West Texas Intermediate crude increased on Thursday rising towards the highest level in two weeks after inventories in the U.S., the world's biggest consumer of oil, declined by more than economists initially forecast. WTI for delivery next month jumped 47 cents to $94.64 per barrel on the NYMEX and was traded at $94.19 by 1:30 p.m. in London.
European shares fluctuated on Thursday and traded close to the strongest level in six years led by mining companies with Citigroup Inc. rising the most and after a report showed that jobless claims in the U.S. slipped to the lowest level in six weeks. The Stoxx Europe 600 Index declined 0.1% to 334.2 as of 1:36 p.m. London time.
U.S. Treasuries increased on Thursday session after a government report showed that consumer prices in the country advanced 1.5% last year compared to the Federal Reserve's target of 2%. The benchmark 10-year government yield dropped four basis points to 2.86% as of 8:36 a.m. in New York and the price has risen from last year's lowest level of 1.61% recorded
The ECB policy makers decided to make a 6% limit of capital requirement as a percentage from their risky assets for the Eurozone's banks, when the ECB starts its stress-tests later this year. At the same time, such a requirement is higher than 5% implemented by the European Banking Authority. Meanwhile, in case of lack of the capital, the ECB
The consumer price index in the Eurozone decreased to 0.8% in December of the previous year from 0.9% a month ago, matching economists' predictions. At the same time, the inflation level was higher than 0.7% in October. On a monthly basis, prices increased 0.3%. Analysts explain changes by new method of calculating inflation in Germany, while the CPI still remains
The trade balance of Belgium posted a much smaller deficit in November of the last year, comparing with a year ago, as exports jumped and imports dropped. The total negative gap decreased to 0.3 billion euro versus 2 billion euro a year ago. Moreover, in October even a surplus of trade was registered. Exports in November advanced 2.4% annually, while
Car registrations in Europe dropped in 2013, while the total number of new cars sold reached the lowest level since 1995. There were 1.7% less or 11.8 million cars sold during the previous year. At the same time, in December alone they surged 13.3% with the U.K. market remaining the fastest-growing, where sales were up 23.8%. Spain sales were up
Consumer price index in the largest economy of the Eurozone rose in December of the last year, reaching 1.4% from 1.3% a month before, the Destatis data showed on Thursday. At the same time, the annual inflation for the whole year 2013 was 1.5%, down from 2% in 2012. ECB defines the stable level of inflation at 2% mark and
Activity in the service sector of Japan increased less than forecasted in November of the previous year, as the corresponding index inched up 0.6%, reaching 100.1 points. Analysts predicted the index to rise 0.7% after a 0.9% decline in October. According to the data, activity surged in finance, real estate and retail industries, while communications and utilities saw a decline
Australian jobless rate remained flat in the last month of 2013 matching initial economists' projections, a report published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed on Thursday. According to the report, the country's unemployment rate came in at 5.8% in December as the country lost 22,600 jobs on the month totaling 11,629,500.
Foreign direct investment in the Asian largest economy advanced in the last month of 2013, a report published by the Ministry of Commerce showed on Thursday. According to the report, China's foreign direct investment increased 3.3% on an annual basis in December totaling $12.08 billion after recording a level of $8.5 billion in the previous month.
Core machinery orders in the Asian second largest economy climbed to the highest level in five years in November suggesting that local companies may raise wages and increase investments in the region, a report published by the Bank of Japan showed on Thursday. According to the report, Japan's core machinery orders rose 9.3% in November compared to a level of
The Canadian Dollar remained mostly flat on Thursday trading session after slightly rebounding in the previous session amid speculation that the Bank of Canada may take action in its monetary policy cutting the interest rates as the country reported weak domestic data. The so-called Loonie traded at C$1.0963 per U.S. Dollar, close to the lowest level in four years at
The Australian currency declined on Thursday trading session falling towards the lowest level against the U.S. Dollar since August 2010 on speculation that the Reserve Bank of Australian may cut interest rates further after a report showed that employers decreased jobs in December. The so-called Aussie slipped 1% to $0.8797, the least in almost 3 ½ years.
The U.S. Dollar increased on Thursday hitting the strongest level in a week against the Japanese currency after a government report showed that producer prices in the country rose more than expected and as the Bank of America reported earnings. The so-called Greenback strengthened 0.2% to 104.79 yen after rising 0.3% from 102.85 on Monday.
The majority of Asian stocks remained flat together with the gauge of Australian equities increasing as risk appetite of investors improved amid signs that global economy is recovering after favourable U.S. data released yesterday. The MSCI broadest Asia-Pacific gauge stayed flat and the Australian benchmark index rose 1%.
U.S. shares gained, following their biggest advance this year, after the World Bank increased global growth forecast and factory output gained in New York. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index added 0.2% to 1,841.70 as of 9:30 a.m. New York time; however, the equity-benchmark has declined 0.5% this year to date.
The trade surplus of the Eurozone showed a significant improvement in November of the last year, however, it rose much less than analysts forecasted. The surplus totaled 16 billion euro versus 14.7 billion in October, while the average expectation stood at 16.7 billion euro. Exports unexpectedly declined 0.2% for the first time since August, while a decrease in imports worsened
European shares rose, with the regional benchmark Stoxx Europe 600 Index advancing for a fourth consecutive day, after the World Bank increased global growth forecast. The Stoxx 600 added 0.5% to 332.90 as of 9:36 a.m. London time, adding to its four-day climb and the gauge closed at the highest level in more than five years.
U.K. shares gained for a fourth straight day, with the regional benchmark FTSE 100 Index touching the highest level in 11 weeks, after the World Bank raised its growth forecasts. The FTSE 100 Index rose 0.3% to 6,789.19 as of 8:59 a.m. London time, after it has advanced 1.5% in the past four days, The FTSE All-Share Index added 0.3%,
The Australian Dollar dropped, prolonging its biggest decline in a month against the U.S. counterpart, ahead of tomorrow's jobs data that is forecasted to remain at its current level. The Aussie slid 0.5% to 89.19 U.S. cents at 4:57 p.m. Sydney time, after depreciating 1% on Monday, while the Kiwi slipped 0.5% to 83.40 U.S. cents.
Latvia has successfully launched its first euro bonds sale in 2014 yesterday, as the country sold one billion euro of debt. The yields declined, as the country joined the Eurozone in the beginning of this year, meaning that it is now safer to lend money to Latvia. Seven-year bond yields dropped to 2.815% in 2014 from 3.125% in 2009 when
According to the preliminary data, economic growth in Germany reached 0.4% in the previous year after a 0.7% rise in 2012, while analysts predicted the GDP to add 0.5%. At the same time, the budget deficit in Germany totaled 0.1%. Private consumption in the country rose 0.9%, government spending advanced 1.1%, while exports and imports increased 0.6% and 1.3%, respectively.
The total number of machine tool orders in Japan jumped considerably in December of the last year, as there were 28% more orders than in December of the year ago. In money terms, orders reached 1116.98 billion yen. It is worth pointing out that domestic orders rose 41.6%, while export demand increased 21.9%. Moreover, counting the whole year 2013, orders