Japanese exports climbed the most in three years, supporting nation's Prime Minister Abe's policies and his plan for economic recovery. Exports rose 12.2% compared to previous year after a 7.4% advance in June, while imports surged 19.6%, according to Ministry of Finance. The increase in exports indicates on Japan's economy benefiting from Europe's recovery.
The Sterling appreciated 0.2% versus the greenback, after the CBI updated this year's expansion estimates for the U.K. economy from 1% in May to 1.2%. The Britain's currency added 0.21% to $1.5655 against the U.S. Dollar and gained 0.10% to £0.8514 against the common currency, and climbed 0.41% to 153.03 versus the Yen.
European shares declined with investors expecting the Federal Reserve's minutes due later this week for more signs about the future of the bond purchases. The European Stoxx 50 declined 0.43% to 2,841.98 and the German DAX dropped 0.37% to 8,361.04, while the French CAC 40 slipped 0.47% to 4,104.42 and the U.K. FTSE 100 decreased 0.14% to 6,491.30.
The Yen declined to the session low against the greenback, as the Japanese Ministry of Finance announced an increasing difference in value between imported and exported goods. Afterward, the Yen rose amid the news of increasing exports, the most in over three years, touching ¥97.34 versus the Dollar. The Yen fell 0.07% to ¥97.63 versus the Dollar and slipped 0.14%
Canadian shares climbed, making it the biggest one-week rise for the benchmark index in a month, as energy producers gained on Egypt's internal conflicts. The Standard & Poor's/TSX Composite Index added 0.3% to 12,736.92 as of 4 p.m. Toronto time and the index increased 1.6% weekly. Energy shares rose 0.7% and its trading volume picked up 7.6% compared to the
West Texas Intermediate crude oil fluctuated between gains and losses, heading towards a two-week high. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. increased its price expectations for Brent, citing stockpile disruptions in Libya and Iraq. The September WTI contract decreased to $107.27 per barrel. Brent for October delivery dropped to $110.26 per barrel.
U.K. shares fell, prolonging the FTSE 100 Index streak of losses, as mining companies retreated, before the release of the FOMC last meeting minutes. The FTSE 100 dropped 0.3% to 6,480.76 as of 8:42 a.m. London time and the index decreased 1.3% past week. The FTSE All-Share Index slid 0.2% today, while Ireland's ISEQ Index added 0.3%.
German government bunds declined ahead of the Euro block service and manufacturing report this week that analysts said will boost the case the region's economy is expanding momentum. German 10-year bond yield advanced four basis points to 1.92% and the 1.5% note maturing in May 2023 decreased 0.3 to 96.335.
Asian shares outside Japan declined for the third day after a slip in emerging markets pushed the regional equities gauge to the lowest level in a week. Japanese Topix index advanced on low trading volumes. The MSCI Asia Pacific excluding Japan Index dropped 0.5% to 444.71. Japanese Topix index jumped 0.6%, adding to signs the index gained 34% this year.
Gold bullish and bearish bets were cut simultaneously for the first time in eight weeks as its prices rose reaching two-month high on signs that metal's demand is improving. Yellow metal's price surged 4.5% to $1,371 an ounce on the Comex previous week, the biggest advance in more than a month. However, the commodity has fallen 23% during the past
Eurozone's currency traded 0.4% from the highest level in a week versus its U.S. counterpart ahead of German economic data that will brighten the outlook. The Euro traded at $1.3323 by 6:38 a.m. London time, after it was at $1.3329 at the previous week's close, when it reached $1.3380. The 17-nation currency bought 130.06 Yen, while the greenback gained 0.1%
The Australian currency appreciated to the highest level in three weeks on bets that minutes from the nation's central bank meeting will indicate on that officials do not want to cut its benchmark interest rate at the closest time. The Aussie added 0.2% to 92.06 U.S. cents at 5:06 p.m. Sydney time, after reaching 92.33, the highest in more than
The Sterling remained steady versus the U.S. Dollar and the Euro after and industry data indicated U.K. house prices declined in August. The Britain's currency was at $1.5611 and remained flat at 85.30 pence against the common currency. Home prices decreased 1.8% in August, adding to signs prices are still 5.5% higher in the last year.
Asian shares retreated as investors choose safer assets after an surprising decline in U.S. unemployment data fueled boosted concerns that the Fed will start tapering following month. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index slipped 0.4% to 134.37 at the close; however, the equity-benchmark advanced 0.4% weekly. China's Shanghai Composite slid 0.6%, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index dropped 0.1%.
European shares hovered, with the Stoxx Europe 600 Index falling the most in over five weeks yesterday, while investors expect data on the U.S. housing market. The Stoxx 600 declined 0.1% to 305.07, following earlier fluctuations between gains and losses. Economists expect that the U.S. housing starts advanced to 900,000 in July on a yearly basis.
The Aussie is headed for a one-week fall before the release of Reserve Bank minutes from August 6 meeting following week amid bets that the officials will give further information on interest rates. Australia's currency slipped 0.1% to 91.35 U.S. cents at 10:14 a.m. Sydney time, prolonging its fall since August 9 to 0.8%, while the New Zealand Dollar was
The Loonie appreciated the most weekly on bets that the Fed will start tapering its stimulus in September. The Canadian currency rose 0.4% to C$1.0306 per U.S. Dollar as of 5 p.m. Toronto time, it fell to C$1.0364 earlier after reaching C$1.0370 on Thursday, the lowest level since August 8. The Canadian Dollar climbed versus 10 out of 16 major
The U.S. Dollar is headed for its biggest one-week rise in four weeks against the Japanese Yen with U.S. 10-year note yields at the highest level in two years. The greenback gained 0.2% to 97.56 Yen at 6:46 a.m. London time, making it a 1.4% climb weekly, while it traded at $1.3342 per Euro from Thursday and from $1.3342 at
The yellow metal traded higher and almost reached the highest level in approximately seven weeks as investors speculated on better demand versus prospects after the Fed will start to scale back its stimulus. Gold price declined 0.1% to $1,364.60 an ounce at 9:19 a.m. London time, after it touched $1,372.97, the highest level since June 19 and gained 3.8% weekly.
German government bunds remained steady ahead of data analysts said will indicate consumer-price inflation in the Euro block stayed under the European Central Bank's 2% ceiling for the sixth month in July. The 10-yea bond yielded 1.88% and the price of the 1.5% note maturing in May 2023 was 96.64, adding to signs German bunds fell 2.4% this year.
The British currency is headed for a weekly gain for the second week in a row against the greenback and the common currency after reports that fueled speculation on nation's economic recovery. The Sterling slipped 0.1% to $1.5626 as of 7:39 a.m. in London after strengthening to $1.5652 on Thursday, while it traded 85.35 pence per Euro after touching 85.05
The U.S. Dollar appreciated against the Euro following an optimistic weekly data on U.S. jobless claims. The Dollar fell 0.33% to $1.3297 versus the Euro and slipped 0.13% to 1.0326 versus the Canada's Dollar, at the same time the currency declined 0.55% to $1.5585 versus the Pound, and was steady at 98.10 against the Japanese Yen.
European shares declined from the highest level in 12 weeks as the Zurich Insurance Group and the Hennes & Mauritz slipped on posting disappointing data. Zurich Insurance dropped 3.3%after releasing second-quarter net earnings of $789 million, and H&M plummeted 1.1%. The Stoxx Europe 600 Index decreased 0.5% to 306.98.
Japanese stocks declined, with the Topix index snapping a two day winning streak, as exporters fell after the Japanese currency appreciated and on expectations that the Fed will start to scale back its stimulus in September. The Topix fell 1.7% to 1,151.82 at the Tokyo's close; however, the equity-benchmark has advanced 3.2% in the last two sessions, while the Nikkei