Consumer price inflation in Canada advanced in the month of February led by an increase of prices in transportation sector, a data unveiled by the Statistics Canada showed on Wednesday. The data said that the Consumer Price Index accelerated by 1.2% on an annual basis in February after it jumped 0.5% the month before, while on a sequential basis the
German stocks are trading lower on Wednesday despite positive data from the domestic economy. Only five out of 30 companies included in the gauge posted gains and one out of nine industries moved higher. The DAX retreated 1.3%, or 95.27 points, to 7,779. Fresenius SE & Co KGaA, a medical equipment company, surged 1.2% to EUR97.97, pushing the health care
U.K. equities declined on Wednesday as investors were looking for news from U.S. housing market. The FTSE 100 Index lost 0.6%, or 33.16 points, to 6,360.54, close to its highest value since 2008. Only two out of ten industries included in the index increased. Basic materials and health care industries added 0.5% and 0.3%, respectively. TUI Travel Plc surged 2.8%
Hong Kong shares rose on Wednesday on upbeat numbers from the U.S.. The U.S. home prices advanced the most since 2006, while durable goods orders climbed more-than-expected last month. The Hang Seng Index increased for a third consecutive day, adding 0.7%, or 153.74 points, to 22,464.82. All sectors included in the gauge posted gains, with industrials and consumer services soaring
Italian government bonds declined on Wednesday amid rising yields on a debt auction and Democratic Party leader comments about inability to form a broad coalition. The yield on benchmark 10-year bonds added 16 basis points, reaching a level of 4.73% by 10:45 a.m. in London. Earlier, yields reached 4.74%, which was the highest level since March 18.
On Wednesday, gold prices declined for the fourth consecutive day, following optimistic signs about the US economy, which curbed the demand for the precious metal. Sport gold prices declined by 0.3% to trade at $1,594.84 per troy ounce at 9:38 a.m. London time, while June delivery futures lost 0.1% and were traded at $1,595 on the Comex.
Statistics Portugal revealed on Wednesday that the country's economic sentiment increased for the third month in a row. The index of economic confidence grew to minus 3.9 in March compared to a reading of minus 4.1 in the preceding month. The January's reading was minus 4.3 points.
The statistical office Istat revealed on Wednesday that Italian retail sales decreased for the seventh month in a row. Year-over-year, retail sales experienced a 3% fall in January compared to a reading of minus 3.4% in the preceding month. The January's decline was in line with economists' forecasts. Month-over-month, retail sales lost 0.5%.
A survey by the European Commission reported on Wednesday that Eurozone economic confidence declined in March. The decrease was driven by declines in all sectors of business. Consumer confidence, however, remained widely stable. The index of economic sentiment declined to 90 from 91.1 in preceding month below expectations of 90.5.
Japanese shares inched up in choppy session on Wednesday as buyers of many shares were no longer eligible to get this year's dividends. Tuesday was the deadline for share-buyers to be able to get dividends for this financial year. At the same time, Japan's equities found support on the strong performance of the US stock market. The Nikkei 225 Index
US blue chips rallied on Tuesday amid optimism over the US economy and improved market sentiment after Cyprus reached an agreement with its international lenders. US home prices rose last month, while durable goods orders came better-than-expected last. However, the upswing was limited as US new home sales and consumer confidence declined more than forecast. The Dow Jones Industrial Average
The Wall Street closed in green area on Tuesday following positive headlines from the US real estate and manufacturing sectors. The overall durable goods orders climbed 5.7% in February compared to a forecast of a 3.8% increase. Meanwhile, home prices continued to improve last month. Adding to gains, US equities drew strength from eased worries over Cyprus bailout. The S&P
The Federal Statistical Office reported on Wednesday that German import prices fell last month, which was a second decrease in a row. Year-over-year, import prices declined by 1.6 in February, which was a steeper decline than the January's reading of minus 0.8%. Month-over-month, import prices added 0.3% in February, compared to a gain of 0.1% in January.
An inquiry by GfK revealed on Wednesday that confidence of German consumers remained unchanged in April. The April reading of consumer confidence index stayed at 5.9, which was the same as in March. The index of economics expectations, however, added 3.1 points, which was a growth for the third consecutive month.
The 17-nation currency is decreasing against its major counterpart over the next 2 ½ years as the Eurozone's policy is weakening the currency in order to boost the economic performance, according to Morgan Stanley, when the Euro has dropped 2.6% against the U.S. dollar this year. The sharred currency was little changed at $1.2855 on Wednesday after falling to its
The statistical office Insee reported on Wednesday that the French economy fell by 0.3% in the last quarter of 2012, which was in line with the initial estimate. The figure for the preceding quarter was minus 0.2%. Year-over-year, French gross domestic product remained unchanged, following a 1.7% growth in 2011.
The statistical office INE revealed on Wednesday that Spanish EU harmonized inflation declined to 2.6% this month, compared to a figure of 2.9% in February. Economists expected a reading of 2.7%. Retail sales dropped 10.6% on a yearly basis, which exceeded an anticipated level of 10% decline.
Statistics Sweden revealed on Wednesday that Swedish retail sales grew faster in February, exceeding the rate of growth expected by the analysts. Year-over-year, retail sales experienced a working-day adjusted growth of 3.5%, which was significantly faster than a revised down figure of 1.8% for the preceding month.
The Office for National Statistics reported on Wednesday that the British economy lost 0.3% during the last quarter of the last year, which was unrevised from the first estimate. The contraction followed a growth of 0.9% in the preceding quarter and decrease of 0.4% in Q2. The ONS comments that the decline was a ‘fall-back' effect after the Olympics.
The so-called Loonie advanced for the fifth successive day against U.S. Dollar and most of its counterparts after a report showed that oil, the nation's largest export, recorded the highest level in one month increasing the demand for the currency. The Canadian Dollar appreciated 0.5% to C$1.0161 per U.S. Dollar, while one Canadian Dollar was 98.42 U.S. cents.
The Japanese currency declined versus majority of its counterparts on Wednesday after investors turned their expectations to further stimulus measures by the Bank of Japan's Governor Haruhiko Kuroda in order to fight low inflation in the country. The Yen depreciated 0.3% to 94.71 per U.S. Dollar earlier on Wednesday London session after it slipped 0.3% yesterday.
Emergin-market shares advanced for the third consecutive day on Wednesday mainly due to an improvement of financial copanies after Chinese banks showed favorable results in bad-loan ratios and as U.S. data showed an increase of durable goods orders yesterday. The MSCI Emerging Market Index added 0.3% to 1,031.22 recording its highest closing level since March 15
West Texas Intermediate oil was little changed on Wednesday traded close to its highest level in five weeks after a report said that durable goods orders and house prices advanced in the world's biggest consumer of the commodity. May WTI futures went down by 19 cents to $96.15 a barrel on NYMEX after it rose $1.53 to $96.34 yesterday.
Rural commodities were mixed on Tuesday ahead of the USDA supply report due on March 28. Logistics problems in Brazil as well as unfavorable weather in Argentina and US Great Plains also were supportive for farm commodities. However, talks over bumper Brazilian crops pushed the commodity sector lower. Wheat advanced despite speculation that investors are closing bets ahead of the USDA