13/02/2012
Greece news lifts Europe stocks; C&W Worldwide up
MADRID - European stock market opened higher on Monday after Greece's parliament approved austerity measures in the face of major protests. Banking shares led gains across the Stoxx Europe 600 XX:SXXP +0.73% , which was up 0.7% to 263.16. Among the heav...
31/01/2012
Euro gains on Greek hopes; yen extends climb
Swissie flirts with central bank’s ceiling versus euro
FRANKFURT - The dollar slipped as investors showed modest appetite for riskier assets Tuesday, a day after European leaders notched a widely-expected agreement aimed at enshrining stricter and more enforceable debt limits and Greece's prime minister said...
30/01/2012
U.S. futures lower; Pep Boys, Thomas & Betts gain
NEW YORK - U.S. stock index futures fell sharply on Monday, tracking losses in Asia and Europe, on worries about Europe’s debt trouble amid reports of discord between Germany and Greece....
23/01/2012
U.S. futures up; Halliburton, Greece in focus
MADRID - U.S. stock futures rose on Monday, with investors again hopeful of a deal between Greece and its creditors after talks hit a snag over the weekend, while the earnings lineup saw oil-services major Halliburton Co. reporting higher profit and rev...
18/01/2012
Greek PM says creditors may have to take losses
MADRID - Greek Prime Minister Lucas Papademos said if a deal can't be reached in negotiations with the nation's creditors due to resume Wednesday, private investors may be forced to take losses. Papademos made the comments in an interview with the New Yo...
16/01/2012
Europe stocks edge higher ahead of French auction
Auto makers lift indexes after Goldman Sachs upgrades, banks down
LONDON - Most European stock markets rose Monday, with auto makers posting the biggest gains, as investors awaited debt sales in France....
12/01/2012
Europe stocks edge up; ECB, debt sales ahead
Investors await Italian and Spanish debt auctions and ECB meeting
LONDON European stock markets edged higher Thursday, as investors awaited debt auctions in Spain and Italy as well as a monetary-policy decision from the European Central Bank, which is expected to keep interest rates in hold....
10/01/2012
Euro adds to gains, as dollar eases lower
LOS ANGELoS - The euro ticked higher and the U.S. dollar extended its losses Tuesday, with Europe’s debt crisis squarely in focus....
06/01/2012
U.S. economy created 200,000 jobs in December
WASHINGTON - The U.S. economy gained 200,000 jobs in December and the unemployment rate fell to 8.5%, the Labor Department said Friday. Economists surveyed by MarketWatch had forecast the U.S. would add 150,000 jobs last month, with the jobless rate edgi...
05/01/2012
Weekly jobless claims drop 15,000 to 372,000
WASHINGTON - The number of Americans who filed requests for jobless benefits fell by 15,000 last week to 372,000, the U.S. Labor Department said Thursday. Claims from two weeks ago were revised up to 387,000 from 381,000. Economists surveyed by MarketWat...
05/01/2012
December private-sector jobs rise 325K: ADP
WASHINGTON - Private-sector payrolls increased 325,000 in December, led by the service-providing sector and small businesses, according to the ADP employment report released Thursday. The November level was revised to 204,000 from a prior estimate of 20...
05/01/2012
Europe stocks drop as banks sell off
LONDON Fresh concerns about the health of European banks prompted steep declines for stock markets across the Continent on Thursday, with Italy and Spain among the worst hit....
03/01/2012
Libya's Es-Sider oil port resumes exports
LONDON - Libya's largest oil port, Es-Sider, has restarted loadings, the head of the national oil company said Monday, lifting the most important hurdle standing in the way of a return to normal exports following the end of civil war.
Nuri Berruien, c...
28/12/2011
Europe stocks higher after Italian bond auction
MADRID - European stock markets moved higher on Wednesday after an Italian bond auction showed a sharp drop in yields. The Stoxx Europe 600 index XX:SXXP +0.58% rose 0.5% to 243.11, led by drug and energy-related stocks. The FTSE MIB Italy index XX:FTSE...
27/12/2011
ECB overnight deposits reach record
FRANKFURT - Use of the European Central Bank's overnight deposit facility reached a new, all-time high Monday, as euro-zone banks increasingly turned to the ECB as a safe-haven for extra funds.
Banks deposited EUR411.813 billion overnight Monday, up ...
21/12/2011
Asia markets rally with exporters gaining
SYDNEY - Asian stock markets rallied Wednesday, with strength for exporters and resource firms, as renewed optimism about the health of the global economy boosted risk appetite....
19/12/2011
Europe stock markets turn higher, drug stocks lead
MADRID - European stock markets turned higher in late morning trade on Monday, with drug and food and beverage sectors leading the gains. Markets kept an eye on North Korea after the weekend death of leader Kim Jong-il. The Stoxx Europe 600 index XX:SXX...
14/12/2011
Euro drops below key $1.30 level against dollar
LONDON - The euro dropped below the key $1.30 level against the U.S. dollar on Wednesday after Italy had to pay a euro-era high yield to sell five-year bonds. The euro fell 0.3% to $1.2995 in recent trade. Kathleen Brooks, research director at Forex.com...
14/12/2011
Resources, banks lead Europe stocks lower
Logica tumbles on downbeat statement
MADRID - European stock markets fell on Wednesday, with sentiment dampened after the U.S. Federal Reserve the prior day made no hints of further quantitative easing. Resources shares and bank stocks were leading the decliners....
13/12/2011
U.S. stocks trim rise after Fed leaves rates alone
NEW YORK - U.S. stocks on Tuesday lost much of their steam after the Federal Reserve held rates unchanged and noted signficant downside risk to the economy. The Dow Jones Industrial Average DJIA +0.24% added 38.14 points to 12,059.53. The S&P 500 SPX -0....
12/12/2011
Europe stocks move lower, led by banks, miners
Moody’s says pressure remains on euro-area sovereigns
MADRID - European stock markets traded lower on Monday, led by banks and miners. Sentiment was dampened after Moody's Investors Service said measures announced at last week's European Union summit won't be enough to take pressure off euro-area sovereig...
08/12/2011
ECB cuts key rate to 1%; BOE on hold
All eyes on Draghi ahead of crucial European summit
FRANKFURT - The European Central Bank on Thursday cut its key lending rate, as expected, by a quarter point to 1% in the face of a looming recession, while investors awaited word from Mario Draghi on other measures aimed at addressing the euro zone’s so...
08/12/2011
Asia shares decline with Europe in view
SYDNEY - Asian shares traded lower Thursday, though off their worst levels by midday, with investors cautious ahead of a European Central Bank decision and a summit to tackle the euro-zone debt crisis....
06/12/2011
U.S. stock-index futures hold gains
S&P warning puts modest damper on risk appetite
FRANKFURT - U.S. stock-index futures held modest gains Tuesday, a day after Standard & Poor’s Ratings Service put the ratings of 15 euro-zone countries on negative watch amid worries over the region's debt crisis....
02/12/2011
Nonfarm payrolls, Merkel speech in focus
FRIDAY MORNING'S TOP STORIES
The U.S. economy added 120,000 jobs in November, while the unemployment rate fell to 8.6% from 9.0%, the Labor Department said Friday....
29/11/2011
Europe stocks fall, led by banks, miners
French banks under pressure on speculation of rating outlook cut
MADRID European stock markets traded lower on Tuesday, with banks in France under particular pressure on speculation of a potential revision in the country's rating outlook, as investors awaited a meeting of euro-zone finance ministers later in the day....
23/11/2011
Weekly U.S. jobless claims rise 2,000 to 393,000
WASHINGTON New applications for regular state unemployment-insurance benefits ticked higher in latest weekly data, rising 2,000 to a seasonally adjusted 393,000, the Labor Department reported Wednesday. Economists polled by MarketWatch had expected a le...
22/11/2011
Euro turns down vs. dollar after stocks reverse
NEW YORK The euro turned down slightly against the dollar on Tuesday after U.S. stock futures turned negative, reversing an earlier recovery in investors appetite for riskier assets. The dollar index DXY -0.02% , which measures the U.S. unit against a b...
22/11/2011
Asia stocks end off lows, but global worries weigh
SYDNEY - Asian stock markets spent most of Tuesday in negative territory, weighed by U.S. and European debt concerns, but the major indexes ended off their lows, with Hong Kong and Seoul closing with gains....
18/11/2011
Gold futures climb 1% in partial recovery
EW YORK - U.S. gold futures for December delivery GC1Z +0.81% rose more than 1% on Friday, retaking some of the ground lost in the last few sessions. Gold climbed as the dollar dropped almost 1% against a basket of other global currencies. Gold futures ...
16/11/2011
Europe stocks turn mixed, Infineon off, Vivendi up
MADRID - European stock markets traded mixed early Wednesday, with euro-zone debt issues a continued focus as Spanish and Italian government bond yields continue to climb. The Italy FTSE MIB index XX:FTSEMIB +1.86% jumped 1.3% to 15,499.51, while the S...
15/11/2011
U.S. stock futures sink on euro-zone fears
Yields on Spanish and Italian bonds surge as worries grow
LONDON - Wall Street was set for sharp opening losses on Tuesday, as yields on 10-year Italian and Spanish government bonds surged, escalating fears that the debt crisis may engulf the euro area’s large economies....
15/11/2011
Asia stocks slide on resurgent Europe debt fear
LOS Angles - Asian stock markets followed their U.S. peers lower Tuesday, as a rise overnight in Spanish and Italian government-bond yields stoked concerns that Europe’s debt crisis was deepening....
14/11/2011
Stock futures drift lower, eye Europe
IBM shares rise ahead of bell after Buffett reveals $10.7 billion stake
FRANKFURT - U.S. stock-index futures drifted lower Monday as investors cautiously welcomed efforts by economist Mario Monti to put together a new government in Italy, but remained wary of European leader's ability to get the euro-zone debt crisis under co...
14/11/2011
Asia rises after Italy taps new leader
SYDNEY - Asia stocks climbed on Monday after Italy took steps to appoint a new leader and passed an austerity budget, easing fears that the country would be the next to be engulfed by Europe's debt turmoil....
11/11/2011
U.S. stock futures rise as Europe worries ease
Disney shares advance on earnings results
NEW YORK - U.S. stock futures rose on Friday, as worries over Europe's debt crisis eased and investors showed cautious appetite for risk....
09/11/2011
European stocks drop on Italian worries
Italian bond yields above 7% as clearing house raises margins
LONDON - European stock markets dropped sharply on Wednesday as Italy's bond yields soared after clearing house LCH.Clearnet raised the margins traders must provide to trade Italian government bonds....
08/11/2011
Italy bond yields hover below euro-era high
FRANKFURT - The yield on 10-year Italian government bonds IT:10YR_ITA +0.38% edged up to a euro-era high of 6.69% and remains up by around 9 basis points at 6.62% on Tuesday, according to FactSet Research data, as investors await a budget vote in the Ita...
08/11/2011
Europe stocks higher; SocGen, M&S, Lloyds up
MADRID - European stock markets opened higher on Tuesday, with investors continuing to eye events in Italy and Greece, but also focusing on a slew of results. Shares of Lloyds Banking Group PLC UK:LLOY +4.73% rose 3.8%, Societe Generale SA FR:GLE -2.40% ...
04/11/2011
U.S. economy gains 80,000 jobs in October
Unemployment rate falls to 9.0% from 9.1%
WASHINGTON - The U.S. only added 80,000 jobs in October, but hiring occurred at a faster pace in late summer than originally reported and the unemployment rate ticked lower to 9.0%, the Labor Department reported Friday....
04/11/2011
Dollar consolidates in nervous trade
Traders await U.S. payrolls, watch Greece and G-20
FRANKFURT The dollar consolidated versus major rivals in range-bound trade Friday as investors awaited October U.S. nonfarm payrolls data and kept a close eye on developments in Greece, a day after the European Central Bank delivered an unexpectedly earl...
03/11/2011
U.S. weekly jobless claims fall 9,000 to 397,000
WASHINGTON - New applications for jobless benefits fell by 9,000 last week to 397,000, the Labor Department reported on Thursday. Economists surveyed by MarketWatch had expected new claims in the week ended Oct. 29 to fall to 400,000, on a seasonally adj...
03/11/2011
European stocks fall on news of Greek rift
LONDON - The Stoxx Europe 600 index XX:SXXP -0.81% traded 1.06% lower to 234.70 in early-morning market activity Thursday. Germany's DAX 30 index DX:DAX -1.41% fell 1.75% to 5,861.83. France's CAC-40 index FR:PX1 -1.30% dipped 1.38% at 3,067.09. In Lo...
02/11/2011
Gold futures climb after three-session drop
Silver all but erases Tuesday losses; copper contract rallies
SAN FRANCISCO - Gold futures climbed Wednesday as uncertainty surrounding Greece’s debt crisis helped position the market for its first gain in four sessions....
02/11/2011
Greek referendum provokes fresh turmoil
Italy yields jump as European debt crisis fears return
FRANKFURT - A surprise decision by Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou to put the nation's latest bailout plan to a referendum renewed fears of a potentially messy default and sparked a global market rout on Tuesday as investors again questioned Euro...
01/11/2011
U.S. stock futures drop on Greek referendum
Greece will hold a referendum on latest bailout deal agreed with EU
FRANKFURT - U.S. stock futures posted heavy losses Tuesday after Greece's surprise decision to call a referendum on its bailout package stirred new default fears....
01/11/2011
Swiss franc weighs on Credit Suisse earnings
ZURICH - The strong Swiss franc had an adverse impact on Credit Suisse Group's CS -6.12% third-quarter earnings, but because the Swiss central bank capped the franc against the euro in September, the negative impact was smaller than in the second quart...
31/10/2011
Japan intervenes in forex market; yen dives
SYDNEY Japan sold an undisclosed amount of yen on the foreign-exchange market Monday, sending the U.S. dollar and the euro climbing sharply against the currency....
27/10/2011
U.S. economy grows 2.5% in third quarter
Consumer spending, business investment and exports lead charge
WASHINGTON - U.S. growth accelerated in the third quarter as consumers and businesses ramped up spending, a report that shows the economy remained resilient in the face of strong headwinds....
27/10/2011
Greek bondholders to take 50% haircut
SYDNEY - European leaders announced a deal early Thursday in which private-sector holders of Greek government debt will take a 50% writedown on the value of their holdings as part of a wide-ranging package of measures designed to stem the region's debt ...
26/10/2011
New U.S. home sales rise as prices tumble
Price falls to lowest level in nearly a year
WASHINGTON - Sales of new single-family U.S. homes rose by 5.7% in September as prices fell to the lowest level in nearly a year.
The Commerce Department said new home sales climbed to an annual pace of 313,000 in September from August's slightly revi...
26/10/2011
Why gold is rallying
Commentary: Sentiment playing a big role in gold's rally
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - They're blaming Greece again.
This time its to try to explain why gold soared more than 3% on Tuesday.
But if you believe that explanation, how do you account for gold's behavior just three sessions previously? The headline news l...
25/10/2011
U.S. stocks fall sharply on Europe jitters
NEW YORK - U.S. stocks declined sharply Tuesday on reports euro-area finance ministers had cancelled their meeting a day before its scheduled start, with the full European Union summit still expected to take place....
25/10/2011
European stocks edge lower in early trading
LONDON - European stock markets opened slightly lower Tuesday, as traders digested earnings reports and awaited the outcome of tomorrow's summit of euro-zone leaders. The Stoxx Europe 600 index XX:SXXP -0.10% edged down 0.1% at 241.91 in early trading. ...
24/10/2011
European stocks pare gains after PMI data
LONDON - European stocks pared their gains Monday after data showed the preliminary composite purchasing managers index for the euro zone fell to 47.2 in October, its lowest reading since July 2009. The Stoxx Europe 600 index XX:SXXP +0.10% edged up 0.1%...
21/10/2011
Europe stocks rise on hopes for crisis plan
Bank shares rally, rebounding from Thursday's losses
LONDON- European stocks rose early Friday, with banks recovering from the previous session's steep losses, buoyed by hopes that a plan to tackle the euro-zone debt crisis will be presented soon.
The pan-European Stoxx 600 index XX:SXXP +0.88% rose 0...
20/10/2011
Weekly U.S. jobless claims fall to 403,000
WASHINGTON - Applications for unemployment benefits fell by 6,000 to 403,000 last week, the U.S. Labor Department said Thursday. Initial claims from two weeks ago were revised up to 409,000 from an original reading of 404,000. Economists surveyed by Mark...
20/10/2011
Euro slips on debt-deal confusion; dollar up
Major currency pairs range-bound ahead of Sunday euro summit
FRANKFURT - The euro moved slightly lower versus rivals in range-bound trade Thursday as signs of a split between France and Germany dented hopes an upcoming summit will produce a convincing plan to contain Europe's sovereign debt crisis....
20/10/2011
Europe stocks drop; earnings, debt crisis in focus
LONDON - European stock markets opened sharply lower early Thursday as investors digested earnings news and eyed efforts to find a solution to the euro-zone debt crisis. The Stoxx Europe 600 index XX:SXXP -1.19% dropped 1.2% to 233.79. Franc''s CAC 40 ...
19/10/2011
U.S. stock futures pare loss after CPI, home data
NEW YORK - U.S. stock futures trimmed their losses on Wednesday morning after the U.S. government reported better-than-expected houising starts and inflation data largely in line with expectations. Futures on the Dow Jones Industrial Average DJ1Z -0.20% ...
19/10/2011
Bank of England unanimously backed added bond buys
FRANKFURT - The Bank of England's rate-setting Monetary Policy Committee voted unanimously earlier this month to expand the bank's asset-purchase program, the centerpiece of its quantitative-easing strategy, by 75 billion pounds ($118 billion), bringing...
07/10/2011
U.S. stock futures turn higher on jobs report
NEW YORK- U.S. stock-index futures erased declines to turn sharply higher on Friday after the September nonfarm payrolls report yielded more positive results than predicted. Futures for the Dow Jones Industrial Average DJ1Z +0.75% rose 100 points to 11,...
07/10/2011
Nonfarm payroll up 103,000 in Sept. rate at 9.1%
WASHINGTON - The U.S. added 103,000 nonfarm jobs in September, the Labor Department said Friday. The increase was larger than the 59,000 gain expected by Wall Street economists . Returning workers after the end of a strike at Verizon Communications Inc. ...
05/10/2011
U.S. September private-sector jobs rise 91K: ADP
WASHINGTON - Private-sector payrolls increased 91,000 in September, led by the service-producing sector and small businesses, according to the ADP employment report released Wednesday. The August level was revised down to 89,000 from a prior estimate of 9...
05/10/2011
Banks lead Europe higher in early trading
LONDON - European stock markets bounced higher in early trading Wednesday, shrugging off a downgrade of Italy by Moody's Investors Service, with bank stocks climbing sharply following a late rally on Wall Street. Among the biggest gainers, shares in BNP ...
03/10/2011
Europe stocks sharply lower on Greece reports
MADRID - European stock markets opened lower Monday, with banks reacting negatively to reports that Greece will not meet its deficit targets this year. The Stoxx Europe 600 index XX:SXXP -2.36% fell 2.3% to 220.88, while the German DAX 30 index DX:DAX ...
29/09/2011
Fed's Rosengren urges scrutiny of bank dividends
WASHINGTON - Dividends and share buybacks at systemically important banks should be halted if financial supervisors become concerned about credit availability, Boston Fed President Eric Rosengren said in a speech in Stockholm, Sweden, according to a tr...
28/09/2011
Banks drop as Europe's optimism wavers
Man Group tumbles after trading update; Peugeot hit by downgrade
LONDON - European stock markets slipped in early trading Wednesday as bank stocks pulled back following two days of strong gains, while shares in hedge fund manager Man Group PLC tumbled after the firm reported a sharp drop in assets under management....
27/09/2011
Australia's banking system faces challenges: FSB
SYDNEY - Australia's financial system faces a range of policy challenges from dealing with the impact of a roaring mining boom to managing systemic risk and moral hazard in a banking network dominated by four big lenders, the Financial Stability Board sa...
26/09/2011
Banks help pull European markets down
LONDON - European stock markets dropped in early trading Monday as a lack of concrete progress over the continent's sovereign debt crisis weighed on financial stocks. French banks were again among the worst performers, with shares of BNP Paribas SA FR:BN...
26/09/2011
U.S. stock futures point to lower Wall Street open
MADRID - U.S. stock futures were pointing to losses for Wall Street on Monday when markets open later, as a lack of progress on Europe's sovereign debt issues continued to weigh on investors. Futures for the Dow Jones Industrial Average DJ1Z -0.21% fel...
21/09/2011
Treasurys up, dollar pares losses after Fed
NEW YORK - Long-term Treasury prices gained and the dollar pared its losses on Wednesday after the Federal Reserve's Open Market Committee said it would shift $400 billion of its short-term holdings into longer-dated debt through June, and that "there a...
21/09/2011
Gold, oil continue lower after home-sales data
SAN FRANCISCO - Gold and crude-oil futures continued to trade lower even after news that sales of existing homes rose to a five-month high in August. The National Association of Realtors reported that sales climbed 7.7% to a seasonally adjusted annual ra...
20/09/2011
China bank halts swaps with some European banks
HONG KONG - Bank of China Ltd. has halted foreign-exchange swaps with several European banks, according to reports Tuesday, though accounts differed as to the reason behind the move....
15/09/2011
Treasurys, dollar drop after ECB actions
NEW YORK - The euro jumped more than 1% against the dollar and Treasury prices dropped sharply Thursday after the European Central bank announced on Thursday new, longer-term, dollar loans to European banks in coordination with the U.S. , British, Japane...
14/09/2011
Europe turns higher as banks pare losses; BP up
MADRID - Europe stocks shook off opening losses to move higher on Wednesday, though some French banks remained under pressure after downgrades by Moody's Investors Service, while gains for oil giant BP and retailer Next PLC led the upside....
08/09/2011
Gold adds 2.1% after Trichet, jobless claims
SAN FRANCISCO - Gold futures bounced higher Thursday, taking another stab at $1,900 an ounce after the European Central Bank cut growth forecasts and U.S. jobless claims edged higher....
08/09/2011
Weekly U.S. jobless claims rise to 414,000
Data not seen affected by hurricane in Northeast
WASHINGTON - Applications for unemployment compensation rose slightly last week, indicating little change in a weak U.S. jobs market in which net hiring remains near a standstill....
06/09/2011
Euro soars as SNB sets floor versus franc
FRANKFURT - The euro soared EURCHF +8.58% versus the Swiss franc Tuesday after the Swiss National Bank said it would no longer tolerate the shared currency trading below 1.20 Swiss francs. The euro traded at 1.2139 francs in recent action, a gain of nearl...
06/09/2011
European markets edge higher in early trading
LONDON - European stock markets edged slightly higher in early trading Tuesday as investors paused for breath following the previous session's heavy fall. Among stocks on the move, shares in Deutsche Bank AG DE:DBK +2.38% [d: db] rose 1.9% after J.P. Mo...
02/09/2011
Dollar index slips after disappointing jobs data
NEW YORK - The U.S. dollar fell against major currencies Friday morning as risk aversion mounted after disappointing nonfarm payrolls data for August. The dollar index DXY -0.04% , which measures the greenback against a basket of six currencies, dipped ...
02/09/2011
U.S. stock futures fall further on jobs report
NEW YORK - U.S. stock futures extended Friday premarket losses after a flat U.S. payrolls reading. "Today's jobs report represents what many realists already have known: There's a tremendous lack of confidence in consumer-related companies," said Todd Sc...
01/09/2011
U.S. initial jobless claims off slightly last week
Separate report shows sharper fall in second-quarter productivity
WASHINGTON - The number of Americans seeking new jobless benefits fell last week but remained at a level associated with slow hiring trends, government data showed....
01/09/2011
U.S. stock futures trim drop after claims data
NEW YORK - U.S. stock futures lessened their decline Thursday after economic reports had jobless claims falling by 12,000 to 409,000 last week, and U.S productivity revised down to a 0.7% decline in the second quarter. Futures for the Dow Jones Industrial...
31/08/2011
European stocks climb; Carrefour drops
LONDON - European stocks rose in early trading Wednesday, helped by late gains for Wall Street in the previous session after minutes from the latest Federal Open Market Committee meeting showed a few members believed further stimulus measures were needed....
31/08/2011
Gold steady after retaking $1,800
HONG KONG - Gold futures were little changed in electronic trading Wednesday in Asia after reclaiming the $1,800 ounce level in the U.S. session....
18/08/2011
U.S. stock futures slump on growth fears
Weekly jobless claims and CPI data awaited
FRANKFURT- U.S. stock futures slumped on Thursday, as fears over global growth prospects and Europe’s ongoing sovereign-debt woes weighed on equity markets around the world....
18/08/2011
U.S. stock futures slump on growth fears
Weekly jobless claims, CPI data awaited
FRANKFURT - U.S. stock futures slumped on Thursday, as fears over global growth prospects and Europe's ongoing sovereign debt woes weighed on equity markets around the world....
11/08/2011
Weekly jobless claims drop 7,000 to 395,000
WASHINGTON - The number of people who applied for unemployment benefits dropped by 7,000 last week to a seasonally adjusted 395,000, the Labor Department said Thursday. Initial claims from two weeks ago were revised up to 402,000 from an original reading...
10/08/2011
U.S. stock futures slip; gold, oil futures rise
Swiss central bank takes more measures against strong franc
LONDON - U.S. stock futures edged lower Wednesday, as investors paused for breath after the previous session's rally triggered by the Federal Reserve's intention to keep rates low at least for two more years....
10/08/2011
Oil futures take back some losses
SYDNEY- Benchmark Nymex crude-oil futures climbed on Wednesday after the Federal Reserve pledged to keep interest rates low and data unexpectedly showed a contraction in inventory stockpiles....
09/08/2011
U.S. futures swing wildly ahead of Fed statement
Gold rallies, oil falls; European markets tumble again
LONDON - U.S. stock futures swung wildly Tuesday after markets suffered their worst one-day loss since late 2008 in the previous session and as traders awaited a Federal Reserve statement on monetary policy that will be dissected for any hint of further ...
08/08/2011
Gold soars above $1,700 after S&P downgrade
Investors rush to the perceived safe-haven appeal of gold
HONG KONG - Gold prices soared above the $1,700-an-ounce barrier on Monday to set another record as the Standard & Poor's downgrade of U.S. credit ratings amplified worries about global economic outlook, luring investors to the metal’s safe-haven appeal...
04/08/2011
U.S. stocks fall hard as economy weighs
NEW YORK - U.S. stocks fell sharply on Thursday after the government said claims for unemployment benefits fell by 1,000 last week, illustrating only limited improvement ahead of Friday's monthly jobs report....
04/08/2011
Gold futures tack on as much as $16 an ounce
Safe haven fed by economic, debt concerns and yen intervention
SAN FRANCISCO - Gold futures tacked on as much as $16 an ounce Thursday as concerns about the U.S. economy and Europe's sovereign debt crisis and Japan's intervention in the currency market to stem the rise in the yen sent investors into their defensive s...
28/07/2011
BASF, Alcatel-Lucent, banks drive Europe lower
Vallourec shares plunge 18% after results
MADRID - European stock markets posted losses early Thursday as nervousness over U.S. debt negotiations, as well as poorly received earnings from BASF SE, Alcatel-Lucent SA and others, weighed on the region’s main bourses....
26/07/2011
Oil futures edge higher in Nymex electronic trade
SYDNEY - Benchmark light sweet crude-oil futures edged higher in Nymex electronic trading on Tuesday, up 26 cents at $99.46 a barrel. The gains followed a speech by U.S. President Barack Obama on the current debt standoff in the U.S. Obama said that he's...
26/07/2011
Gold futures build on gains as debt talks stall
SYDNEY - Gold futures advanced in electronic trading Tuesday, with the precious metal rising $2.90 to $1,615.10 an ounce, with U.S. lawmakers still unable to reach a deal on lifting the debt ceiling. Gold for August delivery GC1Q -0.09% hit a fresh reco...
14/07/2011
U.S. stocks trim gains on Bernanke testimony
NEW YORK - U.S. stocks shaved Thursday gains as Wall Street took a cautious note as Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke testified before Congress and after the government reported initial applications for jobless benefits slid to a three-month low last...
13/07/2011
Gold futures hover near record levels
HONG KONG - Gold prices traded near records in late Asian trading hours on Wednesday, as investors assessed euro-zone debt contagion fears and looked ahead to an appearance by Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke before U.S. lawmakers later Wednesday. ...
11/07/2011
Oil futures drop as dollar gains
SYDNEY - Crude oil futures lost further ground in electronic trading Monday, as a stronger dollar and worries about the strength of the U.S. recovery dampened oil’s investment appeal....
08/07/2011
Nonfarm payroll rise only 18,000 in June
WASHINGTON - The U.S. economy added jobs at a slower pace in June than in May, suggesting that the sudden slowdown in the economy might be longer-lasting and more severe than feared. Nonfarm payrolls rose by only 18,000 in June, well below the 125,000 ga...
07/07/2011
U.S. stocks rally as jobs outlook improves
NEW YORK - U.S. stocks advanced early Thursday as a survey of private-sector hiring handily beat expectations and the number of idled U.S. workers making new unemployment claims fell slightly last week....
06/07/2011
Gold futures extend gains in electronic trading
SYDNEY - Gold futures advanced on Wednesday, extending sharp gains made the previous day in New York, with Europe's debt troubles back on center stage....
05/07/2011
Oil futures rally toward $97 a barrel
Potential for tighter U.S. oil rules, optimism over demand buoy crude
SAN FRANCISCO - Crude-oil futures climbed toward $97 a barrel Tuesday, set to score their highest closing level in three weeks, supported by optimism about the U.S. economy, a higher price forecast from Barclay’s Capital and the potential for tighter do...
28/06/2011
Dollar takes back ground lost to euro
TOKYO - The dollar regained some ground lost to the euro Tuesday, as doubts about the European currency lingered ahead of Greece’s eagerly awaited austerity vote later this week....
21/06/2011
U.S. stocks rise on hopes of Greek debt fix
NEW YORK - U.S. stocks rose as investors overlooked weak U.S. housing data and bet Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou will win a confidence vote later Tuesday, a major step toward averting a sovereign debt default....
20/06/2011
Gold, silver retreat as dollar gains
SYDNEY - Gold futures retreated in electronic trading on Monday, as the dollar strengthened against the euro while investors awaited fresh developments out of debt-stricken Greece....
14/06/2011
U.S. stock indexes open with solid gains
NEW YORK - U.S. stocks rallied at Tuesday’s start after a report on retail sales proved a bit better than expected....
14/06/2011
Asian stocks gain after Chinese data
SYDNEY - Asian equity markets advanced Tuesday, after Chinese economic data fed into hopes that the country will avoid a sharp economic slowdown, though a late-session announcement of higher bank-reserve requirements hit Hong Kong-listed financials....
08/06/2011
Oil turns up as OPEC keeps production quotas
API reports inventories drop; U.S. government's weekly update eyed
SAN FRANCISCO- Crude-oil futures turned higher Wednesday, rallying to trade above $100 a barrel as the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries kept its production quotas unchanged....
07/06/2011
Euro-zone April retail sales jump 0.9%
LONDON - Retail sales volume in the euro zone rose 0.9% in April and were up 1.1% compared to the same month last year, the European Union statistics agency Eurostat reported Tuesday. Economists had forecast a 0.3% monthly rise and a flat year-on-year r...
06/06/2011
U.S. stock futures drift; Apple's Jobs ahead
NEW YORK - U.S. stock futures veered on either side of neutral Monday with investors awaiting the kickoff of Apple Inc.'s worldwide developers conference and continuing to mull the state of the global economy....
03/06/2011
Job growth slows to 54,000 in May, rate up to 9.1%
WASHINGTON - Job growth decelerated sharply in May, the Labor Department said Friday. Total nonfarm payrolls increased by 54,000, much lower than the 125,000 gain expected by Wall Street economists. This is the smallest increase in nonfarm payroll sinc...
02/06/2011
Gold, silver futures drop as dollar rises
SYDNEY - Gold futures lost ground in electronic trading on Thursday as the U.S. dollar strengthened and stock markets across Asia headed south on concerns about global growth....
01/06/2011
U.K. manufacturing PMI falls to 20-month low
LONDON - The U.K. manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index fell to a 20-month low of 52.1 in May from a downwardly revised 54.4 in April, due to weaker trends in both production and orders. The survey by Markit and the Chartered Institute of Purchasing & S...
31/05/2011
Dollar slips vs. euro but gains on yen
TOKYO - The dollar lost ground against the euro after a report eased investors fears about Greece's debt woes Tuesday, but both of those currencies gained on the yen after Moody's Investors Service said it was reviewing Japan's rating for possible down...
27/05/2011
U.S. stock futures gain after economic report
NEW YORK - U.S. stock futures added to Friday gains after the government reported personal income and spending rose 0.4% in April. Futures for the Dow Jones Industrial Average DJM11 +0.15% climbed 22 points to 12,431. Futures for the Standard & Poor's 5...
27/05/2011
April consumer spending smallest gain in 3 months
WASHINGTON - Consumer spending rose by the smallest gain in three months in April, a further sign of slower spending momentum due to higher prices at the pump. Consumer spending rose 0.4% in April, the Commerce Department estimated Friday. Income rose 0....
24/05/2011
Gold, silver move higher; dollar weakens
SYDNEY - Gold futures pushed higher in electronic trading on Tuesday, as the dollar weakened and helped support buying in the metal....
23/05/2011
Euro-zone growth slows in May, PMI data show
LONDON - Private-sector activity in the euro zone decelerated to its slowest pace in seven months in May, according to preliminary purchasing managers index data released Monday by Markit. The composite PMI reading declined to a seven-month low of 55.4 ...
20/05/2011
Dollar edges up vs. yen after Bank of Japan
TOKYO - The dollar edged up against its Japanese counterpart in Asian trading Friday, shrugging off the Bank of Japan's decision to refrain from further easing....
19/05/2011
Weekly U.S. jobless claims drop to 409,000
WASHINGTON - The number of jobless U.S. workers who filed new applications for unemployment benefits fell to 409,000 last week from an upwardly revised 438,000 in the prior week, the U.S. Labor Department said Thursday. Economists surveyed by MarketWatch...
18/05/2011
Crude oil rebounds from 12-week low
NEW YORK - Crude oil futures rose on Wednesday, bouncing back from losses in the previous session. West Texas Intermediate crude oil for June delivery CLM11 +1.10% rose $1.36, or 1.4%, to $98.32 a barrel in electronic trades on the New York Mercantile E...
18/05/2011
Dollar extends slide in Asian hours
HONG KONG - The U.S. dollar added to its losses against other global currencies during Asian trading hours Wednesday, as regional stocks moved higher, and as some traders said the euro might consolidate after being hit by worries about Greece’s debt troub...
16/05/2011
Dollar gains; euro extends declines
SYDNEY - The U.S. dollar strengthened during Asian trading hours Monday, driving the euro lower ahead of a meeting of European finance leaders on efforts to resolve the region's sovereign-debt problems, a situation complicated by the weekend arrest of the...
12/05/2011
Weekly U.S. jobless claims drop 44,000 to 434,000
WASHINGTON - Applications in the U.S. for unemployment compensation fell by 44,000 last week to 434,000, partly reversing a large spike earlier in April, the Labor Department reported Thursday. Economists surveyed by MarketWatch had expected application...
12/05/2011
European stocks drop sharply in early trading
LONDON - European stocks dropped in early trading Thursday as another sharp pullback in commodity prices weighed on the mining sector and as disappointing earnings figures hit several stocks. Among the biggest fallers, shares in silver miner Fresnillo P...
11/05/2011
U.S. trade deficit hits 9-month high in March
WASHINGTON - The U.S. trade deficit widened sharply in March to the highest level in nine months despite a new record high for exports of goods and services, government data showed Wednesday....
11/05/2011
S. stock futures point higher; Disney may fall
Gold, silver futures continue to rebound; Macy's earnings to come
LONDON - U.S. stock futures pointed slightly higher Wednesday following three straight days of gains, as gold and silver futures continued to rebound from the previous week's heavy losses....
09/05/2011
Greece in focus as European stocks fall
Financial sector declines
LONDON - European stock markets opened lower on Monday, led by a drop in financial shares, as concerns mounted over Greece's debt burden....
06/05/2011
Gold stabilizes but silver falls further
SYDNEY - Following a rout for many commodities in the previous session, gold futures stabilized a bit in Asian trading on Friday but silver futures fell further....
05/05/2011
Oil down 4% on fears of diminished demand
Natural gas drops more than 4% after inventories report
SAN FRANCISCO - Crude-oil futures fell Thursday on another sign of a poor job market, with prices still reeling from higher-than-expected U.S. inventories and economic data that have rekindled concerns of slowing growth and lower demand for oil....
05/05/2011
Applications for U.S. jobless benefits surge
Claims climb to 474,000, the highest level since August
WASHINGTON - Weekly applications for unemployment compensation jumped to their highest level since August, largely because of special factors, but a recent upward trend suggests more slack in the U.S. labor market....
05/05/2011
Silver falls after latest CME margin hikes
HONG KONG - Silver prices were on track for their fifth straight day of losses on Thursday, dropping 1.7% from the close of regular U.S. trading. The drop came after the main U.S. metals exchange announced further hikes to margin requirements, effectively...
04/05/2011
Private sector added 179,000 jobs in April - ADP
WASHINGTON - Employment in the U.S. private sector increased by 179,000 in April on a seasonally adjusted basis, according to payroll data compiled by Automatic Data Processing Inc. The dropoff from March's increase of 201,000 is likely to disappoint in...
04/05/2011
Gold, silver extend falls in Asian trading
SYDNEY - Gold and silver futures extended losses in electronic trading early Wednesday, amid reports that heavyweight investors George Soros and John Burbank were selling out of the metals, and as the latest hike to CME silver margin requirements took e...
03/05/2011
Oil futures slip in Asian trade as dollar rises
SYDNEY - Crude-oil futures edged lower in electronic trading Tuesday, weighed down by a rising U.S. dollar....
02/05/2011
U.S. stock futures rally after bin Laden's death
Dollar jumps; crude-oil, silver futures slump
MUMBAI - U.S. stock futures rallied, as the dollar jumped while crude-oil and silver futures sank on Monday after President Barack Obama announced that U.S. forces had killed al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden in Pakistan....
29/04/2011
Dollar breaks through 6.50 yuan mark
HONG KONG - China's currency extended its long march higher Friday, with the U.S. dollar dropping below the 6.50 yuan level for the first time since the currency was allowed to fluctuate in 2005. The dollar hit 6.4902, easing 0.2% from its previous clos...
28/04/2011
Bank of Japan holds steady, details quake loans
Central bank rejects proposal for further easing
TOKYO - The Bank of Japan on Thursday held policy steady, rejected a proposal to increase the size of its asset-buying program and detailed a lending program for banks in disaster-struck areas....
27/04/2011
Dollar slips ahead of Bernanke comments
SYDNEY - The U.S. dollar slipped in Asian trading hours on Wednesday, ahead of the Federal Reserve rate decision and monetary policy update....
26/04/2011
Gold slips, silver briefly down as much as 5%
HONG KONG - Gold and silver retreated in Asian trade on Tuesday, with gold slipping below the $1,500 level, while silver briefly plunged more than 5%....
25/04/2011
Oil futures move within hailing distance of $113
NEW YORK - Early gains pushed crude-oil futures toward the $113-a-barrel mark Monday, as upward momentum continued after last week's gains.
West Texas Intermediate for June delivery CLM11 +0.80% rose 41 cents to $112.70 a barrel. Pricier Brent crude...
25/04/2011
Gold surges; spot price at $1,515
HONG KONG - Spot prices for gold climbed to a record at midday in Asia on Monday, extending the metal’s recent gains, as reports circulated that China may tap its $3 trillion foreign-exchange reserves stockpile to launch special commodity and forex funds...
21/04/2011
U.K. retail sales unexpectedly rise 0.2% in March
LONDON - British retail sales volumes saw a 0.2% monthly rise in March and were up 1.3% compared to the same month in 2010, the Office for National Statistics reported Thursday. Economists had forecast a 0.4% monthly drop and a 1.1% annual gain. ...
19/04/2011
Euro-zone purchasing managers index posts rise
LONDON - Economic activity across the 17-nation euro zone continued to accelerate in April, according to the preliminary purchasing managers index for the region. The composite PMI compiled by Markit Economics rose to 57.8 from 57.6 in March. A reading ...
18/04/2011
Gold surges after S&P lowers U.S. outlook
Silver rallies past $43 an ounce
SAN FRANCISCO - Gold futures shot higher Monday after ratings agency Standard & Poor's revised its outlook for U.S. debt to negative from stable....
18/04/2011
U.S. stock futures drop; Citigroup results due
Synthes confirms it's in deal talks with Johnson & Johnson
LONDON - U.S. stock futures dropped Monday, as investors awaited results from banking giant Citigroup Inc. and European markets declined on renewed sovereign-debt worries....
15/04/2011
Euro-zone Mar. annual inflation revised up to 2.7%
LONDON - Consumer price inflation in the euro zone rose at a 2.7% annual pace in March, the European Union statistics agency Eurostat reported Friday, an upward revision from a previous estimate of 2.6%. The annual inflation rate was 2.4% in February. C...
14/04/2011
U.S. jobless claims surge above 400,000
The increase puts claims at their highest level since mid-February
WASHINGTON - New applications by jobless workers seeking unemployment benefits jumped above 400,000 last week for the first time in a month, putting claims at their highest level since mid-February, the Labor Department said Thursday....
14/04/2011
European stocks slip in early trading
LONDON - European stocks moved lower in early trading Thursday, with bank stocks under pressure after a weak session for the sector on Wall Street. Among companies in focus, shares of Danone (FR:BN 47.89, +1.06, +2.26%) rose 1.1% in Paris after the gro...
13/04/2011
OIL FUTURES: Crude Rebounds In Asia; Libya Back In Focus
SINGAPORE - Crude futures were higher in Asia Wednesday, staging a rebound after Tuesday's sell-off, after renewed political tension in African oil producer Libya lent support.
"Tuesday's sharp decline presented an excellent opportunity to buy for ...
12/04/2011
Dollar gains versus most rivals
SYDNEY - The U.S. dollar advanced against major rivals on Tuesday, although it fell against the yen after the Japanese government raised its assessment of the crisis at the Fukushima Daiichi power plant to the same level as the 1986 Chernobyl disaster....
11/04/2011
Silver prices jump, gold hits fresh record
HONG KONG - Gold and silver spot prices gained Monday, with silver trading near $42 an ounce, while gold set a fresh record in Europe before paring gains. Silver spot prices were quoted at $41.53, up 2.3% from the previous session's close, but down from ...
08/04/2011
Gold hits fresh record, silver tops $40 an ounce
MUMBAI - Gold futures traded at fresh record levels and silver topped $40 an ounce during Asian trading hours Friday, with investors chasing the safety of precious metals as turmoil in the Middle East lifted crude oil futures above $111 a barrel, while t...
07/04/2011
Weekly U.S. jobless claims drop 10,000 to 382,000
WASHINGTON - The number of people who applied for unemployment benefits last week fell by 10,000 to a seasonally adjusted 382,000, the Labor Department said Thursday. Economists surveyed by MarketWatch has expected new applications for jobless benefits to...
07/04/2011
OIL FUTURES: Crude Falls In Asia But Supply Concerns Persist
SINGAPORE - Crude-oil futures slipped in Asia Thursday, as buyers paused after data showed U.S. crude inventories rose more than expected, but benchmark contracts stayed close to their multiyear highs as market attention remained glued to Libya's supply...
06/04/2011
Oil holds to gains after EIA inventories report
SAN FRANCISCO - Crude-oil futures held on to gains Wednesday after a weekly government report showed an increase in oil inventories, with prices ticking up immediately after the report but then trading lower than before the data. Analysts polled by Plat...
06/04/2011
WORLD FOREX: Euro Hits Fresh 11-Month High Vs Yen Ahead Of ECB
TOKYO - The euro rose to a fresh 11-month high in Asia Wednesday as short-term investors added to bets on the common currency ahead of a meeting Thursday of the European Central Bank, at which a rate hike is widely expected.
Dealers and analysts are ...
05/04/2011
Oil futures pull back from 30-month highs
SYDNEY - Benchmark Nymex crude-oil futures eased back in electronic trading on Tuesday, but prices remained at near 30-month highs as unrest in Libya and the Middle East continued to drive buying on supply fears....
05/04/2011
Bernanke: Commodity-driven inflation will pass
Fed chief says housing still major problem for economy
WASHINGTON - Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke on Monday evening said commodity prices are being driven primarily by global supply and demand and don't threaten a major acceleration of inflation....
04/04/2011
OIL FUTURES: Crude Futures Hold Above $108; US Payrolls Support
SINGAPORE - Crude-oil futures opened above the $108 mark in Asia Monday and held above this level as upbeat economic data released Friday reinforced the view that the U.S. economy is recovering and global oil demand will continue to grow even as supply t...
01/04/2011
Europe stocks open higher with banks in the lead
MADRID - European stocks opened higher on Friday, rebounding from the prior session's losses with support coming from the financial sector. The Stoxx Europe 600 index (ST:STOXX600 278.05, +2.15, +0.78%) rose 0.7% to 277.95, with Credit Agricole SA (FR:A...
31/03/2011
OIL FUTURES: Crude Rises As Pro-Gadhafi Forces Advance In Libya
SYDNEY - Crude-oil futures rose in Asia Thursday, as an advance by Libyan forces loyal to Col. Moammar Gadhafi raised the prospect of more air strikes, while a speech by the president of Syria looked likely to intensify tensions there.
On the New Yo...
30/03/2011
Private sector adds 201,000 jobs in March: ADP
WASHINGTON - Private-sector employment climbed 201,000 in March, according to Automatic Data Processing Inc.'s employment report released Wednesday in a preview of the more closely-followed government release later this week....
30/03/2011
European stocks climb in early trading
LONDON - European stock markets posted solid gains in early trading Wednesday after Japanese stocks rallied strongly, with banks, mining stocks and utilities all contributing to the gains. Among stocks in focus, shares of African Barrick Gold (UK:ABG 5...
29/03/2011
Europe stocks inch up; Wolseley, French banks lead
MADRID - European stock markets opened slightly firmer on Tuesday, with French banks higher and earnings news lifting individual U.K. stocks. The Stoxx Europe 600 index (ST:STOXX600 276.02, -0.22, -0.08%) was flat at 276.27. The FTSE 100 index (UK:UKX ...
28/03/2011
Disposable income in February falls as prices jump
PCE inflation rises 0.4%, most since July 2008
WASHINGTON - Real disposable income declined in February as consumer prices jumped by the largest amount in two-and-a-half-years, the Commerce Department reported Monday....
28/03/2011
European stocks open mixed, AstraZeneca rises
LONDON - European stock markets were mixed in early trading Monday, with pharmaceutical stocks among the early gainers, while banks were mostly lower. Shares in U.K. drug maker AstraZeneca PLC (UK:AZN 2,910, +34.50, +1.20%) (AZN 46.14, -0.03, -0.06%) ro...
25/03/2011
OIL FUTURES: Crude Steady In Asia; US Economic Growth In Focus
SINGAPORE - Crude-oil futures in Asia were steady Friday, as traders shifted their attention from tensions in the Middle East to focus on the slower pace of economic growth in the U.S., which could weigh on energy demand in the coming months.
U.S. dem...
24/03/2011
Weekly jobless claims down 5,000 to 382,000
WASHINGTON - First-time claims for unemployment benefits in the week ending March 19 fell 5,000 to 382,000, the Labor Department said Thursday, with the four-week moving average of 385,250 reaching the lowest level since July 2008. The claims were very c...
24/03/2011
WORLD FOREX: Euro Pares Gain On Debt Concern But Finds Support
("WORLD FOREX: Euro Pares Gain On Debt Concern But Finds Support," at 0533 GMT, misidentified the euro as the dollar in the fifth paragraph. The correct version follows:)
TOKYO - The euro pared earlier gains against the dollar in Asian trading Thurs...
23/03/2011
Sales of new U.S. homes tumble 16.9% to record low
WASHINGTON - Sales of new single-family homes collapsed in February, the Commerce Department reported Wednesday, as a combination of high unemployment, tumbling prices and a glut of cheaper alternatives brought activity to a near-standstill.
New-home...
23/03/2011
Euro-zone industrial orders see 0.1% rise in Jan.
LONDON - Industrial new orders in the euro zone saw a 0.1% monthly rise in January and were up 20.9% compared to the same month last year, the European Union statistics agency Eurostat reported Wednesday. Economists had forecast a 1% monthly rise and a 2...
23/03/2011
OIL FUTURES: Crude Mixed As U.S.-Led Air Strikes Ease In Libya
SINGAPORE - Crude-oil futures in Asia were mixed Wednesday as the pace of U.S.-led air strikes started to ease in Libya, with traders turning their attention toward U.S. oil inventory data and political unrest elsewhere in North Africa and the Middle E...
22/03/2011
European stocks edge up in early trading
LONDON - European stocks edged higher in a subdued start to trading Tuesday, following three straight sessions of gains. Among stocks in focus, German retailer Metro AG (DE:MEO 49.78, -0.27, -0.54%) rose 0.6% after reporting a rise in fourth-quarter pr...
21/03/2011
Gold futures rise sharply to nearly $1,430/oz
LONDON - Gold futures rose early Monday, as investors were attracted by the precious metal's appeal as a store of value. Gold for April delivery (GCJ11 1,432, +15.40, +1.09%) gained $12.40 to $1,428.50 an ounce in electronic trading on Globex. The cont...
21/03/2011
OIL FUTURES: Crude Surges By $2/Bbl After Libya Air Strikes
SINGAPORE - Crude-oil futures surged as much as $2 a barrel during morning trade in Asia after United Nations-sanctioned air strikes pounded Libya's air defenses over the weekend, prompting concerns that a prolonged conflict could lead to oil supply dis...
18/03/2011
Oil futures rise on Libyan no-fly zone order
SYDNEY - Crude oil futures jumped in electronic trading on Friday as the United Nations approved a no-fly zone over Libya, sparking fresh fears about the future of the war-torn nation.
Light, sweet crude for April delivery (CLJ11 103.03, +1.61, +1.59...
18/03/2011
Tokyo stocks ride high on G-7 resolve, Tepco jumps
Hopes that radiation leak may be contained supports gains
HONG KONG - Japanese shares advanced Friday as the yen weakened on the Group of Seven's avowed intervention to curb the currency's strength and hopes that further radiation leakage may be contained at the damaged Fukushima nuclear power plant....
17/03/2011
Initial jobless claims drop to 385,000 last week: U.S
WASHINGTON - New applications for state jobless benefits fell by 16,000 last week to 385,000, keeping initial claims at a level usually associated with a modest pace of hiring, U.S. data showed Thursday....
17/03/2011
European stocks rebound in early trading
Autos, miners lead Thursday gains; EADS up on Lufthansa order
MADRID - European stock markets were rebounding early Thursday, an attempt to bounce back from heavy losses in the prior session and end a six-day losing streak, with automotive and mining shares lending a hand....
16/03/2011
US Stock Futures Struggle On Japan, Middle East Concerns
NEW YORK - U.S. stock futures struggled for direction Wednesday as investors continued to eye Japan's nuclear crisis and increasing violence in Bahrain, while digesting the steepest monthly drop in housing starts in nearly 27 years.
Dow Jones Industria...
16/03/2011
European stocks climb after Japan rebounds
LONDON - European stock markets moved modestly higher Wednesday, recovering some of the previous session's heavy losses after a rebound for Japanese shares. Among stocks on the move, reinsurance giant Munich Re (DE:MUV2 108.50, +4.20, +4.03%) rose 3.1%...
15/03/2011
Retail stocks drop, led by Tiffany, Brown Shoe
NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- Retail stocks extended their decline with the broader global markets as the crisis in Japan deepened, raising concerns about consumer spending in the world's third-largest economy and the largest luxury-goods market. Luxury jewel...
15/03/2011
Oil slides as radiation threatens Japan
SYDNEY Oil futures fell in electronic trading on Tuesday, as the threat of a large radiation leak in Japan prompted investors to dump riskier assets.
Light sweet crude-oil futures for April delivery (CLJ11 99.35, -1.84, -1.82%) dropped $2.19 to $99.96 ...
14/03/2011
OIL FUTURES: Crude Testing $99/Bbl Support On Japan Demand Worries
SINGAPORE - Crude futures fell below $100 a barrel and were testing support at $99 in Asian trading Monday due to concerns about demand disruption in Japan following the massive earthquake.
On the New York Mercantile Exchange, light, sweet crude futu...
11/03/2011
March 11, 2011, 2:12 a.m. EST
OIL FUTURES: Crude Falls On Economic News; Focus On Saudi, Libya
SINGAPORE - Crude-oil futures slipped in Asia Friday after a slew of weak economic news, but traders remained cautions ahead of antigovernment protests in Saudi Arabia that could quickly tip sentiment in the oil market.
China reported a faster-than-ex...
10/03/2011
European stocks drop in early trading
LONDON - European stock markets dropped in early trading Thursday as oil prices moved higher, and after Moody's Investors Service cut its rating on Spanish sovereign debt. Among stocks on the move, shares in U.K. insurance and investments group Standard...
09/03/2011
European stocks open mixed; EADS , Rolls-Royce up
MADRID - European stock markets opened mixed on Wednesday, with EADS NV (FR:EAD 20.62, +0.78, +3.93%) up 4.1% after results and Rolls-Royce Group PLC (UK:RR. 611.00, +10.50, +1.75%) gaining on joint venture news. Tullow Oil PLC (UK:TLW 1,421, -39.00, -...
09/03/2011
Oil drifts lower on supply hopes
SYDNEY - Oil futures drifted lower in Asian trading hours Wednesday, although the benchmark Nymex contract remained firmly over the $100-a-barrel mark amid ongoing unrest in the Middle East....
08/03/2011
Europe stocks rise as oil prices pull back
Volkswagen, BT Group rise on broker upgrades; Greek stocks slide
MADRID - European markets were trading higher on Tuesday, led by telecom and auto stocks, with investors cheered by a respite in the soaring price of crude oil....
08/03/2011
OIL FUTURES: Crude Retreats From Record; Focus Still On Libya
SINGAPORE - Crude-oil futures fell in Asia Tuesday, as investors took some profits off the table amid reports that Libya's Col. Moammar Gadhafi may relinquish power, which could ease tensions across the oil-rich region.
As forces loyal to Gadhafi c...
07/03/2011
Gold extends gains in electronic trading
SYDNEY - Gold futures advanced on Monday, extending gains made last week, as unrest continued to roil the Middle East and North Africa.
Gold for April delivery (GCJ11 1,438, +9.40, +0.66%) rose $7.80 an ounce to $1,436.30 in electronic trading Monda...
04/03/2011
Feb. nonfarm payroll up 192,000, job rate 8.9%
WASHINGTON - Job growth accelerated in February and the unemployment rate fell for the third straight month, the Labor Department said Friday. Total nonfarm payrolls increased by 192,000 in February. This was slightly lower than the 218,000 gain expected...
04/03/2011
WORLD FOREX: Euro Pares Gains Made After Hawkish ECB Comments
TOKYO - The euro fell slightly against the dollar in Asian trading Friday, trimming sharp gains made Thursday after hawkish comments from the European Central Bank, as some traders took profits on the view that the ECB won't embark on a sustained serie...
03/03/2011
OIL FUTURES: Crude Down Sharply On Libya Peace Commission Rumor
SYDNEY - Crude-oil futures fell in Asia Thursday, after rumors circulated that Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi has accepted a proposal by Venezuela to create a multinational commission to mediate the crisis.
On the New York Mercantile Exchange, light...
03/03/2011
Muni-bond market looking brighter, Bernanke says
WASHINGTON - Federal Reserve Board Chairman Ben Bernanke said late Wednesday that while state and local governments will face budget challenges for some time to come, the outlook in the municipal-bond market has grown a bit brighter....
02/03/2011
European shares open lower
LONDON - European shares opened lower on Wednesday as investors continued to fret over the unrest in the Mideast and North Africa and oil hovered just below $100 a barrel in Globex electronic trading. The Europe Stoxx 600 (ST:STOXX600 282.63, -2.00, -0....
01/03/2011
Stocks revert to losses after short ISM lift
SAN FRANCISCO - U.S. stocks only got a brief lift Tuesday after the release of a February manufacturing survey and testimony from Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, and the major indexes quickly turned lower. ...
01/03/2011
Futures rise, with data, Bernanke in focus
Sonus Networks jumps in premarket trade
MADRID - U.S. stock futures rose on Tuesday, as worries about political unrest in the Middle East eased, while data from China also commanded attention and markets awaited comments from Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke....
01/03/2011
OIL FUTURES: Crude Rises But Off Highs As Saudi Pledges Supply
SINGAPORE - Crude oil futures rose Tuesday in Asia but remained off highs in recent trading sessions as producers such as Saudi Arabia moved in to cover Libya's oil production shortfall.
"The markets voted straight up and down for the Saudis to come th...
28/02/2011
OIL FUTURES: Crude Spikes As Much As $2/Bbl On Mideast Unrest
SINGAPORE - Crude-oil futures spiked in Asia Monday, with prices rising more than $2 a barrel in early trade as investors grew more concerned that political turmoil in the Middle East would lead to disruptions in oil supply.
Oman's ruler Sunday orde...
25/02/2011
European stocks on pace to snap losing streak
EADS, Lloyds Banking Group and Deutsche Telekom all in decline
LONDON - European bourses rose on Friday as the price of oil hovered below $100 a barrel, but turmoil in Libya continued to fuel uncertainty over supplies and weigh on investors' sentiment as a rocky week for equities drew toward a close....
25/02/2011
U.S. stock futures point higher; oil stabilizes
Boeing up in preopen trade after winning Air Force contract
MADRID - Wall Street on Friday looked set to build on an attempt at a recovery late in the prior session as oil prices stabilized, and as investors turned their attention to economic reports due later....
24/02/2011
Oil soars above $102 a barrel on Libya fears
Brent crude rallies above $117 a barrel on ICE Futures exchange
LONDON - Oil futures extended their rally Thursday, with the April contract surging above $102 a barrel, as investors spooked by supply disruptions in Libya bid the price of crude higher....
23/02/2011
OIL FUTURES: Crude Rises Further; All Eyes On Libya
SINGAPORE - Crude futures rose slightly in thin trade in Asia Wednesday, as unrest in Libya showed no sighs of abating after its ports were shut, disrupting supply from the producing country.
On the New York Mercantile Exchange, light, sweet crude ...
22/02/2011
OIL FUTURES: Crude Near 28-Month Highs On Libyan Supply Cuts
SINGAPORE - Crude futures surged to around the highest levels since October 2008 in Asia Tuesday, as Libyan production falls amid violent protests and heavy crackdowns and other Middle Eastern producers seem unlikely to make up the difference.
On th...
22/02/2011
Earthquake hits New Zealand city of Christchurch
SYDNEY - New Zealand's currency and stocks dropped after an earthquake with a magnitude of 6.3 shook its second-largest city of Christchurch on Tuesday, the second major quake to hit the region in just under six months....
21/02/2011
Oil futures gain as Libya tensions rise
Unrest continues in other parts of Middle East, North Africa
LONDON - Crude futures rallied Monday, with the Brent benchmark topping $104 a barrel, as violent political unrest in Libya raised worries about a potential disruption in oil supplies from the North African nation....
21/02/2011
OIL FUTURES: Crude Up On Libya Unrest, Weak Dlr Amid Thin Trade
SINGAPORE - Crude futures rose to a near-10-day high in Asia Monday, as unrest in Libya intensified and the U.S. dollar appeared to be pressured by European and Chinese monetary policy.
On the New York Mercantile Exchange, light, sweet crude futures ...
18/02/2011
Bernanke defends QE2 as G-20 gathers in Paris
WASHINGTON - Stung by criticism about the negative spillover effects of the Fed's $600 billion bond-buying program on the global economy, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke issued a strong defense of the Fed's innovative monetary policy on Friday as...
18/02/2011
WORLD FOREX: Euro Little Changed, Focus On U.K. Retail Sales
TOKYO - The euro was little changed against the dollar and yen Friday in Asia as investors stood on the sidelines ahead of the release of a key U.K. economic indicator later in the global day.
Market participants will be paying attention to U.K. re...
17/02/2011
WORLD FOREX: Euro Marks 3-Week High Vs Yen, But Risks Eyed
TOKYO - The euro rose to near a three-week high against the yen in Asia Thursday as the rise in Japanese equities following gains on Wall Street Wednesday encouraged investors to buy the risk-sensitive common currency.
Traders said growing confidenc...
16/02/2011
January producer prices rise 0.8%; core up 0.5%
WASHINGTON - U.S. wholesale prices jumped 0.8% in January as gasoline costs rose again, the government reported Wednesday. And core producer prices, which exclude the volatile food and energy categories, rose 0.5%, marking the largest increase since O...
16/02/2011
OIL FUTURES: Crude Rises In Asia; U.S. Inventory Data Awaited
SINGAPORE - Oil futures rose in Asia Wednesday, recovering somewhat after a steep decline overnight as the market awaits the official U.S. crude and product inventory report.
On the New York Mercantile Exchange, light, sweet crude futures for delive...
15/02/2011
U.S. January import prices rise 1.5%
WASHINGTON - Prices of goods imported into the United States increased 1.5% in January, the Labor Department reported Tuesday. Fuel-import prices rose 3.9%, led by petroleum and natural gas. Prices for non-fuel imports rose 0.8%. Import prices are up ...
15/02/2011
U.S. retail sales increase 0.3% in January
WASHINGTON - Sales at U.S. retail stores rose 0.3% in January to mark the seventh straight monthly gain, but the increase was the lowest since last summer, according to the latest Commerce Department data. Sales excluding the volatile auto segment w...
15/02/2011
Germany's growth slows in fourth quarter
French economic growth disappoints
LONDON - The German economy, Europe's biggest, continued to grow in the fourth quarter but at a much slower pace, according to official data released Tuesday....
15/02/2011
OIL FUTURES: Crude Higher; Mideast Unrest, China Data Support
SINGAPORE - Crude-oil futures rose in Asia Tuesday after China reported milder-than-expected inflation, somewhat easing concerns over further monetary tightening by Beijing and its impact on crude demand.
Sentiment for crude-oil prices was already ...
14/02/2011
Crude oil drifts lower after Egypt turmoil
NEW YORK - Crude oil futures drifted lower Monday, as investors looked past the recent turmoil in Egypt and weighed the political fallout in the rest of the Arab world. "The market is confused as to what to do," said Joe Kinahan, chief derivatives strat...
14/02/2011
WORLD FOREX: Dollar Falls As Japan Exporters Sell; Downside Limited
TOKYO - The dollar fell against the yen Monday in Asia as the greenback's ascent Friday to a one-month high lured aggressive selling by Japanese exporters keen to settle accounts.
Still, not many Tokyo dealers believe the U.S. currency will keep fall...
11/02/2011
Treasury eyes wind-down to smaller Fannie, Freddie
WASHINGTON - A large part of troubled mortgage refinance giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac should be wound down over time while the fees they charge for guaranteeing mortgages sold to investors are increased to slowly ease the private sector back into...
11/02/2011
OIL FUTURES: Crude Rallies In Asia As Egypt Jitters Intensify
SYDNEY - Crude oil futures rose in Asian trading Friday, rallying on a defiant speech by Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak that signaled instability in the Middle Eastern country could continue for some time.
On the New York Mercantile Exchange, light,...
10/02/2011
Weekly U.S. jobless claims drop 36,000
WASHINGTON - New applications for regular state unemployment-insurance benefits fell 36,000 to a seasonally adjusted 383,000 in the week ended Feb. 5, hitting the lowest level since July of 2008, the Labor Department reported Thursday. Economists polled...
10/02/2011
Bank of England leaves rates on hold
Decision may have been close call amid inflation fears, economists say
LONDON - The Bank of England, as expected, made no changes in its monetary policy on Thursday, but economists say the decision may have been a close call.
The Monetary Policy Committee left its key lending rate at a record low 0.5%, where it’s stood...
10/02/2011
OIL FUTURES: Crude Up In Asia, WTI-Brent Spread Near Record
SYDNEY - Crude-oil futures edged higher in Asia Thursday, with traders continuing to drive a wedge between prices of West Texas Intermediate crude and other benchmark grades due to concerns over large oil inventories in the U.S. Midwest.
On the Ne...
09/02/2011
OIL FUTURES: Crude Futures Rebound Despite China Rate Increase
SYDNEY - Crude oil futures rebounded in Asia Wednesday from a seven-session low overnight, as traders took cues from China's action to tame inflation rather than fret about the potential hit to the country's oil demand.
On the New York Mercantile E...
08/02/2011
Wall Street meanders after China hikes rates
NEW YORK - U.S. stocks on Tuesday retreated from multiyear highs as investors considered the implications of China’s latest move to curb inflation and the most recent round of corporate earnings....
08/02/2011
OIL FUTURES: Crude Mixed As Traders Seek Cues; US Inventory Data Awaited
TOKYO - Crude-oil futures were mixed Tuesday in Asia, with contracts in New York and London moving between negative and positive territory as traders sought new cues as the political unrest in Egypt shows signs of easing.
On the New York Mercantile ...
07/02/2011
WORLD FOREX: Euro Up Vs Yen, Dollar On Strong Stocks; Eyes On Trichet
TOKYO - The euro rose against the yen and the dollar in Asia Monday as generally stronger regional equities encouraged buying of the risk-sensitive common currency, which also benefited from bargain hunting following falls in New York on Friday.
For ...
04/02/2011
Dollar gains, Treasurys fall more after payrolls
NEW YORK - The U.S. dollar turned up and Treasury prices extended a decline on Friday after the U.S. Labor Department said the economy added 36,000 jobs in January. Economists surveyed by MarketWatch expected the U.S. to add 140,000 jobs to nonfarm pay...
04/02/2011
Jan jobless rate falls to 9.0%, payroll up 36,000
WASHINGTON - The U.S. unemployment rate fell unexpectedly to 9.0% in January, a 21-month low as nonfarm payrolls rose by 36,000, the Labor Department estimated Friday. The 36,000 increase in payrolls was much lower than market expectations of a 140,000...
04/02/2011
Japan leads Asia higher on merger, earnings news
HONG KONG - Most Asian markets were higher in Friday afternoon trade, with Japanese stocks leading the way, as a proposed merger between Nippon Steel Corp. and Sumitomo Metal Industries Ltd. lifted hopes for more consolidation. The Nikkei Stock Average ...
03/02/2011
Weekly U.S. jobless claims drop 42,000
WASHINGTON - New applications for unemployment benefits fell last week by 42,000 to 415,000, reversing most of the increase from the prior week, according to Labor Department data. Economists polled by MarketWatch had expected initial claims in the week ...
03/02/2011
ECB holds rates; eyes on Trichet
ECB chief expected to maintain anti-inflation tone
LONDON - The European Central Bank left its key lending rate unchanged at a record low 1% on Thursday, offering no surprises and leaving investors to focus on ECB President Jean-Claude Trichet's monthly news conference amid rising inflation concerns.
...
02/02/2011
Oil up 1%, gold trims loss as Egypt clashes worsen
SAN FRANCISCO - Reports of intensifying clashes between Egypt's regime supporters and detractors pushed oil higher and made gold pare its losses in midmorning trade Wednesday. Crude for March delivery (CLH11 91.39, +0.62, +0.68%) rose 89 cents, or 1%, to ...
02/02/2011
WORLD FOREX: Euro, UK Pound Hit Fresh Multi-Month Highs Vs Dollar
TOKYO - The euro and British pound rose to fresh multi-month highs against the dollar in Asia Wednesday, as strong regional equities prodded investors to buy the risk-sensitive currencies. The gains were supported by speculation that rising inflation in ...
01/02/2011
OIL FUTURES: Nymex Crude Marginally Down; Uncertainty Over Egypt
SINGAPORE - Nymex crude oil futures were a tad lower Tuesday, while Brent prices fell, reflecting uncertainty over whether political unrest in Egypt would have any impact on the global supply of crude oil.
"Although we've seen a certain degree of eas...
31/01/2011
Fed buys $7.72 bln in Treasurys; bonds slip again
NEW YORK - The Federal Reserve Bank of New York bought $7.72 billion in Treasury debt on Monday, adding to the $351 billion the central bank has bought already since August. The buybacks are part of the Fed's second round of quantitative easing to keep ...
31/01/2011
WORLD FOREX: Euro Likely To Fall Further On Egyptian Turmoil
TOKYO - The euro fell against the dollar and yen Monday in Asia as investors dumped the risk-sensitive currency on fears that ongoing political turmoil in Egypt could spread to its oil-producing Arabian neighbors.
In Cairo, anti-government protester...
28/01/2011
OIL FUTURES: Nymex-Brent Spread Widens To More Than $12/Bb
SINGAPORE - Nymex crude oil futures in Asia were lower Friday, extending losses from earlier in U.S. trading, but Brent crude prices rose, widening the spread between the two grades to more than $12 a barrel.
"We're in unprecedented territory with th...
27/01/2011
European stocks hold in tight range
LONDON - European stock markets held in a tight range in early trading Thursday as investors stayed mostly on the sidelines after solid gains in the previous session. Among stocks on the move, shares in Swedish fashion retailer Hennes & Mauritz (SE:HM...
26/01/2011
Fed leaves rates, QE2 unchanged
WASHINGTON - The Federal Reserve's Open Market Committee on Wednesday made no policy changes, holding its key interest rate at historic low range of 0% to 0.25% and continuing on course with its $600 billion program of Treasury purchases. The decision...
26/01/2011
Oil turns lower after surprise supply increase
SAN FRANCISCO - Crude-oil futures turned lower Wednesday after a larger-than-expected increase in inventories. Crude for March delivery (CLH11 86.28, +0.09, +0.10%) was off 16 cents, or 0.2%, to $86.03 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. It ...
26/01/2011
New home sales climb to 329,000 rate in December
WASHINGTON - Sales of new single-family homes rose in December to an annual rate of 329,000 on a seasonally adjusted basis, the highest level since April when a federal tax credit gave the market a temporary boost. About 85% of the new sales took place ...
26/01/2011
European markets rise in early trading
LONDON - European stock markets rose in early trading Wednesday following gains for most Asian markets and after President Obama used his State of the Union speech to call for a freeze on domestic discretionary spending and a lower corporate tax rate. ...
26/01/2011
Dollar slips after Obama calls for spending freeze
TOKYO - The U.S. dollar slipped against most major rivals in Asian trading Wednesday, pressured by expectations of a further fall in Treasury yields after President Barack Obama called for a five-year freeze on domestic discretionary spending....
25/01/2011
Stock futures slip ahead of economic data
DuPont, Verizon and Travelers post results; crude, gold futures down
LONDON - U.S. stock futures fell on Tuesday after the previous session's rally, as investors digested a flood of high-profile earnings report and awaited data on consumer confidence and housing prices....
25/01/2011
WORLD FOREX: Euro Rises Vs Dollar, EFSF Bond Sales Eyed
TOKYO - The euro gained against the dollar in Asia Tuesday as firm share prices in most Asian markets buoyed risk sentiment, while expectations grew that the European Central Bank may raise interest rates ahead of the U.S. and Japan, benefiting the co...
24/01/2011
WORLD FOREX: Dollar Up Slightly Vs Yen, Euro; Euro-Zone Data Eyed
TOKYO - The dollar gained moderately against the yen and euro in Asia Monday due to buying from Japanese importers and regional hedge funds following a fall in the U.S. currency late last week.
Dealers said trade was quiet and that investors are foc...
21/01/2011
WORLD FOREX: Euro Rises Vs Majors As China Equities Rebound
TOKYO - The euro rose against other major currencies Friday as a rally in Chinese share prices prodded short-term investors to buy the risk-sensitive common currency, although dealers said sharper gains will likely be limited by speculation that China...
20/01/2011
Oil pares decline after EIA inventories report
SAN FRANCISCO - Crude-oil futures trimmed their decline Thursday after a weekly inventories report came roughly within expectations. Crude for February delivery retreated $2.49, or 2.8%, to $88.37 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. It had tr...
20/01/2011
Natural gas adds to gains after inventories report
SAN FRANCISCO - Natural-gas futures added to gains Thursday after a government report showed a larger-than-expected decline in the nation's supplies of the product for the week ended Jan. 14. Natural gas for February delivery
(NGG11 4.66, +0.10, +2.15...
20/01/2011
Jobless claims, Morgan Stanley in focus
THURSDAY MORNING'S TOP STORIES
U.S. stock futures pared losses after the release of data on weekly jobless claims, which fell by 37,000 last week to 404,000.
Read Indications for more U.S. market action.| Read more about employment data....
20/01/2011
OIL FUTURES: Crude Tad Lower; China Data Boost Sentiment
SINGAPORE - Crude oil futures traded lower in Asia Thursday despite some encouraging economic numbers out of China boosting market sentiment, as traders remained cautious ahead of U.S. economic and oil data due later in the global day.
On the New Yo...
19/01/2011
December U.S. housing starts fall; permits surge
WASHINGTON - Construction of new U.S. homes fell 4.3% to an annualized rate of 529,000 in December, but permits jumped 16.7%, the Commerce Department reported Wednesday. Economists had expected housing starts in December to drop to 545,000 on a season...
19/01/2011
WORLD FOREX: Dollar Falls Broadly After Record-Low Setting Vs Yuan
TOKYO - The dollar fell broadly in Asia Wednesday after being set at a record low against the yuan ahead of talks between the U.S. and Chinese presidents widely expected to touch on U.S. demands that Beijing let its currency rise faster.
Chinese Pre...
18/01/2011
Dollar trades lower; euro extends gains
LONDON - The U.S. dollar lost ground versus most major rivals Tuesday, while the euro extended gains as data showed German investor confidence remained on the rise and sovereign-debt worries on the periphery of the euro zone eased....
18/01/2011
Futures gain ahead of Citigroup earnings
Apple shares fall on news Jobs will take medical leave
LONDON - U.S. stock futures were mostly higher on Tuesday ahead of Citigroup Inc.'s earnings report, while Apple Inc.'s shares fell in premarket trading, weighing on the technology sector....
18/01/2011
OIL FUTURES: Nymex Crude Falls As Trans Alaska Pipeline Restarts
SINGAPORE - Nymex crude oil futures fell in Asian trade Tuesday amid mixed regional equities after a major pipeline in Alaska was restarted, restoring crude-oil supplies to the world's largest oil consumer.
Relatively bullish Brent crude futures on...
17/01/2011
OIL FUTURES: Nymex Crude Falls On Dollar Strength; Brent Steady
TOKYO - Crude-oil futures were mixed Monday in Asia with light, sweet crude futures at the New York Mercantile Exchange falling on the back of a stronger dollar against euro, while Brent crude contracts at ICE Futures were nearly unchanged, with front-...
14/01/2011
December industrial production up 0.8%
WASHINGTON - Industrial production accelerated to an 0.8% rise in December after a 0.3% gain in November, the Federal Reserve said. The rate of change for industrial production was revised down in November but revised up in September and October; the ...
14/01/2011
Gold futures slump as European debt worries ease
NEW YORK - Gold futures fell more than 1% on Friday, as comments from European leaders helped eased immediate concerns about sovereign debt in the region. U.S. reports that showed consumer prices rising in line with expectations in December, while retail...
14/01/2011
Dollar takes back some lost ground vs. euro
TOKYO - The dollar pared losses against its European counterpart in Asian trading on Friday, after the euro's overnight gains.
The single currency had rallied Thursday after European Central Bank chief Jean-Claude Trichet signaled policy makers stood...
13/01/2011
U.S. stocks open lower as joblessness rises
NEW YORK - U.S. stocks opened lower on Thursday, as a jump in weekly jobless claims fueled concerns about the economy, offsetting a more upbeat sovereign debt picture in Europe....
13/01/2011
Applications for U.S. jobless benefits rise
New claims jump 35,000 to 445,000; paperwork delays cited
WASHINGTON - The number of U.S. workers who filed new applications for jobless benefits jumped 35,000 last week to 445,000, the highest level in more than two months, as a government official attributed the sharp increase largely to administrative backlo...
13/01/2011
Euro slips vs. dollar ahead of Spain, Italy auctions
TOKYO - The euro gave back some of its overnight gains against the dollar in Asian trading Thursday, ahead of Spain and Italy’s debt auctions later in the day....
12/01/2011
Labor market is firming, Fed Beige Book finds
WASHINGTON - There are signs that the U.S. labor market at long last may be healing, according to the latest report on economic conditions across the country released Wednesday by the Federal Reserve Board.
"Labor markets in most districts appear ...
12/01/2011
Fed's Fisher against any QE2 expansion
WASHINGTON - The Federal Reserve should not expand its current $600 billion bond purchase program, said Richard Fisher, the president of the Dallas Federal Reserve Bank on Wednesday...
12/01/2011
Gold surprises with comeback, ends higher
SAN FRANCISCO - Gold futures staged a late-session comeback and ended in the black Wednesday after posting losses most of the session. Gold for February delivery rose $1.50, or 0.1%, to $1,385.80 an ounce on the Comex division of the New York Mercantil...
12/01/2011
Crude futures rise on easing Europe concerns
Grain futures rally after USDA's crop outlook report
NEW YORK - Crude-oil futures rose on Wednesday, tracking broad market optimism over European sovereign debt issues after Portugal was successful in a closely watched bond sale....
12/01/2011
Spanish, Italian stocks rally ahead of auction
Bank stocks surge, with Portuguese debt auction in spotlight
LONDON - European stocks rallied Wednesday, with the Spanish market surging nearly 4% ahead of a crucial government debt auction in Portugal....
11/01/2011
Japan proves a balm for European stocks
Banks get a broker boost; Portugal’s PSI 20 up over 1%
MADRID - European stocks rose on Tuesday, led by banks as tensions in the region eased after Japan said it plans to buy debt issued by the European Financial Stability Facility....
10/01/2011
U.S. stock futures fall; Alcoa results in focus
DuPont to acquire Danisco; Duke Energy, Progress Energy to merge
LONDON - U.S. stock futures dropped following declines in Asian and European markets, with aluminum giant Alcoa Inc. set to kick off the fourth-quarter earnings season after the close of trading Monday....
10/01/2011
WORLD FOREX: Euro Claws Back From 4-Month Low On China Reserves Comment
SYDNEY - The euro remained under pressure in Asian trading Monday but clawed back from an early drop to a four-month low on fresh signs that China will keep buying the single currency.
The common currency faced selling on expectations of further turm...
07/01/2011
Bernanke sees signs of self-sustaining growth
Repeats call for credible plan to cut deficit
WASHINGTON - Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke was slightly more optimistic about the economic outlook in his first appearance before the new Congress on Friday but gave no hint he is ready to back off of the controversial $600 billion bond-buying p...
07/01/2011
U.S. jobless rate falls to 9.4% in December
Economy adds 103,000 jobs
WASHINGTON - The U.S. economy added 103,000 jobs in the final month of 2010 while the nation’s unemployment rate fell to 9.4%, the lowest level since May 2009, the Labor Department reported Friday.
Payrolls for November and October were also revis...
07/01/2011
WORLD FOREX: Euro Hits 4-Month Low Vs Dollar On Debt Concerns
TOKYO - The euro sank to a four-month low against the dollar Friday in Asia as lingering debt concerns prompted investors to cut their holdings of the currency ahead of next week, when some European nations will issue new sovereign bonds.
During ear...
06/01/2011
Coming up: Weekly jobless claims
WASHINGTON - The Labor Department is slated to release reports on weekly jobless claims at 8:30 a.m. Eastern. Economists surveyed by MarketWatch expect claims in the week ended Jan. 1 to rise by 12,000 to 400,000. New filings for unemployment benefits f...
06/01/2011
Dollar gains on Aussie in Asian trading
TOKYO - The U.S. dollar gained against its Australian counterpart in Thursday's Asian trading, as confidence about Australia's growth prospects waned....
05/01/2011
Treasury give up gains after ADP data
NEW YORK - Treasury prices turned down on Wednesday, pushing yields higher, after a report from ADP said private employment jumped 297,000 in the U.S last month, almost triple what economists had expected....
05/01/2011
Asian Shares Down, Resources Still Depressed
SINGAPORE - Asian stock markets were mostly lower Wednesday, with resource stocks losing ground due to weakness in gold and oil prices Tuesday.
Japan's Nikkei Stock Average was off 0.2%, Australia's S&P/ASX 200 was down 0.7%, South Korea's Kospi Comp...
04/01/2011
German unemployment sees unexpected December rise
LONDON - The number of unemployed German workers rose by a seasonally-adjusted 3,000 in December, Germany's federal labor office reported Tuesday. Economists had forecast a decline of 13,000 in December, following a drop of 8,000 in November. The seasona...
03/01/2011
Asian Shares Kick Off 2011 With Healthy Gains
SINGAPORE - Asian stock markets kicked off the year with a healthy start, rising across the board on hopes the global economic recovery will continue in 2011.
"In the first half of 2011, I expect the U.S. stocks to continue to do well on the economic ...
31/12/2010
Europe stocks mixed on year’s last session
Thin volumes in half-day session
LONDON - European bourses opened mixed on Friday as investors prepared to say farewell to what has generally been a solid year for equities....
30/12/2010
WORLD FOREX: Dollar Falls Broadly On Decline in US Bond Yields
TOKYO - The U.S. dollar fell broadly against its major rivals and most regional currencies in Asia Thursday, as U.S. bond yields fell overnight following strong demand at a seven-year auction, with the moves exaggerated by the thin market.
The dollar...
29/12/2010
More firms say they’ll hire in 2011
A survey of employers finds them more optimistic, but wage growth will be mild
WASHINGTON - More firms said they plan to hire full-time, permanent workers in 2011 than did this year, but wage growth likely will remain modest, according to data released Wednesday by job site CareerBuilder.com....
28/12/2010
OIL FUTURES: Crude Falls But May Rally On Dollar Weakness
SINGAPORE - Crude-oil futures drifted back toward its overnight settlement level from 0.4% gains reached earlier in Asia Tuesday, and poised to rise again on the back of dollar weakness, after the U.S. dollar fell to a three-week low against the Japanese...
27/12/2010
Wall Street falters on China's rate hike
NEW YORK - U.S. stocks on Monday fell, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average retreating from a 26-month high, as Wall Street reacted to China's interest-rate hike during the holiday weekend...
27/12/2010
Europe stocks follow Asia south after China hike
MADRID - European stock markets opened mostly weaker on Monday, though volumes remained thin with London markets closed until Wednesday. Stocks followed Asia lower in the wake of Saturday's interest-rate hike from China. The Stoxx Europe 600 index...
23/12/2010
U.S. stock futures remain modestly off after data
NEW YORK - U.S. stock futures on Thursday retained mild losses after economic data that included a drop in weekly jobless claims and personal income and spending both up in November. Futures for the Dow Jones Industrial Average were off 9 points at 11,4...
23/12/2010
European stocks advance in thin trade
Allied Irish Banks off 6% amid cash-injection reports
MADRID - European stock markets were trading mostly higher amid thin volumes ahead of the Christmas break, while shares of Allied Irish Banks PLC plunged on expectations of a major government cash injection....
22/12/2010
WORLD FOREX: Euro Hits 3-Week Low Vs Yen, All-Time Low Vs Franc
TOKYO - The euro fell to a three-week low against the yen Wednesday in Asia due to lingering investor concerns over European sovereign debt problems.
The single currency fell to Y109.55 earlier in the day, its lowest level since Dec. 1, and touched a...
21/12/2010
WORLD FOREX: Euro Gains Vs Dollar As China Backs EU Actions
TOKYO - The euro rose against the dollar and the yen in Asian trading Tuesday after a top Chinese official offered endorsement for the measures being taken by European officials to stabilize their financial markets.
The yen, meanwhile, was locked in a...
20/12/2010
RBS and Diageo shares gain in higher London
British Airways drops as severe winter weather disrupts flights
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AstraZeneca slumps, leads London lower
First Take ›
The Countrywide albatross at B of A
LONDON - London’s benchmark stock index rose on Monday, buoyed by gains for Royal Bank of Scotland Group, while British Airways fell as severe winter weather disrupted numerous flights in Europe....
20/12/2010
WORLD FOREX: Dollar Steady, Korean Won Rebounds After Pyongyang Report
TOKYO - The dollar was steady against other major currencies Monday, but the South Korean won bounced back from a one-month low against the U.S. unit following a report that North Korea has agreed to let United Nations nuclear inspectors back into the c...
17/12/2010
Banks lead European markets lower
AstraZeneca drops; SAP rises on back of Oracle results
LONDON - European stocks slipped Friday as disappointment over the European Union’s response to the debt crisis, a downgrade of Ireland’s credit rating and heavy losses for pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca PLC all contributed to the decline....
17/12/2010
U.S. House approves extending Bush-era tax cuts
WASHINGTON - House lawmakers approved a two-year across-the-board extension of Bush-era tax cuts just before midnight on Thursday, capping off weeks of furious debate and ensuring that rates won't rise on virtually all Americans come Jan. 1. The bill, a...
16/12/2010
U.S. housing starts rise 3.9% in November
WASHINGTON - Construction of new U.S. homes rose 3.9% to a seasonally adjusted annualized rate of 555,000 in November, the Commerce Department reported Thursday. The November rate matched forecasts from analysts polled by MarketWatch. Housing starts for...
16/12/2010
WORLD FOREX: Dollar Consolidates Gains; Yields May Support
TOKYO - The dollar consolidated recent gains in Asian trading Thursday, while the euro had a respite from its sharp fall the day before after Moody's Investors Service warned it may downgrade Spain's sovereign debt ratings.
The dollar was at Y84.26 as...
15/12/2010
US Stock Futures Remain In Red As Euro-Zone Woes Outweigh US Data
NEW YORK - U.S. stock futures fell Wednesday morning despite data showing inflation remains tame while New York manufacturing conditions improved, as worries over the euro zone returned to the forefront.
Dow Jones Industrial Average futures were recen...
15/12/2010
Spain leads European markets lower
LONDON - European stock markets fell Wednesday, with Spanish stocks leading the decline after Moody's Investors Service put the country's Aa1 rating on review for a possible downgrade, citing high refinancing needs in 2011 as one of the triggers for the...
14/12/2010
US Stocks Climb, Lifting DJIA To 2-Year Intraday High; DJIA Up 70
NEW YORK - U.S. stocks rose Tuesday, lifting the Dow Jones Industrial Average to its highest intraday level in more than two years, as data showing growth in U.S. retail sales and business sales boosted investors' outlook on the economy.
The Dow rose...
14/12/2010
Credit Suisse raises '11 oil price target to $85
MADRID - Credit Suisse on Tuesday lifted its 2011 oil price target to $85 a barrel to reflect a recovery in OECD demand, notably in North America, and continued non-OECD strength, chiefly Asia. In late September, the investment bank cut its oil price ta...
13/12/2010
Dionex, JDS Uniphase, Ness Technologies
NEW YORK - Shares of the following companies were among those making notable moves in the U.S. stock market Monday...
13/12/2010
OIL FUTURES: Crude Rises On Strong China Data, Regional Equities
TOKYO - Crude-oil futures rose Monday in Asia, recovering some lost ground after China raised the reserve requirement ratio for banks, prompting concern about monetary tightening. Strong Chinese throughput data and broadly higher share prices in the re...
10/12/2010
WORLD FOREX: Dollar Flat Vs Yen On View US Yields To Rise Again
TOKYO - The dollar held its ground against the yen in Asia Friday, as investors bet that falls in U.S. Treasury yields overnight that had pushed the greenback down may prove short-lived.
Japanese importers also gave the U.S. currency a helping hand, b...
09/12/2010
ASML leads European stocks higher
Dutch technology group rallies 8% on improved outlook
MADRID - European stocks opened higher on Thursday, driven north by banks as well as technology stocks after ASML Holding lifted its order bookings forecast and its shares rallied 8%...
09/12/2010
OIL FUTURES: Crude Up As Dlr Weakens; Demand View Optimistic
SINGAPORE - Crude futures were up in Asia Thursday as the dollar weakened, while most analysts hold optimistic views on supply-demand fundamentals despite gains in inventories of petroleum products.
On the New York Mercantile Exchange, light, sweet c...
08/12/2010
WORLD FOREX: Dollar Continues To Rise On High U.S. Bond Yields
TOKYO - The dollar continued to rise against the yen in Asia Wednesday following significant overnight gains in U.S. Treasury yields in New York.
The greenback recouped all losses made since Friday when the U.S. non-farm payrolls turned out significa...
07/12/2010
Canadian dollar pares gain after BoC decision
NEW YORK - The Canadian dollar pared gains against the U.S. currency on Tuesday after the country's central bank said it would keep its overnight lending rate at 1%. Bank of Canada officials said risks to the global economic recovery have increased, wh...
07/12/2010
U.S. dollar slips as the euro strengthens
TOKYO - The U.S. dollar lost ground against its currency rivals in Asia’s afternoon trading Tuesday with the greenback pressured by uncertainty over the direction of the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy....
06/12/2010
WORLD FOREX: Dollar Rises Vs Yen, Euro On Bernanke Comments
TOKYO - The dollar rose against the yen and euro in Asia Monday as short-term investors bought the U.S. currency after Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said the economy isn't likely to fall back into recession.
"It doesn't seem likely that we'l...
03/12/2010
ISM services index climbs in November to 55%
WASHINGTON - The U.S. services sector expanded slightly in November, according to the latest survey by the Institute for Supply Management. The ISM on Friday said its non-manufacturing index rose to 55% from 54.3% in October. Economists surveyed by Mark...
03/12/2010
Nonfarm payroll up 39,000 in Nov., rate at 9.8%
WASHINGTON - Job growth unexpectedly stalled in November, the Labor Department said Friday. Total non-farm payrolls increased a slim 39,000 in November, much lower than the 155,000 gain expected by Wall Street economists. The unemployment rate moved up t...
03/12/2010
Europe holds steady ahead of payrolls data
Mining stocks slip; Carrefour drops after broker downgrade
LONDON - European stock markets remained in a tight range Friday following two days of strong gains as investors awaited key data on U.S. payrolls....
02/12/2010
Weekly jobless claims rise 26,000 to 436,000
Continuing claims increase 53,000 to 4.27 million
WASHINGTON - The number of U.S. workers filing new applications for unemployment benefits rose 26,000 in the holiday-shortened Thanksgiving week to 436,000, bouncing off a more than two-year low, according to Labor Department data....
02/12/2010
Australian retail sales drop in October
SYDNEY - Australian retail sales declined in October, data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed Thursday, marking the second piece of disappointing data on the economy in as many days....
01/12/2010
Fed's Beige Book finds improving economy
WASHINGTON - The U.S. economy is improving, according to the latest reading of the U.S. economy released on Wednesday. Anecdotal reports from the 12 Fed districts indicate that "the economy continued to improve, on balance," the Fed's latest Beige Book...
01/12/2010
European stocks rise as banks rebound
Carrefour shares slump after retailer cuts guidance
LONDON - European stock markets rose Wednesday following a strong session for most Asian markets and as banking and insurance stocks rebounded from their recent heavy declines....
01/12/2010
Most Asian markets rebound to trade higher
HONG KONG - Most Asian markets bounced off their earlier lows in choppy trading Wednesday on a rise in U.S. index futures and as a weaker U.S. dollar lifted commodity prices and spurred buying in resource sector stocks. ...
30/11/2010
Shanghai Composite drops 3.1% in late morning
HONG KONG - China stocks were under sharp selling pressure late in the morning session Tuesday amid reports that Beijing is preparing to tighten policy as part of efforts to clamp down on inflation. Shanghai's Composite Index was off 3.1% at 2,778.9, wh...
29/11/2010
U.S. stocks slump after Ireland bailout
NEW YORK - U.S. stocks fell Monday despite the sealing of a $113 billion Irish bailout as investors were skeptical of its ability to contain the euro-zone debt crisis....
29/11/2010
Europe stocks higher in wake of Irish bailout deal
MADRID European stock markets opened higher on Monday, with banks among the leading gainers after European Union finance ministers on Sunday approved a bailout for Ireland worth 85 billion euros ($112.53 billion). ...
26/11/2010
Europe stocks weak as Korea, euro jitters weigh
MADRID _ European stock markets opened lower on Friday, as markets took in fresh reports of blasts heard in Korea and sovereign debt issues continued weigh on investors...
25/11/2010
Miners, car makers help lift Europe
Real-estate firms trade higher; Daily Mail & General Trust drops
LONDON - European stocks traded mostly higher Thursday as a strong finish from Wall Street helped provide some further momentum....
25/11/2010
Asian Shares Mostly Up; Oil Cos Gain, Banks Hit In India
SINGAPORE - Asian share markets were mostly higher Thursday with oil companies gaining on strong crude futures, while most bank stocks in India lost ground as Federal authorities arrested several employees on allegations of bribery....
24/11/2010
Weekly jobless claims fall 34,000 to 407,000
New applications for benefits at lowest level since July 2008
WASHINGTON - The Labor Department on Wednesday said 407,000 workers filed new applications for unemployment benefits last week, the lowest level in more than two years...
24/11/2010
European markets move higher in early trading
LONDON European stock markets staged a modest early rebound Wednesday following heavy losses in the previous two sessions....
24/11/2010
Japan, Korea trade lower, but Hong Kong rises
LOS ANGELES Most major Asian stock markets traded lower midday Wednesday in the wake of shell fire between North and South Korea, though Hong Kong, Shanghai and Mumbai all of which were open when the Korean news broke late Tuesday traded higher....
23/11/2010
Hong Kong, Shanghai stocks plunge deeper
LOS ANGELES - Hong Kong and Shanghai stocks continued their descent midday Tuesday, with the markets in broad retreat and with banks and housing-related plays sharply lower...
22/11/2010
European stocks rally on Irish rescue
European stock markets responded positively on Monday to news that Ireland has applied for a rescue package in an effort to safeguard financial stability, with the banking sector driving the bulk of early gains....
19/11/2010
Europe stocks mostly lower; Ireland, China a focus
MADRID European stock markets opened mostly lower in cautious trading on Friday, with markets keeping a watchful eye on events out of Ireland and wary ahead of possible China policy tightening...
18/11/2010
British retail sales rise 0.5% in October
British retail sales volumes saw a 0.5% monthly rise in October and were down 0.1% compared to the same month last year, the Office for National Statistics reported Thursday. Economists had forecast a 0.5% monthly rise and 0.1% year-on-year increase. ...
18/11/2010
Dollar slips against all but yen in Asia trade
The dollar slipped against most major rivals in Asia trading Thursday, as investors turned their attention away from the recent debt worries in Europe....
18/11/2010
Europe shares open higher; SABMiller up on results
MADRID European stock markets were higher in early trading on Thursday, led by banks and miners. The Stoxx Europe 600 index...
17/11/2010
US Stocks Edge Higher As Retailers, Materials Sectors Up
NEW YORK U.S. stocks held their ground, trading modestly in positive territory one day after suffering their worst rout in months, helped by consumer-discretionary and materials stocks...
17/11/2010
Dollar gains on rivals in Asian trade
Investors await developments on Irish-debt situation
The dollar gained in Asian trading Wednesday as the European unit edged down, with investors awaiting further developments on the Irish debt situation....
16/11/2010
U.S. stocks decline sharply on China fears
NEW YORK U.S. stocks fell sharply Tuesday, taking the Dow industrials below the 11,000 level for the first time in nearly four weeks, as investors worried that China could follow South Korea and hike rates to stem inflation....
15/11/2010
U.S. stock futures hold mild gains after data
U.S. stocks retained modest Monday gains after the government reported retail sales climbed 1.2% in October and a gauge of business conditions in the New York region fell sharply in November. Futures for the Dow Jones Industrial Average were up 33 points...
15/11/2010
Treasurys improve, dollar up after retail sales
Treasury prices pared their losses and the dollar's gains shrunk slightly on Monday after a report showed U.S. retail sales rose 1.2% in October, more than expected. Yields on 10-year notes /quotes/comstock/31*!ust10y (UST10Y 2.88, +0.09, +3.27%) , which...
15/11/2010
Dollar gains ground against rivals
The U.S. dollar regained some lost ground against its currency rivals in Asia’s afternoon trading Monday, with the market mulling the possibility Ireland will seek a bailout from the European Union.
...
12/11/2010
U.S. stocks slip on China worries
U.S. stocks slid Friday as worries resurfaced that monetary tightening from China could be on the way.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average /quotes/comstock/10w!i:dji/delayed (DJIA 11,211, -71.90, -0.64%) fell 59 points, or 0.5%, to 11224. American Express...
11/11/2010
BT shares rise as benchmark index holds steady
Shares in BT Group rose strongly Thursday after the telecom company beat earnings expectations and offered a rosier outlook, while the broader market was broadly flat as the financial-services sector came under pressure....
11/11/2010
Bank of America lifts six mining stocks to buy
Bank of America Merrill Lynch on Thursday upgraded six U.K-listed mining stocks to a buy rating, citing expectations for higher metals prices, resilient Chinese demand and quantitative easing and support from demand by exchange-traded funds. Shares of Xs...
11/11/2010
European markets edge higher in early trading
European stock markets moved higher in early trading Thursday following gains for Wall Street in the previous session and some well-received results from European blue chip companies. Among stocks on the move, shares in U.K. telecoms company BT Group (UK:...
11/11/2010
European markets edge down; Siemens gains
European stock markets edged lower Thursday as losses for the financial sector offset well-received earnings announcements from the likes of Siemens AG and BT Group PLC....
10/11/2010
Futures steady ahead of U.S. economic data
U.S. stock futures traded little changed on Wednesday, as investors digested a sharp rise in China’s trade surplus and awaited several U.S. economic reports, including weekly jobless claims...
10/11/2010
London weighed by miners, J. Sainsbury
Investors await Bank of England quarterly inflation report
Shares in London were mostly weaker on Wednesday, as investors unwound recent strong gains from the mining sector and J. Sainsbury PLC, which fell after an interim update.
...
10/11/2010
Chinese shares hit by rate-hike fears; banks lift Tokyo
Asian shares ended mixed Wednesday as worries about more policy tightening by Beijing hit Chinese stocks in Hong Kong and Shanghai, but Japanese banks outperformed as the Nikkei Stock Average closed at its highest level in four months.
...
10/11/2010
Obama tells G20 U.S. growth key to dollar: report
U.S. President Barack Obama told fellow Group of 20 leaders that a strong U.S. economic recovery is the key contribution the nation can make to a global recovery, Reuters reported Wednesday. In a letter to G20 leaders preparing to meet in Seoul, Obama sa...
10/11/2010
Dollar gains in Asian trade as euro slips
The dollar gained in Asian trading Wednesday, as the European currency continued its slide.
“What’s been remarkable in the past few days is the speed at which the ‘elephant in the room’ that is the sovereign-default risk in the euro zone has stampeded...
08/11/2010
Strength in Japanese shares helps lift Asia
Major Asian markets finished mostly higher Monday as hefty gains in gold and oil prices last week fueled a rally among commodity-related shares and Japanese investors cheered recent reports of strong earnings and sales among auto makers. ...
08/11/2010
Merck KgaA cut to underperform at Bank of America
Merck KGaA /quotes/comstock/11e!fmrk (DE:MRK 58.35, -0.25, -0.43%) was downgraded to underperform from neutral at Bank of America/Merrill Lynch on Monday, which said it sees sources of earnings risk and management communication issues with investors. The...
08/11/2010
Updates, advisories and surprises
Gazprom 1st-half net up 67%, sales rose 17%
Gazprom, /quotes/comstock/11i!ogzp.y (OGZPY 23.06, -0.06, -0.26%) the Russian natural-gas giant, reported that first-half net income rose 67% on 17% higher sales. Earnings attributable to holders reached 494.68 billion rubles ($16.08 billion) from 296.24...
05/11/2010
U.S. stocks rise after jobs report
U.S. stocks wavered Friday despite data showing the U.S. economy added jobs in October for the first time in five months as private-sector hiring picked up, as the rise appeared too small to signal a turnaround in a stagnant labor market. ...
05/11/2010
Futures shift course on nonfarm payrolls
U.S. stock futures turned higher Friday after a government report showed that the economy added more jobs in October than Wall Street anticipated, setting up the market to extend its win streak. ...
05/11/2010
Crude oil up, gold down after U.S. jobs report
Crude oil stayed higher and gold futures were down on Friday, after the Labor Department said U.S. nonfarm payrolls rose by 151,000 in October, while the unemployment rate held at 9.6%. Economists surveyed by MarketWatch expected a 70,000 gain in payrolls...
05/11/2010
Washington Post triples its quarterly profit
The Washington Post /quotes/comstock/13*!wpo/quotes/nls/wpo (WPO 383.90, -3.40, -0.88%) said Friday its third-quarter earnings more than tripled to $60.9 million, or $6.84 a share, from $17.1 million, or $1.81 a share, in the year-ago period. On an adjust...
05/11/2010
Payrolls grow by 151,000 in October
The U.S. economy added jobs for the first month since May and the nation’s unemployment rate held steady at 9.6% for the third straight month, suggesting the labor market may be stabilizing.
...
05/11/2010
Dollar edges up ahead of U.S. jobs report
The dollar edged up on Friday but stayed within recent ranges against major rivals ahead of U.S. employment data later in the session. ...
05/11/2010
Bank of Japan details asset-buying plans
The Bank of Japan decided Friday to hold interest rates steady, as widely expected, and released details of assets to be purchased through its latest liquidity-boosting scheme. ...
04/11/2010
U.S. futures rise, buoyed by Fed move
PAGE
U.S. stock futures point to opening gains for Wall Street, as European equity markets rally and the dollar falls sharply after the Federal Reserve announced a new massive bond-buying program in an effort to resuscitate the sluggish recovery
...
04/11/2010
European Central Bank keeps key rate on hold
The European Central Bank left its key lending rate unchanged at a record low 1% on Thursday, as expected. Attention will now turn to ECB President Jean-Claude Trichet's press conference, which is due to begin shortly. The euro traded sharply higher agai...
04/11/2010
J.C. Penney sales declined in October
J.C. Penney Co. /quotes/comstock/13*!jcp/quotes/nls/jcp (JCP 30.85, -0.39, -1.25%) said Thursday that its October sales at stores open at least one year fell 1.9%. Analysts, on average, had expected same-store sales to rise 1%, according to Thomson Reuter...
04/11/2010
U.S. stock futures retain rise after economic data
U.S. stock futures extended Thursday gains after separate reports had jobless claims rising 20,000 to 457,000 last week and U.S. productivity climbing by 1.9% in the third-quarter. Both numbers were higher than Wall Street expected. Futures for the Dow J...
04/11/2010
OIL FUTURES: Crude Extends Gains After Breaching 6-Month High
Crude-oil futures rose Thursday in Asia, extending gains overnight in New York.
On the New York Mercantile Exchange, light, sweet crude futures for delivery in December traded at $85.53 a barrel at 0715 GMT, up $0.84 in the Globex electronic session. ...
03/11/2010
Fed decision, U.S. election, Aetna in focus
U.S. stock futures pointed to a flat open for Wall Street after the Republican Party won control of the House of Representatives and as investors awaited the outcome of the Federal Reserve meeting. The Fed is widely expected to announce another round of q...
03/11/2010
Crude oil, gold futures up after ADP jobs report
Crude oil and gold futures were higher on Wednesday, after payroll-processor ADP said the U.S. economy added 43,000 private-sector jobs in October. Crude oil for December delivery rose 82 cents, or 1%, to $84.71 a barrel. Gold for delivery the same month ...
03/11/2010
U.S. stock futures hold light gains after ADP data
U.S. stock futures maintained mild Wednesday gains after ADP reported the addition of 43,000 private-sector jobs in October. Futures for the Dow Jones Industrial Average were up 15 points at 11,167. Those for the S&P 500 were up 1.5 points at 1,194.2, whi...
03/11/2010
U.S. Oct. ADP employment up 43,000
Private-sector employment rose 43,000 in October, according to the ADP employment report released Wednesday. Employment in the service-producing sector rose 77,000, while the goods-producing sector fell 34,000. On Friday the government will report nonfarm...
03/11/2010
Iceland's central bank lowers interest rates
Iceland's central bank decided Wednesday to lower interest rates by 0.75 percentage points. The deposit rate will now be 4.0% and the seven-day collateralized lending rate will be 5.5%, the bank said in a statement. ...
03/11/2010
Australian housing approvals drop
Australian dwelling approvals fell for the sixth straight month in September, data showed Wednesday, leaving at least one economist questioning the central bank’s latest interest-rate rise. ...
01/11/2010
Dollar drops on renewed Fed jitters
The U.S. dollar fell Thursday, coming back under pressure after a brief respite, as traders anticipate the Federal Reserve will announce plans next week to buy a massive amount of government bonds, a process that could weaken the greenback.
...
01/11/2010
Commentary: Short gold after the election, as fear and uncertainty lift
With snake oil in oversupply, and its political shilling on overdrive, I continue to think as I did at the outset of this year that this market is primed for a fundamental pump once the Nov. 2 election dust settles. ...
29/10/2010
Crude oil lower, gold higher after Q3 GDP
Crude oil stayed lower and gold futures higher on Friday, after the U.S. Commerce Department said the gross domestic product rose at a 2.0% rate in the third quarter, up from 1.7% in the second quarter. Consumer spending was a big help, rising to a 2.6% r...
29/10/2010
GDP rises 2% in third quarter on consumer spending
The U.S. economy grew at a slightly faster pace in the third quarter but not by enough to raise hopes that the high unemployment rate may start to decline. ...
29/10/2010
Dollar gains on most rivals except for yen
The dollar gained ground on Friday as investors positioned for next week’s U.S. Federal Reserve policy meeting, but the greenback lost traction against the yen. ...
29/10/2010
German retail sales drop 2.3% in September
Germany's retail sales dropped 2.3% in September from the previous month, the nation's statistics office reported on Friday, citing data adjusted for calendar and seasonal variations. The office also said sales declined 0.4% in August month-on-month, a do...
28/10/2010
Jobless claims drop 21,000 to 434,000
Continuing claims down 122,000 at 4.36 million
The number of people who filed new claims for unemployment benefits fell 21,000 to 434,000 in the latest week, marking the third straight decline and the lowest level since early July, the U.S. Labor Department reported Thursday.
Economists polled by Ma...
28/10/2010
Germany's unemployed decline in October
The number of Germany's unemployed dropped by a non-seasonally adjusted 86,000 in October to 2.945 million, the German labor agency said on Thursday. In seasonally adjusted terms, unemployment dropped by 3,000. "For Germany, 3 million unemployed is an imp...
28/10/2010
Bank of Japan holds steady, cuts growth outlook
The Bank of Japan’s policy board decided Thursday to leave its key overnight call rate unchanged, as widely expected, offered details of its asset-buying program and cut its growth outlooks.
It also moved forward its next policy meeting to Nov. 4-5. T...
27/10/2010
New-home sales climb 6.6% in September
Sales of new homes climbed 6.6% in September, figures released by the federal government on Wednesday showed, representing the second straight month of gains, but still well below the pace when a tax credit existed.
Sales of new single-family homes ro...
27/10/2010
U.S. Sept. durable-goods orders up 3.3%
Orders for U.S.-made durable-goods rose 3.3% in September, the Commerce Department reported Wednesday. This is the largest increase since January. The increase in durable-goods orders exceeded the expected 2.5% rise forecast by economists surveyed by Mar...
27/10/2010
Fed stimulus plan to avoid 'shock and awe'
The Federal Reserve is close to implementing another round of monetary stimulus next week, but officials want to avoid the "shock and awe" technique used during the financial crisis, The Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday. The report said the Fed is l...
27/10/2010
Euro-zone annual M3 growth up 1% in Sept
Euro-zone annual M3 growth up 1% in Sept...
27/10/2010
WORLD FOREX: Dollar On Rare Uptrend In Asia, Helped by QE Doubts
The Asian market Wednesday witnessed a something of a rarity recently--a rising dollar.
From early in the day, the U.S. currency strengthened gradually after new signs emerged overnight that the U.S. Federal Reserve's "QE II"--second-round quantitativ...
26/10/2010
Fed Reserve won't appeal to withhold names
The Federal Reserve will not join an appeal filed by a banking group seeking to allow the government to withhold details of emergency loans made to financial firms in 2008, Bloomberg News reported on its website Tuesday. The Clearing House Association LLC...
26/10/2010
October consumer confidence rises to 50.2
U.S. consumer confidence rose in October, though it is "hovering" at historically low levels, with a monthly gauge increasing to 50.2, the Conference Board reported Tuesday. Economists polled by MarketWatch had expected a reading of 50. "Consumers' asses...
26/10/2010
U.S. home prices rose 0.4% in August: FHFA
U.S. house prices rose 0.4% on a seasonally adjusted basis from July to August, the Federal Housing Finance Agency reported Tuesday. The 0.5% decline reported in July was revised to a drop of 0.7%. For the 12 months ending in August, home prices fell 2.4%...
26/10/2010
U.S. dollar gains against most rivals
British pound rallies after stronger-than-expected U.K. GDP data
The dollar edged up against most rivals on Tuesday, although analysts said its upside was limited by expectations of more U.S. monetary eaThe Japanese unit was unmoved earlier in the session, despite tough rhetoric against yen strength from Japanese offic...
26/10/2010
U.K. third-quarter GDP grows 0.8%, tops forecasts
Britain's third-quarter gross domestic product grew by 0.8% compared to the previous quarter, the Office for National Statistics reported Tuesday. Compared to the same period last year, GDP grew 2.8%. Economists had forecast a 0.4% quarterly increase and ...
26/10/2010
Fed fights the easy-money fight
The Federal Reserve plan to gin up the printing press in an effort to knock down long-term interest rates is one of the most well-signaled roundhouse punches in the history of finance.
They’re calling the effort quantitative easing, but considering th...
25/10/2010
Sept. existing-home sales climb 10%
Existing-home sales in September climbed 10% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.53 million, the National Association of Realtors said Monday. August sales was downwardly to 4.12 million from 4.13 million. Economists polled by MarketWatch expected ...
25/10/2010
Euro-zone August industrial orders jump 5.3%
Industrial orders in the 16-nation euro zone saw a 5.3% monthly rise in August and were up 24.4% compared to August 2009, the European Union statistics agency Eurostat reported Monday. Economists surveyed by Dow Jones Newswires had forecast a 3% monthly ...
25/10/2010
Dollar sinks to fresh 15-year low vs. yen
The U.S. dollar fell to a fresh 15-year low against the Japanese currency in late Asian trading Monday, with its all-time record low less than a yen away. The greenback fell to ¥80.63 according to data from Factset Research, pushing closer to the record o...
21/10/2010
U.S. Oct. Philly Fed index 1.0 vs - 0.7 in Sept.
U.S. Oct. Philly Fed index 1.0 vs - 0.7 in Sept....
21/10/2010
Dollar unable to hold Geithner-inspired gains
The dollar pared losses against major currencies Thursday, with traders playing off an economic report showing U.S. jobless claims fell in the most recent week and awaiting data on manufacturing activity in the Philadelphia region.
The greenback had b...
21/10/2010
Geithner Gives Dollar Brief Boost Vs Yen, Euro
Comments from U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner lent the dollar a helping hand against the euro and yen Thursday in Asia, but dealers said the boost would likely prove short-lived amid continued expectations for more monetary easing by the Federal ...
21/10/2010
Euro-zone Oct. composite PMI falls to 1-year low
A measure of private-sector activity across the 16-nation euro zone fell more than expected in October, signaling a further slowing of growth in the region. The Markit preliminary composite purchasing managers index fell to a 12-month low of 53.4 from 54...
21/10/2010
Australia opposition warns on bank interest rates
Australia's center-right opposition said Thursday the government must put more pressure on major banks over the timing and size of potential interest rate hikes otherwise parliament will.
The Labor government's hold on power is reliant on three indep...
20/10/2010
G20 to mull current account targets: U.S. aide
Finance ministers and central bank governors of the Group of 20 nations will discuss setting targets for current account deficits at their meeting in South Korea this weekend, a senior U.S. Treasury official said Wednesday. "That sort of conversation wil...
20/10/2010
U.S. Bancorp 3rd-period net up 49%; provision down
U.S. Bancorp the Minneapolis banking giant, reported third-quarter net income advanced 49% on 7.9% higher net revenue. Earnings attributable to common-share holders reached $871 million, or 45 cents a share, from $583 million, or 30 cents, in the year-ear...
20/10/2010
Bank of England saw three-way split on policy
Members of the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee split three ways over the direction of policy in their October meeting, according to minutes of the gathering released Wednesday. Seven members of the nine-person panel voted in favor of holding ...
20/10/2010
BOE voted 7-1-1 to maintain policy in October
BOE voted 7-1-1 to maintain policy in October ...
19/10/2010
Bank of Canada keeps rates at 1%; loonie falls
The Bank of Canada left its target overnight rate at 1% on Tuesday, matching analysts' expectations. "The combination of difficult labor market dynamics and ongoing deleveraging in many advanced economies is expected to moderate the pace of growth relati...
19/10/2010
U.S. futures slip on Apple, China’s rate move
U.S. stock-index futures are weighed down by Apple’s conservative fourth-quarter outlook and an interest-rate hike from China...
19/10/2010
Sept. housing starts up 0.3% to 610,000
New construction of U.S. houses expanded for the third straight month in September, the Commerce Department estimated Tuesday. Starts rose 0.3% in September to a seasonally adjusted 610,000 annualized units, much stronger than the 578,000 pace expected by...
19/10/2010
Sept. housing starts up 0.3% to 610,000
New construction of U.S. houses expanded for the third straight month in September, the Commerce Department estimated Tuesday. Starts rose 0.3% in September to a seasonally adjusted 610,000 annualized units, much stronger than the 578,000 pace expected by...
19/10/2010
Goldman's profit slips, tops forecasts
Goldman Sachs before Tuesday's opening bell reported third-quarter net income of $1.9 billion, or $2.98 a share, down from $3.19 billion, or $5.25 a share, in the year-ago period. Wall Street analysts polled by Thomson Reuters had forecast quarterly profi...
19/10/2010
China ups lending, deposit rates by quarter-point
The People's Bank of China lifted deposit and lending rates by a quarter point on Tuesday, according to the official Xinhua news agency. The surprise policy move brought the one-year yuan lending rate to 5.56% from 5.31% and the one-year deposit rate to ...
19/10/2010
Bank of America loss widens to $7.3 billion
Bank of America posted a third-quarter net loss of $7.3 billion, or 77 cents a share, compared to a net loss of $1 billion, or 26 cents a share, in the same period last year. The bank saw a net loss applicable to common shareholders of $7.6 billion versu...
19/10/2010
German ZEW sentiment gauge slips in October
The ZEW German investor sentiment indicator declined slightly more than expected in October, slipping to -7.2 from -4.3 in September. Economists had forecast a decline in the economic expectations gauge to -7. The Mannheim-based Center for European Econom...
19/10/2010
German Oct. ZEW index falls to -7.2 vs. -4.3 Sept.
German Oct. ZEW index falls to -7.2 vs. -4.3 Sept....
19/10/2010
World Bank warns of rising East Asia bubble risk
East Asian Pacific economies face risks of equity and real-estate bubbles, as asset prices have recovered losses during the financial crisis and look set to march higher on the back of accommodative monetary policies in their domestic markets, the World B...
19/10/2010
Gold futures fall as much as $7 on Globex
Gold futures fell by as much as $7 an ounce on Tuesday, as gains in the U.S. dollar against some foreign currencies helpThere is a lack of fresh news to start another big rally in gold,” said Chintan Karnani, chief analyst at Insignia Consultants. Gold “s...
18/10/2010
Industrial production drops 0.2% in September
Industrial production slipped in September, the first drop after six months of gains, according to data released by the Federal Reserve on Monday. Production slipped 0.2% compared to August, though it's up 5.4% from the prior-year September. Economists po...
18/10/2010
Net foreign buys of U.S. assets $128.7 bln in Aug
Foreign investors bought a net $128.7 billion of long-term U.S. assets in August up from $61.2 billion in July, the Treasury Department said Monday. International demand for Treasurys accelerated to an increase of $117.2 billion in August from a gain of $...
18/10/2010
Citi posts $2.2 billion operating profit
Citigroup Inc said on Monday that its third quarter operating profit hit $2.2 billion, or 7 cents a share, versus a $101 million operating profit, and a per share loss of 27 cents a year ago. Citi's third quarter revenue was $20.7 billion, compared to $23...
18/10/2010
BP will earn $1.8 billion from latest asset sale
BP will earn $1.8 billion from latest asset sale ...
18/10/2010
Philips is cautious after profit triples
Dutch conglomerate Philips Electronics said Monday that its third-quarter net income roughly tripled, helped by a stronger performance from its health-care and lighting divisions, though the group remained cautious on the outlook for the rest of the year...
17/10/2010
Get ready for daredevil central bankers
We have come to expect our central bankers and policy experts to be gray, predictable and eager to take away the punch bowl once the party gets going.
So when they showed up at the Boston Fed conference on monetary policy in sandals talking about bun...
14/10/2010
Oil inventories fell 400,000 last week: EIA
Oil inventories fell 400,000 last week: EIA ...
14/10/2010
U.S. producer prices increase 0.4% in September
U.S. wholesale prices rose 0.4% in September, mainly because of higher meat and natural gas costs, the government reported Thursday. Core producer prices, which exclude the volatile food and energy categories, rose a lesser 0.1%. The MarketWatch poll of e...
14/10/2010
U.S. Aug. trade gap widens 8.8% to $46.3 bln
The U.S. trade deficit widened by 8.8% in August to $46.3 billion, the Commerce Department said Thursday. The trade deficit was higher than the consensus forecast of Wall Street economists of a deficit of $44.1 billion. Imports rose much faster than expor...
14/10/2010
U.S. weekly jobless claims rise 13,000 to 462,000
The number of people who signed up for state unemployment benefits jumped 13,000 to 462,000 in the latest week, the U.S. Labor Department reported Thursday. Economists polled by MarketWatch had expected initial claims to fall to a seasonally adjusted 444...
14/10/2010
Oil prices edge up ahead of weekly data
Oil prices rose on Thursday with the commodity bolstered by the weakened U.S. dollar and signals of improved demand. Later in the session, the Energy Department releases its weekly inventory report. Benchmark crude for November delivery gained 43 cents t...
14/10/2010
Australia miners gain, production eyed
Sydney-listed mining companies are riding high along with commodity futures, as analysts sift though quarterly production reports for future performance cues. ...
13/10/2010
U.S. stocks rise after Chinese import data
U.S. stocks opened with a strong gain Wednesday, led by industrial and material stocks as Chinese commodity imports rallied. ...
13/10/2010
US Stocks Open Higher, Led By Industrials; DJIA Up 68
U.S. stocks opened with a strong gain, led by industrial and material stocks as Chinese commodity imports rallied.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 68 points, or 0.6%, to trade at 11089 recently. The Standard & Poor's 500-stock index gained sev...
13/10/2010
U.S. September import prices down 0.3%
U.S. September import prices down 0.3% ...
13/10/2010
J.P. Morgan profit jumps 23%
Company says its credit card chargeoffs are easing
Banking giant J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. said Wednesday that its third-quarter profit rose 23% as credit costs continued to fall, mortgage-delinquency rates held steady and credit-card chargeoffs dropped. Revenue dropped to $23.8 billion from $26.6 billion. ...
13/10/2010
Euro-zone Aug. industrial production up 1%
Euro-zone Aug. industrial production up 1% ...
13/10/2010
Standard Chartered to raise $5.1 billion
Cash needed to ensure further growth under tougher capital rules
Standard Chartered said Wednesday that it will raise 3.26 billion pounds ($5.1 billion) from shareholders to ensure it can meet tough new capital rules without sacrificing growth opportunities in Asia and Africa.The bank said investors will be offered the...
13/10/2010
British jobless claims rise 5,300 in September
The number of British workers claiming jobless benefits rose by 5,300 in September to 1.4731 million, the Office for National Statistics reported Wednesday. Economists had forecast a rise of 3,750. That left 4.5% of the workforce claiming benefits, unchan...
13/10/2010
Dollar slips vs. euro in Asian trading
The dollar was steady against its Japanese counterpart in Asian trading Wednesday, but lost ground against the euro on continued perceptions that the U.S. Federal Reserve is headed for another round of quantitative easing.September minutes from the Federa...
12/10/2010
U.S. stocks drop ahead of Fed minutes
U.S. stocks fell Tuesday on heightened concerns over how China’s tightening efforts could impact demand for commodities while investors awaited the release of Federal Reserve minutes. ...
12/10/2010
Gold prices retreat under $1,350 an ounce
Gold futures on Tuesday retreated following another record close above $1,350 an ounce, while the U.S. dollar recovered from eight-month lows.
“The greenback’s slump (and expected further erosion on the heels of a yet-to-come easing) has been the sing...
12/10/2010
Stock futures fall ahead of earnings, Fed minutes
FOMC’s September meeting minutes, Intel earnings due later
U.S. stock futures fell Tuesday, playing off reports China is again making its banks raise their reserves to curb lending and before the Federal Reserve releases minutes from its last meeting. China’s reported bid to slow lending to bypass speculative bub...
12/10/2010
European stocks drop sharply in early trading
European shares dropped sharply in early trading Tuesday following losses for Asian markets. Banks and miners were among the heaviest fallers, though all sectors were trading in the red....
12/10/2010
Oil futures extend losses; OPEC in focus
U.S. dollar gains vs. major rivals; gold futures also decline
Crude-oil futures fell below $82 a barrel on Tuesday, joining a broad-based selloff in commodities, as the dollar gained against other major currencies and expectations rose that the OPEC oil cartel will leave production levels unchanged at its meeting la...
12/10/2010
U.K. Sept. annual CPI unchanged at 3.1%
British annual consumer price inflation stood at 3.1% in September, unchanged from August, the Office for National Statistics reported Tuesday. On a monthly basis , prices were flat in September, the agency said. The figures were in line with market expe...
12/10/2010
U.K. Sept. annual CPI unchanged at 3.1%
U.K. Sept. annual CPI unchanged at 3.1% ...
12/10/2010
Australian bank face headwinds for now
With funding costs in focus and earnings on tap, Australian banking stocks are coming under a bit of pressure.
On the plus side, the banks are operating in a relatively strong economy, and well capitalized lenders are expected to largely escape pain f...
12/10/2010
Australian home prices to keep rising, report says
Australian house prices will rise for the next three years on the back of the country's robust economy, an industry report commissioned by a large Australian mortgage insurer said Tuesday.
The report, commissioned by QBE and written by BIS Shrapnel, f...
11/10/2010
China lifts reserve requirement for top banks
China lifted the proportion of funds that banks must set aside as reserves by half a percentage point on Monday, the first such move since May, as part of efforts to drain cash from the economy, according to a report. The increase will apply to the nation...
11/10/2010
China central bank chief sees slow gains for yuan
China will allow further appreciation of the yuan at a slow pace, so long as the country’s economic development remains on track and inflation stays relatively low, the People’s Bank of China Gov. Zhou Xiaochuan said Sunday.
Zhou was quoted in report...
10/10/2010
Cooperation called for amid ‘currency war’
The so-called “currency war” may see five emerging markets ramp up efforts to curb currency advances, say analysts, as pressure to keep exports competitive overrides official warnings that such interventions could frustrate a flagging global recovery.
...
07/10/2010
Treasurys advance after jobless claims
Fed still seen as easing further; 2-year yields shrink to 0.36%
Treasury prices rose Thursday, pushing 10-year yields to the lowest since January 2009, after a government report showed initial jobless claims fell to a lower level than many economists expected.
The report did little to change expectations for Frida...
07/10/2010
Race to the bottom in currency markets
If there’s been one mantra among political and economic leaders since the financial crisis rocked the world two years ago, it’s been to avoid protectionist policies at all costs.
History tells us, if not Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, that it ...
07/10/2010
September sales run better than expected
Consumers apparently went on something of a mild shopping spree last month, helping many U.S. retailers push their sales well ahead of expectations, results showed Thursday. ...
07/10/2010
European Central Bank leaves key rate at 1%
The European Central Bank on Thursday left its key lending rate unchanged at a record low 1%. ECB President Jean-Claude Trichet will hold his monthly news conference in Frankfurt at 8:30 a.m. Eastern...
07/10/2010
Bank of England leaves monetary policy unchanged
The Bank of England on Thursday said its Monetary Policy Committee made no changes to policy. As expected, the panel held the bank's key lending rate unchanged at a record low 0.5% and left its asset-purchase program on pause at 200 billion pounds ($317 b...
07/10/2010
Sterling Soars After BOE Leaves Rates, QE Unchanged
Sterling Soars After BOE Leaves Rates, QE Unchanged...
07/10/2010
U.K. house prices down 3.6% in Sept.: Halifax
The average British house price fell 3.6% in September, the largest monthly drop since records began in 1983, mortgage lender Halifax said Thursday. The average house price at 162,096 pounds ($257,165)remained 2.6% higher than in September 2009. An increa...
07/10/2010
British industrial output up 0.3% in August
British industrial production rose 0.3% in August and was up 4.2% compared to the same month last year, the Office for National Statistics reported Thursday. The figures were in line with expectations. The narrower manufacturing-output measure saw a 0.3%...
07/10/2010
Gold futures advance past $1,360 an ounce
Gold futures continued to advance into record territory Thursday. The December Nymex gold futures contract traded as high as $1,366 an ounce in electronic trading, according to FactSet Research, and changed hands in recent action at $1.364.30 an ounce, a ...
06/10/2010
U.S. Sept. ADP employment down 39,000
Companies in the U.S. private sector shed 39,000 jobs in September, according to the ADP employment report released Wednesday. The reading was below than economist's expectations of a 20,000 gain. This is the first decline in the ADP report since January...
06/10/2010
September job-cut trend again low: Challenger Gray
U.S. employers' announced job cuts totaled 37,151 for September, outplacement firm Challenger Gray & Christmas said. This marked the second lowest number for a month during 2010, a 7% increase from the 34,768 job cuts announced during August. For the yea...
06/10/2010
Euro-zone second-quarter GDP up unrevised 1%
Euro-zone second-quarter GDP up unrevised 1%...
06/10/2010
Bank of Japan keeps view of slowing recovery
The Bank of Japan repeated Wednesday that the Japanese economy's moderate recovery is slowing, a day after it cited weakening growth as it cut interest rates. "Growth in exports and production has recently been decelerating," the central bank said in its ...
05/10/2010
Fed buys $5.19 billion in Treasurys
The Federal Reserve Bank of New York purchased $5.19 billion in Treasury bonds on Tuesday, part of officials' pledge to reinvest cash from maturing mortgage-backed securities and housing agency debt back into the bond market to support the economic recove...
05/10/2010
Energy stocks sparkle as oil tops $82
Plains Exploration & Production rallies on Texas oil plans
Energy stocks rallied Tuesday as oil topped $82 a barrel and the broad equities market advanced. ...
05/10/2010
US Stocks Up After Encouraging ISM Data, BOJ Rate Cuts
U.S. stocks rose Tuesday after some improving nonmanufacturing data combined with the Bank of Japan's surprise move to pump more funds into its struggling economy to encourage investors.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 138 points, or 1.3%, to 1...
05/10/2010
Euro-zone retail sales fall 0.4% in August
Retail sales volumes fell 0.4% in the 16-nation euro zone in August, the European Union statistics agency Eurostat reported Tuesday. Compared to August 2009, sales grew by 0.6%. Economists had forecast a 0.2% monthly decline and a 0.6% year-on-year incre...
05/10/2010
Gold futures surge to intraday record $1,329.60/oz
Gold futures surged to a record after the Bank of Japan unexpectedly cut its overnight lending rate to near zero while it also established a special fund to buy various assets as part of what it described as a "comprehensive monetary easing." Gold for Dec...
05/10/2010
U.K. Sept. services PMI sees unexpected rise
The purchasing managers index for Britain's service sector rose to 52.8 in September from 51.3 in August, the Chartered Institute for Purchasing and Supply and Markit reported Tuesday. Economists had expected the index to slip to 51.2. A reading of more ...
05/10/2010
Euro-zone Sept. composite PMI slips to 7-month low
Private-sector activity in the 16-nation euro zone advanced at its slowest pace in seven months, according to the final September reading of the Markit composite purchasing managers index released Tuesday. The composite PMI fell to 54.1 from 56.2 in Augus...
05/10/2010
Bank of Japan cuts rate range
‘Comprehensive monetary easing’ was unexpected
The Bank of Japan voted unanimously Tuesday to cut its policy interest-rate range to between zero and 0.1%, from 0.1% previously, and pledged to maintain its easy policy until prices stabilize.
At the conclusion of its two-day policy meeting, it relea...
04/10/2010
Pending U.S. home sales climb 4.3% in August
Sales of homes in the U.S. rose 4.3% in August, based on the number of contracts signed. The National Association of Realtors said its pending home sales index rose to 82.3 from 78.9 in July. Pending sales reflect contracts signed between home buyers and...
04/10/2010
U.S. August factory orders fall 0.5%
U.S. factory orders fell by 0.5% in August, the Commerce Department reported Monday. Analysts surveyed by MarketWatch were expecting orders to drop by 0.5%. ...
04/10/2010
U.S. August factory orders fall 0.5%
U.S. August factory orders fall 0.5% ...
04/10/2010
Pending home sales index rises to 82.3 from 78.9
Pending home sales index rises to 82.3 from 78.9 ...
04/10/2010
Dollar gains as euro-zone worries revived
The dollar traded mainly higher Monday, boosted versus the euro on renewed worries about the impact of the single-currency region’s ongoing debt woes. The euro initially gained ground on the dollar in Asian trading, boosted by weekend remarks by Chinese P...
04/10/2010
Crude oil, gold futures drop on euro concerns
Crude oil and gold futures fell back on Monday, as concerns about European debt woes pressured the euro and lifted the dollar, while rekindling concerns about global growth. Crude oil for November delivery recently fell 18 cents, or 0.2%, to $81.41 a barr...
04/10/2010
Premier Foods rallies; London market drops
Wolseley climbs after bullish broker note, oil stocks under pressure
Premier Foods was one of the few bright spots in a broadly lower U.K. market Monday after the company said it had received approaches for its vegetarian food business. ...
04/10/2010
Spain jobless claims rise 1.2% in September
The number of jobless claims in Spain rose 1.2% in September, a rise of 48,102 persons, the second straight month of rising claims, bringing the total number of unemployed to 4,017,763. On an annual basis, the number claims rose 8.3%. The Spanish secretar...
04/10/2010
China Premier Wen vows support for Greece
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao made a show of Beijing’s support for Greece on Sunday, saying that China will continue to buy Greek government debt when the country reintroduces open sales, according to reports.
Wen also unveiled a $5 billion credit facili...
03/10/2010
Bank of England, ECB and Tesco in focus
BOE expected to see debate over quantitative easing
The most eagerly awaited event for European markets in the week ahead will take place behind closed doors as members of the Bank of England’s monetary policy committee meet.
The central bank isn’t expected to announce any change in policy when the res...
