The Australian Dollar and its New Zealand counterpart did appreciate the most among the ten most-traded currencies on optimism on nations' economies. The Aussie was at 92.62 U.S. cents at 6:54 a.m. London time, after climbing to 92.59 on Thursday, making it five straight days of gains. The Kiwi added 0.1% to 86.84 U.S. cents, after approaching 86.97, the highest
The 18-nation currency slid for a fourth straight day versus the greenback on a report that indicated consumer-price inflation unexpectedly falling in Spain. The Euro slipped 0.2% to $1.3715 as of 8:47 a.m. in London, after depreciating to $1.3706, the weakest level since February 28. The shared currency dropped 0.2% to 140.09 Japanese Yen.
Italian government notes increased on Thursday with the benchmark 10-year yields falling towards the weakest level in almost nine years on speculation that the European Central Bank may add more stimulus into financial system. Italy's 10-year bonds yielded four basis points lower at 3.30% as of 12:37 p.m. in London following a slip to 3.29%, the least since September 2005.
The British Sterling jumped on Thursday rising for the fourth straight session against the U.S. Dollar after a government report showed that retail sales in the United Kingdom advanced notably last month exceeding projections of experts. The Pound rose as much as 0.3% to $1.6629 as of 11:06 a.m. London time following a gain by 0.6% from the beginning of
German shares dropped on Thursday trading session after rising by the most in a two-day period since September 2013 after upbeat economic data from the U.S. showed an improvement in overall situation boosting demand for U.S. shares. The benchmark index DAX slipped 0.3% to 9,425.27 as of 1:40 p.m. Frankfurt time exceeding the monthly decline to 2.7%.
U.K. shares decreased on Thursday trading session falling from the highest level in two weeks after the U.S. Federal Reserve stress-tested British subsidiaries of Royal Bank of Scotland Group Plc. The benchmark stock index FTSE 100 dropped as much as 40.85 points to 6,564.45 as of 12:51 p.m. London time extending its declined to 4.4% from February 24.
The European benchmark Brent crude traded in London advanced on Thursday on continued strikes in Libyan oil fields and as reports from the U.S. showed an improvement in labour market with jobless claims falling last week. Brent for delivery in May jumped as much 60 cents to $107.63 per barrel on the London's ICE Futures Europe exchange.
West Texas Intermediate crude increased on Thursday trading session rising towards the strongest level in a two-week period as inventories in the main oil storage hub in the U.S. dropped. WTI for settlement in May advanced 94 cents to $101.20 per barrel on the NYMEX, the most since March 11, and it was last seen at $101.07 as of 12:32
M3 money supply in the 18-nation bloc increased in the month of February matching economists' estimates, however private sector lending continued its downward trend, a report released by the European Central Bank showed on Thursday. The Eurozone's monetary aggregate M3 climbed on an annual basis by 1.3% in February after rising 1.2% in the month before.
Business confidence in Italy increased in March advancing for the second successive month and reaching the strongest level in almost three years, a report released by the statistical office Istat showed on Thursday. The country's manufacturing confidence gauge added from February's level of 99.1 points to 99.2 in the following month.
Initial claim for unemployment benefits in the U.S. surprisingly advanced in the week ended on March 22, the latest report published by the Labor Department unveiled on Thursday. According to the report, the country's first-time jobless claims slipped by 10,000 from 321,000 to 311,000, while they were projected to rise to 321,000.
The gross domestic product in the world's largest economy increased in the last three months of 2013 rising by more than previously estimated, the latest data released by the Commerce department showed on Thursday. According to the report, the U.S. GDP accelerated by 2.6% in the Q4 after it was projected to gain 2.4%.
Retail sales in the United Kingdom increased in February rising at a faster rate than economists initially estimated as food stores turnover advanced on the month suggesting that consumer spending improved, the Office for National Statistics showed on Thursday. The U.K. retail sales gained 1.7% on a monthly basis in February after they dropped 2% in the month before.
The New Zealand's currency advanced notably against the U.S. Dollar on Thursday rising towards the highest level in almost four years after a government report showed that trade balance came in surplus exceeding economists' expectations. The so-called Kiwi was last traded near its 2 ½ year peak at $0.8675 as it increased by 1% on the day.
Global stocks remained mostly flat during the Thursday session with the European equities falling slightly on speculation that the European Central Bank may cut its benchmark interest rates soon as the economy struggles to recover. The MSCI global shares index traded flat on the day, while the European stocks index FTEU3.STOXX slipped 0.2%.
The euro-area currency declined on Thursday trading session falling against the U.S. Dollar together with falling bonds of peripheral European countries hitting the weakest levels in years on speculation that the ECB may lower interest rates sooner than forecast. The Euro dropped as much as 0.15% to $1.3759 and it fell towards the lowest level in three weeks versus the
Wall Street shares opened flat on Thursday trading session after economic data in the U.S. showed an improvement in overall situation, however investors stayed away from large bets amid ongoing geopolitical tension in Ukraine. Standard & Poor's 500 futures gained 0.8%, Dow Jones industrial average futures rose 18 points and the Nasdaq futures added 0.5 point.
U.S. Treasuries increased on Wednesday rising by the most in nearly two weeks as demand for the safe-haven five-year government notes boosted in today's auction on continued geopolitical tension in Ukraine. The benchmark 10-year government bonds yielded five basis points lower at 2.70% by 3:44 p.m. New York time, the largest fall since March 13.
The European benchmark Brent crude slightly declined on Wednesday trading session with the WTI-Brent spread narrowing as stockpiles in Cushing, Oklahoma, slipped to the lowest level in two years and motor vehicle orders jumped 3.6% in February. Brent for delivery in May slipped 2 cents to $106.97 per barrel on the London's ICE Futures Europe exchange.
West Texas Intermediate crude increased on Wednesday trading session after an industry report showed that inventories in Oklahoma's Cushing declined towards the weakest level in eight weeks and as automobile demand advanced by the most in 12 months. WTI for settlement in May gained as much as 63 cents to $99.82 per barrel as od 10:36 a.m. pm the NYMEX.
Consumer confidence in Italy increased in March rising towards the highest level measured since June 2011, a report released by the statistical office Istat showed on Wednesday. According to the report, the Italian consumer confidence index advanced from February's level of 97.7 points to 101.7 points in March, while it was originally seen to be rising to 98.4.
A leading index of economic activity in the euro-area increased in February signalling that the recent recession in the region may have come to an end, however the growth should remain modest, a report released by the Conference Board showed on Wednesday. According to the report, the Eurozone's leading economic index added 0.1% in February after rising by 1.4% in
The gross domestic product of the Russian economy may slip into a notable contraction this year and possibly the next one as the geopolitical tension with its neighbouring Ukraine worsen, the World Bank said on Wednesday. The bank predicts a scenario where the Russian GDP slows to 1.1% this year with a modest pick-up in the following year to 1.3%.
Industrial production in Singapore increased significantly in February rising by double-digit figure and by much more than initially estimated, a report published by the Economic Development Board unveiled on Wednesday. According to the report, Singapore's industrial output gained 12.8% in February after jumping by 4.4% in the month before.