The European currency slightly advanced on Wednesday trading session recovering from the weakest level in three months recorded yesterday after the European Central Bank President Mario Draghi showed discomfort with the weak level of inflation and signaled policy action on the next meeting. The Euro added to $1.3636, up from 3-month low of $1.3612 hit on Tuesday.
The U.S. currency traded steady earlier on Wednesday trading session and fluctuated near the highest level in eight weeks versus its most-traded peers after it strengthened yesterday on favourbale economic data. The U.S. Dollar index was last seen at 80.340 following an increase to 80.470, the strongest level since April.
Japanese equities advanced on Wednesday rising for the fifth successive session as Mitsui Fudosan Co led gains gaining by 4.7% and as U.S. data raised risk appetite of investors. The benchmark stock index Nikkei 225 average added as much as 0.2% to 14,670.95, while the Topix surged 0.3% to 1,198.17 and the JPX-Nikkei Index 400 jumped 0.2% to 10,926.66.
U.S. shares advanced on Tuesday with the benchmark index Standard & Poor's 500 closing at its new record high after a government report showed that consumer confidence in the country increased and as the Fed officials committed to support the local economy. The S&P 500 added as much as 0.6% to 1,911.91 and the Dow Jones industrial average gained 0.42%.
Asian equities increased on Wednesday trading session with the benchmark stock index reaching the highest level in one year as risk appetite of investors rose after the U.S. stock index Standard & Poor's 500 reached another record high on favourable data. The MSCI Asia-Pacific gauge outside Japan added 0.6% to 490.15, the most in a year.
Corn declined on Tuesday falling towards the lowest level in nearly two months amid speculation that planting was accelerated by farmers as warm and dry weather hit the U.S., the world's largest exporter of the commodity. Corn for delivery in July lost 1.5% to $4.7075 per bushel on the CBOT and was last seen at $4.7125 by 2:23 p.m. Singapore
The European benchmark Brent crude advanced on Tuesday session rebounding from the weakest level in a four-day period on speculation that tension between Ukraine and the Russian Federation may threaten supplies to Europe. Brent for delivery in July jumped 48 cents to a level of $110.80 per barrel on the London's ICE Futures Europe exchange.
Gold futures slipped on Tuesday trading session falling towards the weakest level nearly in a week as traders speculate whether the recent result of Ukraine's presidential election may ease tension with the Russian Federation. Bullion for settlement in May dropped 0.6% to $1,285.50 an ounce, the least since May 21, and it was last seen at $1,286.94 by 2:24 p.m.
The majority of European shares fluctuated on Tuesday trading session after the benchmark stocks index jumped to the highest level in six years before a report showed that consumer sentiment in the U.S. improved and durable-goods orders dropped. The Stoxx Europe 600 gauge climbed as much as 0.1% to 344.11 by 8:07 a.m. London time.
Service sector sentiment in the United Kingdom improved in the first three months of this year rising at the fastest rate since the beginning of records in 1998, the latest survey published by the Confederation f British Industry unveiled on Tuesday. However, the survey also showed that companies are struggling to hire skilled stuff.
Confidence among consumers in Finland advanced notably in May after recording a notable drop in the previous month, the latest survey published by the Statistics Finland unveiled on Tuesday. According to the report, the country's consumer confidence index jumped from 3.7 in April to 8.7 points posted in May, while in March it rose to 8.5 points.
Trade balance in Switzerland came in a surplus in April with the result exceeded economists' expectations as imports dropped and exports advanced from March, a report published by the Swiss federal Customs Administration unveiled on Tuesday. According to the report, the country's trade surplus increased from CHF 1.99 billion to CHF 2.43 billion in April.
Confidence among French households stayed unchanged in the month of April matching economists' expectations, the latest report published by the statistical office INSEE showed on Tuesday. According to the report, the France's confidence index recorded 85 points in May, while the index measuring households' opinion over their financial situation gained by 5 points to a level of -23 in April.
Consumer sentiment in South Korea dropped on a sequential basis in May, the latest report unveiled by the Bank of Korea showed on Tuesday. According to the report, the country's consumer sentiment index slipped from 108 points recorded in April to a level of 105 in the following month, while the current living standards index fell by 2 points to
Japan's corporate service prices increased on an annual basis in April as prices for leasing, transportation, communication, motor vehicle and engineering repair advanced on the month, the latest data published by the Bank of Japan showed on Tuesday. The country's corporate service prices added 3.4% in April after gaining 0.7% in March.
Business confidence in Japan slightly increased in the month of May following a month of notable decline, however the manufacturing sector sentiment slipped in May, a report released by the Shoko Chukin Bank showed on Tuesday. The country's sentiment among small and medium size businesses gained from 45.4 points in April to 46.6 in the following month.
Japanese stocks increased on Tuesday after the region's benchmark stock index Nikkei 225 average recorded the strongest level in four weeks on Monday extending its streak of gain to three days as U.S. housing data lifted Wall Street shares. The Nikkei 225 added as much as 0.7% to 14,559.43 following an advanced to 14,592.60, the most since April 22.
The U.S. Dollar slipped further versus the Euro on Tuesday with the U.S. Dollar index measuring its performance against the most traded peers extending its drop after recording the lowest level in seven weeks on Friday. The U.S. Dollar index slipped from 80.443 to 80.233 today, while the greenback traded below 102.00 level versus yen.
The euro-area currency strengthened slightly earlier on Tuesday trading session after the European Central Bank President signaled last night that the bank may ease its monetary policy on the next policy meeting as the region's economy struggles. The Euro was last traded at $1.3658, up from its 3-month low at $1.3615 hit yesterday, while it gained 0.2% to 139.26 yen.
The majority of Asian shares dropped on Tuesday erasing previous session's increase after the European Central Bank President Marie Draghi raised concerns with his overnight comments that the bank may add stimulus sooner than expected. The MSCI Asia-Pacific gauge outside Japan slipped as much as 0.1% after gaining to the highest level in a year yesterday.
The trade surplus of New Zealand dropped in April of the current year, as exports decreased much more than imports amid fall in shipments on meat and dairy products. The positive balance reached $534 million last month after a $935 surplus im March. Exports showed a significant 11% decline in April, while imports slipped only 4%. However, on the annual
Consumer confidence in Germany will see no changes in June of this year, being on the highest level in 7 years. The corresponding index from the research company GfK stayed unchanged at 8.5 points. The result matched analysts' predictions. The report says that consumer confidence in the largest economy of the Eurozone will remain on a quite high and stable
Economic growth in Denmark will accelerate the next year, as the government of the country raised its expectations concerning GDP growth. As predicted, consumer spending will increase more than forecasted, by 2% instead of 1.6%. The economy will most likely add 2%, up from a 1.9% previous outlook. Moreover, the investment and loosing fiscal policy will contribute to growth even
European equities increase in price on Monday, as analysts are waiting for the ECB President Mario Draghi speech yoday. On Sunday, the ECB opened a first open forum for academics and policy makers in Lisbon. The benchmark Europe Stoxx 600 Index added 0.3% to 342.73 points by 7:00 GMT London, while this week is becoming the sixth consecutive in terms