All industry activity index in the Asia's second largest economy recovered in the month of November matching economists' initial projections, the latest data revealed by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry showed on Wednesday. The Japanese all industry activity indicator gained 0.3% on a sequential basis in November after falling 0.4% in the prior month.
A leading index of economic activity in Japan advanced for the third consecutive month in November rising above economists' projections, a report revealed by the Cabinet Office showed on Wednesday. According to the report, the country's leading economic index added from October's level of 109.8 to 111.1 recorded in the following month, while in September the reading was 109.1.
U.S. equities closed higher on Tuesday session with the benchmark index Standard & Poor's 500 snapping its two-day series of drops as materials sector companies advanced, however the Dow Jones slipped as companies reported earnings. The S&P 500 Index added 0.28% to 1,843.80, the Dow Jones industrial average fell 0.27% to 16,414.44 and the Nasdaq Composite index surged 0.67% to
The Australia's currency advanced on Wednesday rising against its U.S. counterpart after a government report showed that the country's inflation increased notable easing speculation that the Reserve Back may cut interest rates further. The so-called Aussie added 0.7% to $0.8863 following a gain to $0.8873 after trading near the lowest level in more than three years at $0.8756.
European shares increased on Wednesday together with Asian markets before a government report showed that unemployment in the United Kingdom declined in November to a level of 7.3% and as jobless claims are forecast to drop by 32,000 in December. The Euro Stoxx 50 Index jumped as much as 0.4% by 7:34 a.m. London time.
The U.S. Dollar swung between gains and losses on Wednesday after it reached its strongest level in a week against the Japanese Yen yesterday and declined after the Bank of Japan announced more monetary easing as the inflation eases. The so-called Greenback rose 0.1% to 104.42 yen and traded at 103.97 after the BoJ revealed its stimulus plans, while it
Asian equities slightly advanced on Wednesday trading session led by China's stocks after the People's Bank of China injected funds into the country's financial system easing a possible credit strains as the lunar new year approaches. The MSCI broadest Asia-Pacific gauge outside Japan added 0.2% as the CSI300 Index gained 2.3% to the most since January 9.
On Tuesday, the IMF announced an increase of its global economic growth forecast for the current year, as the U.K., U.S. and other developed economies rise more than expected before. Therefore, the global growth for 2014 is now projected at 3.7% versus the previous forecast of 3.6%. U.S. economy will expand 2.8% this year, Japanese GDP will add 1.7%, while
U.K. shares were little changed, with the regional benchmark FTSE 100 Index set for its 14 year high, as Unilever's sales growth topped analysts' estimates. The FTSE 100 Index rose 0.1% to 6,853.72 as of 8:46 a.m. London time and this would be the highest close in 14 years. The FTSE All-Share Index added 0.1%, while Ireland's ISEQ Index jumped
U.S. shares gained as the International Monetary Fund increased its global growth estimate and as corporate earnings topped analysts' expectations. The Standard & Poor's 500 added 0.4% to 1,846.88 as of 10:09 a.m. New York time, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed less than 0.1% to 16,460.12. Equity trading restarted today after yesterday's national holiday.
Canada's currency depreciated to C$1.10 for the first time in approximately four years on bets that the Fed will slow its bond-buying programme. The Canadian Dollar fell 0.2% to C$1.0968 per U.S. Dollar as of 9:27 a.m. Toronto time, after it approached C$1.1019, the lowest level since September 4, 2009. The Loonie reversed declines after Canadian factory sales grew 1%
The British currency rose against the greenback, before Wednesday's jobs data and latest monetary policy minutes release from nation's central bank. The Sterling gained 0.2% to $1.6463 against the U.S. Dollar as of 9:49 a.m. EST, while it climbed 0.3% to 0.8222 versus Eurozone's currency and depreciated 0.5% to 171.94 versus the Japanese Yen.
Gold dropped from a six-week high due to investors' evaluation of rally's impact on demand when the Dollar appreciated. The futures of gold for immediate delivery fell 0.2% to $1,252.82 an ounce at 9:49 a.m. after reaching $1,265.35 yesterday, the strongest level in six months. Gold's 12-year appreciation ended in 2013, when the Fed decided to reduce its unprecedented monetary stimulus, forcing a rally in
U.S. stock-index futures rose as the equity markets open after a national holiday and as investors speculate on earnings data from major companies. Standard & Poor's 500 Index futures expiring in March added 0.3% to 1,840 as of 7:40 a.m. New York time, while contracts on the Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 0.4% to 16,461 today.
German shares advanced to a record high after the People Bank of China pumped fund to the financial system. The DAX Index climbed 0.4% to 9,757.06 as of 12:23 p.m. Frankfurt time, increasing above index record high close of 9,742.96 last week and the equity-benchmark rallied 25% in 2013. The HDAX Index added 0.4% today.
European shares gained to a six-year high, as Unilever led food and beverage producers higher. The Stoxx Europe 600 Index added 0.3% to 336.56 as of 11 a.m. London time, making it the highest level in approximately six years. It is expected that the profits among Stoxx 600 companies will raise 13.4% on average in 2014, after 5.3% decline last
Unilever NV, the Anglo-Dutch multinational consumer goods company, reported on Tuesday an increase in fourth-quarter sales, beating economists' forecasts, while the emerging markets continues to rebound. Revenue rose 4.1%, as the quantity of products sold added 2.7%. Today, Unilever NV equities are surging 3.85% to 29.95 euro per share by 11:40 GMT in Amsterdam.
The kiwi continues to gain since yesterday's report showed inflation progressing and pushing the case for the central bank to increase interest rates. New Zealand's currency added versus most of its major currencies, due to the stocks rise and Chinese money-market rates rollback, and changed only at 83.26 U.S. cents at 5:13 p.m. after hitting 0.9% yesterday in Sydney. Interest rate swap amount in New Zealand
Investor confidence in Germany unexpectedly decreased in January of this year for the first time since July, pointing on the moderate perspectives of country's economy. The ZEW economic sentiment index dropped to 61.7 points in January versus 62 points a month ago, while economists predicted a rise to 64 points. The Index aims to forecast the economic development for next
The government of Sweden may change already in September of this year, as parliamentary elections approach. Despite the significant decrease in taxes, the current conservative government has not enough support to win the elections. Since 2006, they managed to keep the budget deficit lower than 3% of GDP, however, the jobless rate of 8% is the highest in Scandinavia.
Alstom SA, the largest French producer of power equipment and trains, announced cuts of a forecast concerning the operating profit margin for the current year, as sales of power equipment drop. Now, Alstom expects the operating profit to be 7% from sales, while the previous forecast was 7.2%. Based on these news, Alstom SA shares are today plunging 11.4% to
Consumer price index in Hong Kong remained unchanged in December of the previous year, comparing with a month before, as the result matched analysts' predictions at 4.3% on the annual basis. Meanwhile, in October-December quarter inflation reached 1.1%. The CPI was mostly affected by a 4.1% increase in food prices, while housing costs added 5.9% and transportation became 2.6% more
European shares advanced on Tuesday trading session with the benchmark index Europe Stoxx 600 rising after reaching its six-year peak as the People's Bank of China injected funds to the local financial system. Euro Stoxx 50 Index futures expiring in March jumped 0.5% to 3,166 as of 7:15 a.m. London time, while the FTSE 100 Index added 0.4%.
Natural gas traded in New York declined on Tuesday trading session falling for the second straight day after the trading floor was closed yesterday due to a national holiday of Martin Luther King Jr. Natural gas for February settlement dropped 2.8% to $4.203 a million British thermal units on the NYMEX and were last seen at $4.313 as of 3:30