Germany sold two-year bills at record low borrowing costs on January 18, after S&P left Europe's biggest economy's credit rating unchanged at AAA. Bonds with two years maturity were sold at average yield of 0.17% compared to 0.29% in December. The demand almost two times surpassed the maximum target amount of 4 bn Euros of debt.
Australian Dollar depreciated against the Greenback on Thursday after country reported the number of jobs unexpectedly declined in December and unemployment rate remained unchanged. Meanwhile the Kiwi fell against its US peers, on national statistics showing consumer prices tumbled in the 4th quarter. Aussie dropped 0.3% to $1.0400 and Kiwi weakened 0.2% to $0.8032. Currently AUD/USD is trading at $1.0386 and
Australia unexpectedly reported a drop in number of hirings in December while unemployment rate remained steady. The jobless rate was unchanged at 5.2% while the number of employed people declined by 29 300 to 11.4 million. Experts previously has predicted an unemployment level to climb to 5.3%, and the number of employed to surge by 6000. Australian currency depreciated 0.3%
US industrial production expanded less than expected in December, rising by 0.4% over the month as compared to a 0.5% expected increase, reported the U.S. Federal Reserve. November's industrial production was revised to 0.3% decrease from 0.2% drop reported earlier. Considering yearly changes, production added 2.9% in December and 3.7% in November.
Swiss economic sentiment considerably advanced in January, attaining seven-month high. ZEW economic indicator added 21.9 points hitting minus 50.1 this month as compared to December reading of 72.0. Reading above zero signals on optimism while reading below zero signals pessimism.
Japan's industrial production declined more than expected in December, falling by 2.7$ on a seasonally adjusted basis as compared to a 2.6% decrease in November, reported the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. Experts predicted the production to contract by 2.4% in December.
German DAX Index opened 0.3% lower on Wednesday morning on lessened global growth predictions made by World Bank. German benchmark retreated 0.5% during the day as country performed well in sovereign bond auction and IMF issued announcement it will grant a $1 trillion loan program. On the upside were Henkel AG & Co and Infineon Technologies AG adding 2.3% and
Energy markets faced mixed performance on Tuesday with Dow-Jones Energy Index falling by 1.06% over the day. Natural gas and heating oil were among the top losers as natural gas continued to face strong downward pressure from mild weather forecasts and constantly growing US inventories. At the same time, crude oil overcame psychologically significant level of $100 per barrel, ending
Agricultural commodities, except for coffee, edged up on Tuesday. Unfavorable weather forecasts in South America lifted price for corn and wheat while sugar futures managed to climb 0.16%. However, reports on large sugar crops in the EU and Russia coupled with further prospects for increase in Indian exports essentially limited the gains. Sugar may continue to be supported by weaker
Industrial metals soared on Tuesday following stronger than expected economic data from China. Aluminium and zinc were the top performers gaining 3.01% and 2.04%, respectively. At the same time, rallying copper appears to drive the upward trend of the commodity group. However, growing LME warehouses coupled with weak physical demand are likely to cap the upside of zinc. International Lead
Agricultural commodities, except for coffee, edged up on Tuesday. Unfavorable weather forecasts in South America lifted price for corn and wheat while sugar futures managed to climb 0.16%. However, reports on large sugar crops in the EU and Russia coupled with further prospects for increase in Indian exports essentially limited the gains. Sugar may continue to be supported by weaker
Energy markets faced mixed performance on Tuesday with Dow-Jones Energy Index falling by 1.06% over the day. Natural gas and heating oil were among the top losers as natural gas continued to face strong downward pressure from mild weather forecasts and constantly growing US inventories. At the same time, crude oil overcame psychologically significant level of $100 per barrel, ending
Industrial metals soared on Tuesday following stronger than expected economic data from China. Aluminium and zinc were the top performers gaining 3.01% and 2.04%, respectively. At the same time, rallying copper appears to drive the upward trend of the commodity group. However, growing LME warehouses coupled with weak physical demand are likely to cap the upside of zinc. International Lead
Precious metals rallied on Tuesday with the Dow Jones-UBS Previous Metals Index advancing by 1.64% amid improved risk appetite on lingering worries over the mass Euro Zone downgrades. Gold was also strongly supported by expectations of further easing in China and by softening US Dollar. Moreover, soaring stocks and crude oil coupled with an increase in ETF gold holdings created
FTSE 100 Index opened 0.4% down on Wednesday, after World Bank cut its global growth forecast for 2012. However, UK benchmark index recovered later gaining 0.1% 5,701.54, as IMF announced it will provide a $1 trillion loan program, and Germany successfully sold bonds. On the upside the index was supported by Essar Energy PLC which rallied 8.82% while Man Group
ASML Holdings, the largest semiconductor equipment producer expects orders to increase in the first three months this year compared to 4th quarter last year as technology producers boost the capacity for smart phones and tablets. ASML claimed their clients are demanding more advanced chips to provide crucial capacity for their products. ASML shares rallied on announcement the company predicts the revenue totalling
Japan's Nikkei Stock Average climbed on Wednesday, lifted by unexpected surge in German investor confidence and extending gains from China's GDP announcement. Nikkei 225 Index advanced 0.99% or 84.18 points and finished at 8,550.58 led by Tokyo Electric Power Co. which rocketed 7.8%, after the company said it will increase electricity prices for corporate clients in April. On the downside
European equity markets started lower on Wednesday after World Bank cut global growth forecast for 2012. World Bank reduced its growth expectations this year from 3.6% estimated in June to 2.5%. Stoxx Europe 600 Index lost 0.5% and UK FTSE 100 Index dropped 0.4%. French CAC 40 Index and German DAX each fell 0.3%.
Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index posted modest gains on Wednesday as investors upheld optimism about Chinese economic growth amid news about German investor confidence. Hang Seng index added 0.3% or 59.17 points and settled at 19,686.92. Property share rallied in Hong Kong as China Overseas Land & Investment Ltd. advanced 1.4% and Sino Land Co. jumped 1.7%. On the downside
Dow Jones Industrial Average Index advanced on Tuesday, as investors returned from Martin Luther King Day and anticipated news about positive Chinese economic growth and a surge in German investor confidence. Blue chip index added 0.48% or 60.01 points and finished at 12,482.07. 22 stocks out of 30 posted gains, led by Cisco systems which surged 1.31%. Banks performed relatively
S&P 500 Index climbed slightly higher on Tuesday, after a holiday amid mixed earnings reports from large-cap companies and data from China and Germany. US benchmark index gained 0.36% or 4.58 points and closed at 1,293.67. Citigroup shares tumbled 2%, after the company reported a decline in profits in 4th quarter. In contrast, Wells Fargo surged 0.74% after posting increase for
US stock market indexes ended modestly higher on Tuesday amid mixed earnings reports and positive Chinese GDP data. S&P 500 Index gained 0.4% or 4.58 points and closed at 1,293.6, Dow Jones Industrial Average Index climbed 0.5% or 60.01 points to 12,482.07, while Nasdaq Composite surged 0.6% or 17.41 points to 2,728.08.
Australian Dollar appreciated sharply against greenback on Wednesday, fluctuating close to 1.5 month record-high before country's jobs report due tomorrow. Analysts expect the hiring increased in December. Aussie gained 0.2% against US Dollar to $1.0401 on Sydney trade while Kiwi surged 0.4% to $0.8037. Currently AUD/USD is trading at $1.0380 and NZD/USD is trading at $0.8023.
Canada's Dollar reached two-week record high against its US peer as higher-than-expected GDP expansion in China improved demand for riskier assets. Canadian currency climbed 0.3% against US Dollar to C$1.0151 on Toronto evening trade. Currently USD/CAD is trading at C$1.0152.