Germany's Producer Price Inflation rose more than estimated in August, Destatis said on Thursday. The PPI accelerated 1.6% on year in August, slightly faster than the 0.9% surge in July. Economists expected an advance of 1.5%. Energy prices climbed 3.2% and capital goods' prices gained 1.1%. Consumer goods' prices surged 2.3%, while intermediate goods' prices slipped 0.2%.
New Zealand's economy rose 2.6% on year in the second quarter, exceeding economists' estimates and accelerating from the 2.3% advance in the previous quarter. New Zealand's agricultural sector activity climbed 4.7%, the sector hasn't been as strong since June 1987. Meanwhile, construction activity jumped 3.3%.
Agricultural commodities were mixed on Wednesday, with grains climbing and coffee and sugar slumping. Broadly weaker US Dollar and stimulus measures in Japan boosted market sentiment. Wheat rose as Morocco is likely to suspend all wheat taxes starting from October as commodity price on the international market remains high. However, news that Ukraine will not impose wheat export restrictions capped
Asian stocks declined on Thursday, failing to stick to preceding session's advance amid monetary-easing, as energy companies fell along with U.S. oil futures and as China's manufacturing PMI rise did little to fuel interest for the stocks. The Nikkei Stock Average slipped 1.6%, Australia's S&P 200 Index slid 0.5%, the Hang Seng Index fell 0.9%, and Shanghai Composite Index dropped
Energy commodities tumbled on Wednesday as BoJ stimulus measures failed to provide strong support for the commodity group. Elevated inventory levels in the US as well as potential increase in supplies form Libya, Russia and Saudi Arabia created heavy pressure on energy prices. Crude oil plunged after the EIA reported that US crude oil inventories climbed 8.5 million barrels last week
China's manufacturing activity slowed down for 11th consecutive month in September, however, at a slightly slower pace than in the previous month, preliminary report showed on Thursday. HSBC's "flash" PMI was at 47.8 points, from 47.6 in August, but still lower than July's reading. Analysts expect the official PMI reading on Oct. 1 to surge above 50-level showing expansion in
Industrial metals were mixed on Wednesday after the Bank of Japan announced easing program to stimulate faltering economy. Moreover, slightly better-than-expected HSBC China's PMI release lifted the base metals. Aluminum was the top-loser amid increased global output and elevated inventory levels at the LME warehouses. Meanwhile, traders remained cautious ahead of the US jobless claims data due on Thursday. Copper added 0.37%
Precious metals were mixed on Wednesday after the Bank of Japan announced that it will expand its assent and loan-purchasing program to boost economy. Weaker US Dollar coupled with rising holdings of the largest precious metals-backed funds created additional support for the commodity group. Gold was almost flat despite easing measures in Japan and weaker US Dollar. Positive data from the
German stocks are trading on the positive note, erasing early losses. German equities were boosted by easing measures in Japan and rally in Asian shares. Positive data from the US real estate market also lifted German stocks. US existing home sales grew more than expected this month. The German DAX Index added 0.27% to trade at 7,367.53. Four in nine
UK shares are trading slightly higher on Wednesday on positive news from Asia. The BoJ decided to expand its asset-buying program to boost economic activity in the country. However, uncertainty over Spain's next bailout continued to weight on market sentiment. The FTSE 100 Index lost 0.11% to trade at 5,861.93. Seven out of ten sectors within the index gained. The
Hong Kong equities surged on Wednesday after the BoJ announced stimulus measures to boost faltering economy. However, continuous uncertainty whether Spain will ask for financial aid capped the upswing of the Hong Kong blue chips. The Hang Seng Index rallied 1.17% to end the session at 20,841.91. Six out of nine business sectors included in the index surged. The largest
Japanese equities rallied on Wednesday after the Bank of Japan announced monetary easing to boost the national economy. The BoJ stated that it would expand the asset-purchasing and loan program by USD127.21 billion. The Nikkei 225 Index soared 1.19% to close at 9,232.21. All but one sectors within the index jumped. The top-performers were technology and consumer goods. Shares of
The Dow Jones Industrial Index edged higher by 0.09% to close at 13,564.64 on news that the US current account deficit narrowed more than expected in Q2. However, weak manufacturing state in the US and lingering concerns over spreading debt crisis in Eurozone weighted down on the US blue chips. A half of the business sectors included in the index
US equities were slightly lower on Tuesday despite positive news from the US. US current account deficit narrowed more than expected in Q2. At the same time, uncertainty over whether Spain will apply for bailout created heavy pressure on the US stock markets. The S&P 500 Index inched down by 0.13% to close at 1,459.32. Five out of ten sectors
Gasoline stockpiles in the U.S. declined surprisingly in the third quarter of 2012, the US Energy Information Administration reported on Wednesday. Gasoline Inventories declined to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of -1.407M, down from -1.177M in the prior quarter. Experts had predicted U.S. Gasoline Inventories to jump 1.229M in the last quarter.
On Wednesday, September 19, treasuries climbed for the third day in a row, after Jyrki Katainen, Finnish Prime Minister, said that investors continue to worry that Eurozone can breakup, which supported the safe haven demand. The yields on benchmark 10-year notes declined 0.02 percentage point, or 2 basis points, reaching 1.79% at 7:35 a.m. New York time.
The Australian Dollar advanced against the Yen, following the BOJ's announcement that it will expand its stimulus measures. The Australian Dollar rose 0.4% to trade at 82.73 in terms of the Yen at 5:06 p.m. Sydney time. Elsewhere, the yield on benchmark 10-year Australian bond advanced 2 basis points and reached 3.35%.
On Wednesday, prices for gold reached a six-and-a-half-month high, following the BOJ's announcement about its fresh monetary stimulus. Spot quotes for gold did not change significantly and were traded at USD1,772.49 per ounce at 10:16 a.m. London time, while December delivery futures gained USD4.00 per ounce to trade at USD1,775.20.
On Wednesday, copper prices climbed to the level which was the highest since May 1 on Japan's central bank announcement of fresh round of monetary stimulus. On the NYMEX, December delivery futures for copper were traded at $3.812 per pound, which was a 0.65% for the European morning trading session. Earlier, copper hit $3.838, which was the highest since May 1.
On Wednesday, European stocks rose, halting a two-day fall, on BOJ's announcement that it will expand its asset-purchasing program. The Stoxx 600 climbed 0.3% to 274.71 at 1:52 p.m. London time, which was a 17% gain during the rally started on June 4. Porsche SE jumped 7.7%, which was the biggest gain in the Stoxx Europe 600 Index.
On Wednesday, the greenback was broadly higher versus its major counterparts, as Spanish financial worries supported the demand for safe haven. EUR/USD went down by 0.38%, reaching the level or 1.2996. GBP/USD fell to 1.6202, which was a 0.26% loss. USD/CHF climbed 0.18%, being traded at 0.9302. USD/CAD inched up 0.07% and was traded at 0.9748.
On Wednesday, prices for oil hit a 6-week low on Spanish financial worries, trimming earlier gains on Japan's central bank monetary stimulus. November delivery futures for Brent eased $0.80 to trade at $111.23 per barrel at 10:50 a.m. London time. Contracts for October delivery of U.S. crude lost $0.41 and were traded at $94.88 per barrel.
U.S. housing starts rose less than expected in August, while applications for home mortgages declined, adding to concerns over the U.S. property market, the U.S. Census Bureau said on Wednesday. Construction on new U.S. homes rose 2.3% to 750,000, up from 733,000 in the prior month, below expectations for a 2.85% increase to 765,000. Building permits issued in July declined to 0.803 million units, from
Hopes the Bank of England will announce new economic stimulus plan above the existing program with a total value of 375 billion pounds ($610 billion) have been raised after minutes of the monetary policy committee's meeting on Wednesday. The BoE also expects the inflation rate to decelerate less rapidly, as oil and food prices rose.