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies reported on Friday that confidence of consumers in France fell in September. French consumer confidence decreased to a figure of 84 last month from a previous month's reading of 85. Analysts also expected that the index would be equal to 84.
On Friday, Spain's government bonds declined, following a report on joblessness, which showed that more than every fourth Spaniard was unemployed. The yield on benchmark 10-year government notes added 6 basis points to 5.67% by 12:56 p.m. in London. The yield increased by 30 basis points this week, which is the highest weekly gain since the period ended August 31.
The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development reported on on Friday that confidence of Italian businesses declines unexpectedly in September. Italian business confidence fell to a reading of 87.6 on a seasonally adjusted basis, from a figure of 88.3 in the preceding month. Whereas economists expected that the index would rise to 88.7.
The National Statistics Institute reported on Friday that Spanish unemployment increased to a record high in the quarter from July to September, adding pressure on the Prime Minister to seek for bailout. The level of unemployment reached a level of 25.02%, compared to a reading of 24.6% in the preceding quarter. The figure is the highest since 1976, when the
On Friday, copper declined, heading for the third weekly loss, amid upcoming U.S. growth data and uncertainty over the global economy. On the London Metal Exchange, three-month copper declined by $1 to trade at $7,814 per metric tonne at 1.28 a.m. in New York. Moreover, it was likely to end the week with a 2.5% fall.
On Friday, futures for natural gas were falling, reaching a 2-week low, after a report showed that inventories for the commodity rose to a level of 3.843 trillion cubic feet. On the NYMEX, November delivery futures for natural gas eased $0.016 to trade at $3.434 per million Btu, which was the lowest since October 8.
On Friday, oil was traded lower and was likely to witness the biggest week decline in a month, amid speculation that growth of the U.S. economy would not boost demand, and an increase in stockpiles. On the NYMEX, December delivery futures for light sweet crude were traded at $85.56 at 12:47 a.m. in London, which was a 0.58% fall for
The Bureau of Economic Analysis reported on Friday that the gross domestic product of the United States added more than expected in the quarter from July to September. The U.S. GDP climbed 2% annual rate, compared to a 1.3% increase in the preceding quarter. Economists, however, expected that the economy would expand at a rate of 1.8%. Consumer spending accounts
U.S. stock futures prolonged decline on Friday on a global equity sell-off, partially led by weaker-than-expected Q3 results from Apple Inc., after yesterday's U.S. closing bell and fragile Asian economic data. Dow Jones futures slipped 0.9% to 12,944. Futures on S&P 500 lost 11.2 points to 1,397 and those on Nasdaq fell 22.75 points to 2,265.25.
European stocks declined, keying off lower-than-forecast earnings from Apple Inc., which created sharp drops for Asian markets. U.S. GDP data due later today also in focus. On Friday, the Stoxx Europe 600 slipped 0.4% to 269.10. The CAC 40 fell 0.5% to 3.395.35, the DAX 30 tumbled 0.2% to 7,182.51 and the FTSE 100 slid 0.4% to 5,781.15.
Rural commodities, excluding coffee, tumbled on Thursday amid broadly stronger greenback and uncertainty over Ukrainian exports. Meanwhile, traders continued to monitor weather forecasts in the top-growing regions to gauge global supplies.Wheat shed 1.27% despite uncertainty over Ukraine's export restrictions. However, wheat is likely to trade higher on Friday as the Intentional Grains Council lowered its forecast for global harvest yields.Corn
Energy futures except for natural gas moved higher on Thursday amid positive signals from the US economy. US durable goods soared in September while jobless claims fell last week. However, a boost was partly offset by slower than expected increase in pending home sales and a buildup in the US crude oil inventories last week.Crude oil eased up on bullish
Industrial metals dropped on Thursday amid mixed data from the US. US durable goods orders soared 9.9% in September while unemployment claims eased down last week. At the same time, pending home sales rose much slower than expected in September. Sending the commodity group lower, uncertainty over Spain continued to dampen demand for risker assets.Aluminum remained in the negative territory
Treasuries advance for the first time in three days amid belief a report on U.S. GDP will post the first back-to-back growth readings below 2% since the country was rebounding from recession in 2009. On Friday, the 10-year yields dropped 2 basis points to 1.80%. The price of the 1.625% security maturing in August 2022 soared 6/32 to 98 14/32.
Precious metals rebounded after previous losses on Thursday, drawing strength from loosening monetary policy in the US. Pushing the commodity group higher, a recent slump in prices provoked some bargain hunting. Meanwhile, investors remained cautious ahead of the US quarterly GDP data release due on Friday.Gold jumped as the Fed pledged to stick to loose policy until US economic health
German consumer confidence increased despite pessimistic forecasts in October, the data showed on Friday. The GfK Institute's consumer climate index soared to 6.3 points for November, compared to an upwardly revised 6.1 points in the preceding month. It was a second consecutive advance for the indicator.The survey of about 2,000 people revealed income expectations rising noticeably, while consumers' willingness to
Asian stocks declined as companies including China Unicom Ltd. And Fanus Corp. reported earnings, which missed forecasts. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index slid 1.2% to 121.24, Japan's Nikkei 225 Stock Average fell 1.3% before a BOJ policy meeting on October 30. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index lost 1.2% and Taiwan's Taiex Index slipped 1.8%. China's Shanghai Composite Index retreated 1.9%
Germany's Import Price Inflation decelerated more than economists predicted in September, after surging in the preceding month, Federal Statistical Office said on Friday. The IPI rose 1.8% on yearly basis, compared to a 3.2% jump in August. Economists had forecast a 2.9% increase in September. On monthly basis, the prices fell 0.7%, after increasing 1.3% in August.
Japan's policy makers announced 750 billion yen of stimulus to prop up economic growth as consumer prices fell and the legislature gridlock threatens to undermine government debt sales. Economy Minister Seiji Maehara said that the measures would increase GDP by 0.1 percentage point. The legislature should be approved by the end of November in order to hold debt auctions as
The Yen advanced versus all the major peers as earning concerns pushed down Asian stocks, increasing demand for haven assets. The Yen strengthened 0.3% to 80.02 per U.S. Dollar after touching 80.38, the weakest level since June 25. Japan's currency rose 0.3% to 103.54 per Euro. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index slipped 0.9% after companies including China Unicom Ltd. And
German stocks climbed on Thursday on encouraging news from the UK and US. US jobless claims dropped last week while US durable goods orders soared by 9.9% last month. Better-than-expected quarterly results of large European companies also lifted German equities. The DAX Index jumped 0.72% and is currently trading at 7,244.61. Five out of nine sectors included in the index
UK shares climbed on Thursday on encouraging profits of the FTSE 100 majors. Moreover, UK economy grew more-than-expected in Q3, pulling the country out of the recession. The UK GDP expanded by 1%, beating forecasts of a 0.6% rise. UK shares received a boost after the national GDP data. Positive news from the US also supported UK shares. The FTSE
Hong Kong blue chips extended previous gains on Thursday, rallying for 10th consecutive session. Positive news from the US real estate market and hopes for easing in Japan boosted Hong Kong shares. Adding to gains of the Hong Kong equities, the Fed indicated that it will continue monetary stimulus until the US economic health improves significantly. The Hang Seng Index