Gold futures to be delivered in April lost 0.4% or USD 7.70 and traded at USD 1,733.50on the Comex division of New York Mercantile Exchange. The drop came amid advance of US Dollar index as Euro and British pound depreciated on news Greece will not receive bailout package until austerity plan will not be legally implemented.
Australian currency weakened from close to 6-month high after RBA cut its predictions for inflation and GDP this year. Aussie fell 0.7% against greenback to USD 1.0714 and also gave up 0.7% against Japanese Yen to JPY 83.18. Meanwhile New Zealand Dollar lost 0.4% against its US peer to USD 0.8306 and tumbled 0.4% against Yen to JPY 64.50. Currently
Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) cut its predictions for consumer price inflation and economic growth this year, giving lawmakers some scope to reduce interest rates in case the Australian economy decelerates rapidly. RBA lowered its annual GDP estimation from 4% to 3.5% and cut expectations for inflation rate from 3.25% to 3.0%. Figures are estimated based on current key interest
India's factory production grew less than expected in December, indicating weaker domestic demand amid global slowdown. The output at India's plants, mines and utilities added 1.8% on yearly basis compared to a 5.9% advance in November. Economists questioned by Bloomberg predicated a 2.6% improvement.
European stock markets closed higher on Thursday as Greece announced it reached consensus on austerity plan. Stocks were also supported by US jobs statistics. Stoxx 600 Europe added 0.2%, while German DAX index gained 0.6%. French CAC 40 advanced 0.4% and FTSE 100 climbed 0.3%.
British house prices fell to 6-months record high in January on concern about country's economy amid European debt woe. The average value of home in Whales and England dropped 0.2% compared to December, reaching GBP 218.992. On yearly basis house price declined 1.4%. Only in London annual value gained 3%. UK economy slipped 0.2% in 4th quarter of 2011.
Europe's finance ministers suspended a bailout funding for Greece and left officials in Athens either to ratify lately issued debt cut plan or to leave Euro Zone. Euro area countries will not deliver EUR 130 billion rescue funding until Greece will not implement its austerity plan, said Jean-Claude Juncker, Luxembourg's PM.
The number of Americans who filled applications for jobless benefits declined more than forecast in the week which ended February 4. Claims for unemployment benefits fell by 15 000 last week to 358 000. Economists predicted applications may fall to 370 000. The drop in applications for jobless benefits is an additional evidence for improvements in US labour market.
Chinese exports and imports contracted more than expected in January, performing the first drops in 24 months as Lunar New Year holidays hindered trade and commodity value faded. Foreign shipments lost 0.5% while imports fell 15.3% from previous year. Economists predicted the decline in imports may reach 3.6%. Nation's trade surplus surged to USD 27.3 billion.
German DAX 30 index surged 0.9% on Thursday, and extended gains after Mario Draghi announced he has received a confirmation from Greek PM Papademos that austerity measures have been approved. Daimler AG shares rallied, hitting 6-month record high after posting a 39% increase in 4th quarter profit. Car makers contributed to the gains as BMW AG appreciated 3.75% and Volkswagen
UK FTSE 100 Index climbed 0.5% on Thursday, lifted by financial and oil shares. Lloyds Banking Group PLC gained 2% and Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC soared 1.3%. BG Group PLC added 2% after the company posted a 43% advance in its 4th quarter profit. In contrast Vodafone Group PLC lost 0.4% on its interim statement. Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC
Japan's Nikkei Stock Average traded lower on Thursday as Chinese inflation rate unexpectedly rose 4.5% in January and investors awaited results from Greek debt swap talks. Nikkei 225 index slipped 0.14% or 12.34 points at 9,003.25 despite optimistic results from paper industry. Mitsub Paper rallied 10.5% and Nippon Paper gained 5.5% on improved earnings. Auto makers pared gains for the
Hong Kong's Hang Seng index was little changed on Thursday amid unexpected increase in Chinese consumer prices. Hang Seng index edged 0.04% or 8.45 points down at 21,010.01. Property and financials shares showed mixed performance on February 9. Bank of Communications lost 2.5%, while Industrial & Commercial Bank of China dropped 0.9%. On the upside the index was supported by
German car producer Daimler AG, who manufactures Mercedes Benz trucks and cars, posted a 39% gain in 4th quarter profit, fuelled by its M-Class sport utility car sales. Daimler's EBITDA rose to EUR 2.18 billion compared to EUR 1.56 billion previous year. The figure almost match the EUR 2.17 billion forecast. Daimler AG today announced a dividend of EUR 2.20
If US government will not provide any plausible plan how to cut its deficit equal about USD 1 trillion, the country is likely to face another credit rating downgrade in 6 months to 2 years, depending on the results of presidential elections, said John Chambers, sovereign ratings managing director at Standard & Poor's. Chambers emphasized US need a medium term fiscal measures
Treasuries climbed higher on Wednesday as investors monitored developments in Greece. Borrowing costs on 10-year bills gave up 1 basis point, reaching 1.97% while those on 5-year bonds traded flat at 0.82%. Yields on 30-year notes dropped 1 basis point, attaining 3.14%, the highest since October 2011.
Gold futures for delivery in April dropped USD 17.10, or 1.0%, and settked at USD1,731.30 per ounce on the Comex division of New York Mercantile Exchange. The fall in gold price were partly caused by the slight depreciation in Euro currency, sending the greenback higher. In previous session precios metal jumped 1.4%.
Dow Jones Industrial Average Index traded close to flat on Wednesday, supported on the positive side by Bank of America which surged 3.6% and technology stocks. Blue chip index advanced 0.04% or 5.75 points and closed at 12,883.95. United Technologies and Hewlett Packard each gained 1.8% while Cisco Systems added 1.4% on its earnings report. Walt Disney Co climbed only
S&P 500 index managed to end higher on Wednesday despite stalled Greek talks. S&P main index climbed 0.22% or 2.91 points and closed at 1,349.96. Clothes producer Ralph Lauren jumped 9% on report its earnings and net income rose in 4th quarter. Hartford Financial Services Group added 7.6% after investor John Paulson claimed the insurer needs to implement drastic measures
US stocks markets closed with a modest gains on Wednesday on investor hopes Greece would finally accept conditions required from international creditors. S&P 500 index edged up 0.22% or 2.91 points at 1,349.96, Dow Jones Industrial Average index advanced 0.04% or 5.75 points and closed at 12,883.95 while Nasdaq Composite added 0.41% or 11.78 points, reaching 2,915.86.
Canadian Dollar weakened against the greenback on Wednesday as investors were awaiting whether Greek officials will accept all requirements to receive the bailout package. Canadian currency slipped 0.2% against its US peer to CAD 0.9960. Currently USD/CAD is trading at 0.9950.
People's Bank of China withdrew CNY 44 billion (USD 6.98 billion) from Chinese money market via open market operations to curb excess liquidity. The draining of funds comes amid news Chinas consumer price unexpectedly surged in January. Nevertheless central bank refused to auction 3-month and 1-year bonds.
Rio Tinto Group, the third biggest mining firm in the world reported a 59% drop in its annual profit after executing one time payment on its aluminium division. The annual net income amounted USD 5.8 billion compared to USD 14.3 billion previous year. Economists earlier predicted net income to reach USD 15.6 billion.
Most European equity markets finished lower on Wednesday as Greece continued to struggle with international creditors about nation's debt swap agreement. Stoxx Europe 600 index and UK FTSE 100 index each edged down 0.2% at 263.01, and 5,875.93 respectively. DAX 30 index and French CAC 40 each fell 0.1% at 6,748.76 and 3,410.00 respectively.