The U.S. Dollar weakened for a second day versus most of its major counterparts, falling 0.1% to $1.3062 versus the Euro on 7:28 a.m. in London. In New York the Dollar depreciated 0.2% to $1.3052. The greenback decreased by 0.2% versus the Japanese Yen. The Dollar Index contracted 0.1% to 81.990.
WTI oil futures for April settlement were lower by 14 cents to $90.29 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange during Singapore trading session on Thursday. Oil was traded close to a two-day low as data on the U.S. stockpiles increased five times more than analysts' estimation. Market prefers to sell oil, since it seems that demand is not likely to cover
The MSCI Emerging Markets Index dropped by 0.3% to 1,056.34 points by the mid-session in Hong Kong on Thursday. The index slipped from a two week-high leading by decrease in technology and consumer companies ahead of central bank meetings in Europe. Investors take a breath before news from Europe and Chinese trade data on Friday.
The Euro Stoxx 50 Index futures are higher by 0.1% to 2,682 points in very early London trading session on Thursday. European investors traded on the Fed comments that the U.S. economy grew and were waiting for central bank meetings in Europe. According to economists, the ECB will keep the key interest rate unchanged at 0.75% level.
U.S. equities edged higher on Wednesday, extending the Dow's highest level for a third consecutive day, as data showed firms added 198,000 workers the previous month, beating the analysts' estimates. In addition, Ben S. Bernanke, the Chairman of the Fed, said the nation's economy grew at a moderate pace on soaring consumer demand for houses and vehicles. The Dow Jones
The Dollar Index, constructed by Intercontinental Exchange Inc. to track the U.S. Dollar performance against the six U.S. partners, was higher by 0.2% to 82.472 points by midday in Tokyo on Thursday. Yesterday, the index reached 82.604 level, which is the highest point since 20th of August. The U.S. Dollar appreciates due to signs of improving domestic labour market and pressure to end monetary
The MSCI Asia Pacific Index was lower by 0.2% to 135.55 points by the midday in Tokyo on Tuesday trading session. The major region benchmark snapped last two-day gains, as Samsung announced investing to Sharp Corp. and Australia & New Zealand Banking Group said about plans to reduce jobs. However, the major Japanese stock index appreciated, as the Bank of
U.S. equities edged higher on Wednesday, as report showed companies hired more workers than expected and the Fed said the world's largest economy is expanding. The S&P 500 Index climbed 0.1% to 1,541.46. Five out of ten groups in the index edged higher. Big Lots Inc. jumped more than 6% to close at $35.97, as the Columbus-grounded retailer's report showed
The Canadian Dollar, also known as the Loonie, was lower by 0.5% to 1.0320 per U.S. Dollar in the end of Toronto trading session on Wednesday. In a previous session the currency depreciated even more, declining by 0.7%, and today the domestic Canada's currency is at the weakest point against the U.S. Dollar. Traders were negative mainly due to the Bank
Farm commodities were mixed on Wednesday, with softs advancing and grains declining. Softs found support on speculation about possible increase in Brazilian ethanol production and threat of coffee leaf rust in Central America. At the same time, improving weather conditions in the US put heavy pressure on grains. Wheat led losses, tumbling to a seven-month low as rain and snow improved
Energy futures except for heating oil finished in red after bearish EIA inventory data. However, uncertainty whether the next president of Venezuela will use oil as a political weapon, like his predecessor Hugo Chavez, restricted the downward trend of the commodity complex. Crude oil slid after the EIA data showed inventories rose much more than expected last week. Stockpiles climbed 3.8
Industrial metals were bearish on Wednesday despite positive news from the US. The latest data showed US employers increased hiring more than expected last month. Moreover, on Tuesday, China left its growth target at 7.5%, boosting demand prospects for the commodity group. Aluminum sagged 1.16% after Sumitomo Corp. raised its forecast for the world's aluminum surplus to a two-year high, saying
Precious metals apart from platinum traded higher on Wednesday despite broadly stronger greenback after upbeat US jobs data. The commodity sector found support on talks the ECB and Fed will stick to their loose policies. Gold climbed amid robust physical demand from central banks across the globe and speculation that the ECB and Fed will continue their easing measures. However,
West Texas Intermediate oil bounced off from the lowest level of this year on Tuesday, as U.S. shares advanced amid company earnings data and as the Federal Reserve decided to continue with its stimulus programme. WTI oil for April delivery increased 0.5% to $90.59 after it fell to its lowest level since December 24 on Monday to $90.12.
The volume of retail trade added on a monthly basis 1.2% in the 17-nation bloc, while in the larger European Union it expanded by 0.9% in January, following respective 0.8% and 0.7% decreases in retail trade the month before, according to a report released by Eurostat. Year-on-year, the retail sales index declined by 1.3% in the Eurozone and dropped by
According to the Institute for Supply Management, the U.S. non-manufacturing PMI fell to 55.2 in January, following a recorded figure of 55.7 in December. The figure was matching the preliminary estimates and, still being in the positive ground, indicates expansion of the economy. Further forecasts expect a slide down to 55.0."The ISM survey signals that growth in the service sector
The Canadian Dollar reached its weakest level in eight months versus the U.S. Dollar after the Bank of Canada stated that in the nearest future it would not raise-up interest rates due to inflation, that is slowing more than it was expected. The loonie dropped 0.5% to C$1.0305 versus the greenback after previously depreciating 0.7%. One Canadian Dollar buys 97.04
Due to increase in government investment and exports, Australia's economy expanded by adding 0.6% in Q4 of 2012 and 3.1% for the complete year. Those figures topped economist's expectations, as the annual growth was at its highest level since 2007. In seasonally adjusted terms, the main contributors to GDP were manufacturing, that added 2.1%, health care and social assistance, that
German shares extended their five-year high, as Henkel AG and Lanxess jumped and optimism among investors rose, as central banks said to continue stimulus measures. The DAX Index climbed 0.8%, or 59.33, to 7,929.72 at 5:31 p.m. in Frankfurt. Muenchener Rueckversicherungs AG rallied 3.1%, the most in the index, to pace gains in financial shares. Furthermore, Lanxess AG posted the
U.K. shares kept advancing on Wednesday, remaining at its five year high on positive data about U.S. private payrolls that beat the estimates. The FTSE 100 Index soared 0.3%, or 15.27 points, to 6,447.18. All except one sector edged higher in the index with basic materials posting the biggest gains. Vodafone Group Plc. rallied 6.4%, the most in four years
GDP of the 17 nations sharing the Euro slid 0.6% in the Q4 versus the Q3 of 2012. Comparing Q4 of 2012 with the same quarter the year before, in the Eurozone GDP decreased 0.9%. During the whole year of 2012, GDP contracted by 0.6%."This was the worst quarter in the recessionary cycle," said Mads Koefoed, an economist at Saxobank.
Hong Kong equities closed higher on Wednesday with the Hang Seng Index rising 0.96%, or 217.34 points, to 22,777.84, as financials and exporters were boosted by overnight gains on Wall Street. All but one group in the index advanced at least 0.4%. Belle International posted biggest gain in the gauge, as BofA Merrill Lynch maintained the retailer's "buy" rating. China
Japanese equities extended their gains, as the U.S. services industry accelerated its growth pace to the fastest in a year on rising optimism over more monetary stimulus. The Nikkei 225 Stock Average jumped 2.1% to 11,932.27, yet with the total volume declining by 22%. All sectors within the gauge edged higher, especially the blue chip companies exporting to the U.S.
Copper appreciated for a third day on service sector in the U.S., the second largest consumer of copper, expanded more than forecast, increasing demand for the commodity. The contract for Copper delivery in 3 months gained 0.5% and was settled at $7,812.50 a metric ton in London, May-delivery Copper advanced 0.4% to $3.5285 per pound in New York. According to