Australian S&P/ASX 200 index climbed higher on Tuesday, supported by the RBA meeting minutes which claimed there is a scope for further monetary easing if needed. Australian government sold inflation linked debt at record low borrowing costs. Australian benchmark added 0.83% or 35.10 points and closed at 4,291.20 with all 10 sectors posting gains. Onesteel Ltd was the main gainer
Swiss trade surplus narrowed in January amid falling exports, reported Switzerland's Federal Statistics Office. The trade balance narrowed to 1.55 billion Swiss Francs in January as compared to 2.01 billion Swiss Francs in the December. Experts predicted the figure to attain 2.50 billion Swiss Francs last month. Exports lost 3.4% while imports added 3.6% in January.
European stock markets closed into positive area on Monday as investors were optimistic about probability the Greece would finally receive its second bailout package. Stoxx Europe 600 index added 0.8%, FTSE 100 index soared 0.7% and German DAX index rallied 1.5%. French CAC 40 index climbed 1% while Athens General Index gained 0.2%.
Natural gas futures closed lower on Monday after gaining 10.5% over the last week. The gains were caused by mass natural gas production cuts in the US amid weak prices. However, the stimulus appeared to be short-living as mild weather forecasts again started to weight down on the commodity price. Natural gas April contract traded at 2.76 US Dollars per
World's aluminium production fell by 49,000 metric tons attaining 2,140,000 tons last month, reported the International Aluminium Institute. The main falls were in North America, Western Europe and Africa, the IAI added. However, on a yearly basis the production increased by 3,000.
The largest oil companies in China are looking for ways to limit the effect of geopolitical tensions in Iran and North Africa. Companies are planning to relocate equipment assembling and set up new logistic hubs in the United Arabic Emirates. At the same time, it seems reasonable to diversify investments in other regions like America as well, added Andrew George
Swedish Krona and Norwegian Krone are the most overpriced in 40 years as investors perceive currencies as safe haven assets amid European debt crisis. According to OECD indicator, measuring relative costs of services and goods, Swedish Krona is 25% overvalued and Norwegian Krone is nearly 40% too expensive. Overvalued currencies are putting negative pressure on countries' growth.
Crude oil futures added to yesterday's gains as traders increased long-positions in the commodity amid Iranian supply threats and long-awaited Greek bailout deal. Speculation that Israel plans to attack Iran also contributed to an increase in the oil price. Light, sweet crude oil April contract traded at 105.16 US Dollars per barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange, soaring 1.5%.
Barclays Capital reports that its core indicators for industry metals showed sharp increase in demand momentum in the end of Q1 and Q2. Experts attributed the expected demand increase to better PMI in China and in the US. The cyclical slowdown in the emerging markets coupled with global economic turmoil definitely impact the demand for base metals but Barclays believes
China may raise export tax rebates in 2012 in an attempt to stimulate its exports amid global economic instability. The decision will be made when time is appropriate and will be the first tax rebate increase in the last three years, said Zhong Shan, Deputy Minister of Commerce. The country will try to stick to its current foreign policies but
Mazda Motor Corp. announced it will issue new shares worth JPY 100 billion to aid its business. Japanese auto manufacturer predicts large scale net loss valued at JPY 100 billion this year, marking the fourth negative year in a row as strong Yen harms company's vehicle exports. Additionally Mazda is planning increase debt by JPY 70 billion through loans from
China's key money market rate declined on investor speculation the liquidity will advance after government's decision to lower reserve requirement ratios. Seven day repurchase costs, an indicator of capital availability, gave up 49 points to 4.88%. The repurchase rates are likely to diminish further, said Dariusz Kowalczyk, Credit Agricole CIB's strategist in Hong Kong.
The central bank of Australia said it still has some space for monetary relieving if necessary. The Reserve Bank of Australia kept its key interest rate unchanged earlier this month. In case demand conditions worsen dramatically, current inflation outlook provides a scope for additional monetary easing, reported RBA in its latest meeting minutes. Australian Dollar slightly depreciated on the announcement.
17-nation currency appreciated against the Greenback and the Japanese Yen after European Finance Ministers approved the second rescue package for indebted Greece. Euro added 0.1% against its US peer to USD 1.3254 and strengthened 0.2% against Yen to JPY 105.62. Currently EUR/USD is trading at USD 1.3281 and EUR/JPY is trading at JPY 105.95.
Debt-troubled Greece won EUR 130 billion (USD 173 billion) rescue package after EU governments squeezed allowances from private creditors and persuaded investor representatives to give more debt alleviation. The bailout funding will allow Greece to repay debt due March and avoid default. Greece sustained its promise and accepted additional spending cuts valued at EUR 325 million.
British FTSE 100 index traded 0.8% higher on Monday ahead of European finance ministers meeting in Brussels as investors hoped it will result in second bailout package for Greece. Financial and resource shares which are closely linked to economic growth posted major gains. Lloyds Banking Group advanced 3.2% and Royal Bank of Scotland climbed 3.3%. Miner Rio Tinto soared 2.5%
Hong Kong's Hang Seng index opened 0.7% higher on Monday Asian trade as China released announcement it cut nation's reserve requirement ratio. However index erased gains later and finished 0.31% or 66.83 points lower at 21,424.79 after data showed a rapid slowdown in Chinese housing market. Resource stocks posted the biggest declines with China Petroleu giving up 5.5% and China
German DAX index extended gains on Monday lifted by hopes Greece would finally receive the rescue package and China's decision to ease reserve requirements. Among notable winners were HeidelbergCement AG and Infineon Technologies AG, surging 2.3% and 2.2% respectively. Financial stocks also supported DAX on the upside with Commerzbank advancing 2.3% and Deutsche Bank jumping 2.4%. At the moment of
Rural commodities rallied on Friday amid expectation of stronger demand for US grain supplies. Harmed crops in the South America created fresh stimulus for major grain importers such as China to replace South American supplies with increased imports from the US. Wheat, the top gainer, was also backed up by the further limitation of exports from Ukraine. Moreover, speculation over
Energy markets faced mixed performance on Friday, with rising crude oil and natural gas and falling Brent and heating oil. Crude oil was mainly lifted by strong economic data from the US and renewed geopolitical tensions over the Iranian nuclear program and violence in Nigeria and Iraq. However, the upswing may be capped by the instability of the Euro Zone's
Base metals ended the week mostly lower amid deteriorated investors' confidence on the uncertainty over the Greek bailout talks and weak demand from the main industry metals consumer, China. However, the downward movement was limited by the expected production cuts and positive headlines from the US. Firm equities also lent some support to the commodity group. Meanwhile, zinc faced the
Precious metals, excluding platinum, declined on Friday amid lack of clear decision over the Greek bailout. Precious metals were broadly tracking the movement of the Euro against the US Dollar. At the same time, upbeat US economic data put the investors off precious metals that traditionally are considered as safe haven. The yellow metal found additional support in the increased
The index, measuring French business sentiment stayed at 92 in February, matching economists' expectations. Although the February business confidence indicator is the lowest reading in two years, it has stopped its decline, indicating European second biggest economy may be gaining momentum for recovery.
Standard & Poor's rating agency reaffirmed Japan's AA- national debt rating on Monday. Nevertheless the company warned it may consider cutting Japan's short and long term ratings in case country's officials fail to reduce debt. Standard & Poor's emphasized it will watch Tokyo efforts to bring to order nation's fiscal policy.