The economic growth in the United States jumped to 3.6% in the July-September quarter of the current year, as the latest report showed a significant surge in inventories. They climbed 1.9% in the last quarter. At the same time, the consumer spending in the country declined. Economists forecasted the U.S. economy to add 3.1% in Q3, while the initial report
The confidence level among American consumers jumped to its largest level since October during the last week, as the benchmark Bloomberg indicator rose to -31.3 points, while the previous value was -33.7 points. Therefore, losses made by the U.S. government Shutdown were almost fully erased. Moreover, the consumer confidence during the Thanksgiving week this year is the biggest since 2007.
U.S. jobless claims dropped surprisingly past week to more than a two-month low as it gets harder to adapt for seasonal variations. Unemployment claims fell to 298,000 in the previous week that ended November 30, according to Labor Department; however, economists predicted a rise to 320,000. This reading is the lowest in almost three months.
The European Central Bank left its benchmark lending rate unchanged at its record low as they kept the refinancing rate at 0.25%, deposit rate at zero and the lending rate at 0.75%. The inflation and growth forecasts will be released later today at a press conference held by Mario Draghi. Officials stated that there is nothing to panic about in
UK Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne stated that nation's economy will grow 1.4% this year, upgraded from the 0.6% forecasted in March, making it the first growth-forecast raise in three years. Later today the Bank of England will have a policy meeting; however, economists expect that the lawmakers will keep the benchmark interest rate at its record low.
U.S. stock-index futures were little changed as investors speculated on when the Fed will start tapering and as equities declined for a fourth straight day. S&P 500 Index futures expiring this month gained less than 0.1% to 1,792.1 as of 10:12 a.m. London time; however, the gauge has jumped 26% this year. Dow Jones Industrial Average contracts fell less than
Gold dropped in London as investors speculated on the Federal Reserve tapering before tomorrow's unemployment data release. The Yellow metal for immediate delivery declined 0.5% to $1,237.09 an ounce as of 8:09 a.m. London time, after its prices jumped 1.7% on Wednesday, the most since October 22. Bullion for February delivery fell 0.9% to $1,236.20 in New York.
The Canadian Dollar weakened on Thursday falling to the lowest level in a three-year period after the Bank of Canada Governor Stephen Poloz signaled the central bank may lower benchmark interest rates as the country's inflation eases. The so-called Loonie declined 0.3% to C$1.0684 per U.S. Dollar as of 5 p.m. Toronto time following a drop to the weakest level
The Australian currency was 0.4% from the lowest level in three months ahead of data that are expected to show that Australia's trade deficit widened. The Australian Dollar was little changed at 90.36 U.S. cents at 11:05 a.m. Sydney time, after it reached 89.99 on Wednesday, the lowest level since September 3. The Kiwi gained 0.2% to 82.17 U.S. cents,
The British currency declined for a third straight day against Eurozone's currency ahead of the interest-rate decision from the Bank of England, economists expect that officials will keep interest rates unchanged. The Sterling fell 0.1% to 83.09 pence per Euro as of 7:35 a.m. London time, after sliding 0.2% in the last two days. The Pound added 0.1% to $1.6398
Shares in Switzerland were little changed, after falling the most in two days since September, ahead of the European Central Bank and the Bank of England policy meetings. The Swiss Market Index dropped less than 0.1% to 8,045.37 as of 9:45 a.m. Zurich time; however, the gauge has advanced 18% this year to date. The Swiss Performance Index fell less
European shares were little changed, reversing earlier losses, ahead of policy meetings from the European Central Bank and the Bank of England. The Stoxx Europe 600 Index retreated less than 0.1% to 317 as of 8:44 a.m. London time; however, the gauge has added 13% this year to date. Standard & Poor's 500 Index futures slid less than 0.1%, while
The Japanese yen appreciated for a third consecutive day versus the greenback and the 17-nation currency as equities declined, increasing demand for Japan's currency. The Yen gained 0.3% to 102.05 per Dollar at 8:59 a.m. in London, after strengthening 0.6% in the past two days, while it climbed 0.2% to 138.85 per Euro. The Euro added 0.1% to $1.3613 after
India's currency jumped on Thursday rising to the strongest level in five weeks together with an increase of local stocks and government bonds after results from exit polls showed that the country's main opposition party may win state elections next year. The Rupee added 0.7% to 61.6200 per U.S. Dollar by 10:29 a.m. Mumbai time after it touched the highest
U.S. Treasuries declined on Thursday falling to the cheapest level since September amid speculation that tomorrow's labour market report may show that U.S employers added more jobs than originally expected. The 10-year benchmark government bonds were little changed yielded at 2.84% as of 1:39 p.m. Tokyo time and are expected to rise to 3.25 in the Q1 of 2014.
German government bunds fluctuated on Thursday before the European Central Bank's officials meet in order to discuss its monetary policy expected to maintain the benchmark refinancing rate at 0.25%. The benchmark 10-year bunds yielded at 1.81% as of 9:23 a.m. in London following an increase yesterday to 1.82%, the most since October 22.
Japanese equities dropped on Thursday with the regional benchmark index Topis extending decline recorded yesterday, which was the largest in a month, as the nation's currency strengthened against the U.S. Dollar and investors weighed data from the U.S. The Topix slipped 0.6% to 1,233.68 at 2:03 p.m. Tokyo time following a 0.3% increase.
The majority of China's equities declined on Thursday following a rally of the local benchmark index to the strongest level in three months yesterday as phone companies decreased and consumer-discretionary shares advanced. The Shanghai Composite Index slid 0.1% to 2,250.11 by 1:09 p.m. following a 1.3% gain recorded yesterday.
The European benchmark Brent crude declined modestly on Thursday after a report showed that inventories in the U.S. declined and as the prices are forecast to exceed a level of $100 a barrel for the fourth straight year in 2014 on OECD's forecast of strong demand. Brent for settlement in January shed 24 cents to $111.64 a barrel on the
West Texas Intermediate crude increased on Thursday traded close to the strongest level in one month after an industry report showed that stockpiles in the U.S., the world's largest oil consumer, dropped for the first time in eleven weeks. WTI for delivery in January added 15 cents to $97.35 a barrel on the NYMEX as of 1:18 p.m. Singapore time.
The Eurozone's gross domestic product recorded a modest increase in the three months ended in September matching initial economists' expectations suggesting that the euro-area is not in a recession anymore. The GDP accelerated 0.1% on a sequential basis in the Q3 following an increase of 0.3% in the quarter before, while it expanded 0.4% year-on-year in the Q3.
Retail sales in the 17-nation bloc area declined for the second successive month in October mainly due to lower non-food sector sales, the statistical office Eurostat showed in a report on Wednesday. The Eurozone's retail sales volume fell on a sequential basis by 0.2% in October after falling 0.6% in the previous month, while the non-food sector retail sales slipped
Spanish government bond rating was affirmed by the Moody's Investors Service with an improvement of its outlook from ‘negative' to ‘stable' on better growth forecast and public finances, the rating agency showed in a report on Wednesday. According to the report, Spain's bond rating remained Baa3, the lowest rating ever since.
Merchandise trade balance in Australia came in deficit in the month of October, what is more, the shortfall exceeded economists' original expectations, a report released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics revealed on Thursday. According to the report, the country's merchandise trade deficit was A$529 million compared to an estimated level of A$350 million.