Polish equity market closed higher on Friday. The broad market measure, the WIG Index, surged by 0.68%. Sector performance in the WIG Index was mixed. Utilities stocks (+2.33%) recorded the biggest gain, while oil and gas sector names (-1.15%) lagged behind.
The large-cap stocks' measure, the WIG30 Index, rose by 0.94%. In the index basket, railway freight transport operator PKP CARGO (WSE: PKP) became the best-performing name, advancing 4.44%. All 4 utilities names, namely ENEA (WSE: ENA), TAURON PE (WSE: TPE), ENERGA (WSE: ENG) and PGE (WSE: PGE) also demonstrated strong performance, growing by 2.16%-4.11%, following Poland's energy minister's announcement that the mergers of the country's biggest gencos is unlikely in 2016. The other notable gainers were clothing retailer LPP (WSE: LPP) and bank ING BSK (WSE: ING), adding 2.89% and 2.68% respectively. On the other side of the ledger, thermal coal miner BOGDANKA (WSE: LWB) and oil refiner PKN ORLEN (WSE: PKN) were the poorest performers, losing 2.47% and 2.29% respectively.
Stock indices closed lower as commodity prices remained in focus.
Meanwhile, the economic data from Eurozone was negative. The European Central Bank (ECB) released its current account on Friday. Eurozone's current account surplus fell to a seasonally adjusted €20.4 billion in October from €30.1 billion in September.
The trade surplus declined to €26.8 billion in October from €30.1 billion in September.
The surplus on services decreased to €4.4 billion in October from €4.5 billion in September.
The primary income surplus slid to €3.1 billion in October from €5.3 billion in September, while the secondary income deficit increased to €14.0 billion from €9.8 billion.
Eurozone's unadjusted current account surplus dropped to €25.9 billion in October from €33.8 billion in September. September's figure was revised up from a surplus of €33.1 billion.
Indexes on the close:
Name Price Change Change %
FTSE 100 6,056.38 -46.16 -0.76 %
DAX 10,608.19 -129.93 -1.21 %
CAC 40 4,625.26 -52.28 -1.12 %
Oil prices rose on a weaker U.S. dollar.
Gains were limited by concerns over the global oil oversupply. A rise in U.S. crude inventories, Iran's expected comeback to the market and further interest rate hikes by the Fed weigh on oil prices.
News that Russia does not want to cooperate with the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) also weighed on oil prices today.
OPEC said in its World Oil Outlook (WOO) on Friday that it expects oil prices to remain below $100 a barrel in the long-term period.
WTI crude oil for February delivery rose to $35.44 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.
Brent crude oil for January climbed to $37.58 a barrel on ICE Futures Europe.
Gold price rose on higher demand for safe-haven asset and on a weaker U.S. dollar.
Gains were limited by the Fed's interest rate hike. The Fed on Wednesday raised its interest rate to the range 0.25% - 0.50% from 0.00% - 0.25% as widely expected by analysts.
Gold is traded in U.S. dollars. It suffers when the U.S. dollar strengthens, becoming more expensive for holders of other currencies.
The U.S. services PMI data also supported gold price. Markit Economics released its preliminary services purchasing managers' index (PMI) for the U.S. on Friday. The U.S. preliminary services purchasing managers' index (PMI) dropped to 53.7 in December from 56.1 in November. It was the lowest level since December 2012.
January futures for gold on the COMEX today traded at 1063.00 dollars per ounce.
Major U.S. stock-indexes lower on Friday as a selloff in commodity markets showed no signs of easing.
Most of Dow stocks in negative area (27 of 30). Top looser - The Boeing Company (BA, -2.75%). Top gainer - Caterpillar Inc. (CAT, +1.03%).
Almost all S&P index sectors also in negative area. Top looser - Utilities (-1.2%). Top gainer - Basic Materials (+0,5%).
At the moment:
Dow 17177.00 -179.00 -1.03%
S&P 500 2008.75 -16.00 -0.79%
Nasdaq 100 4545.50 -24.00 -0.53%
Oil 36.44 +0.17 +0.47%
Gold 1067.60 +18.00 +1.71%
U.S. 10yr 2.22 -0.02
The German statistical office Destatis released its public debt data on Friday. German public debt fell 0.8% to € 2,027.7 billion in the third quarter from a year ago.
The debt of the Federation dropped by 1.2% to €1,267.5 billion on 30 September 2015, compared with the last year.
The Bank of Italy released its current account data on Friday. Italy's current account surplus climbed to €6.13 billion in October from €5.98 billion in October last year.
The goods trade surplus decreased to €5.88 billion in October from €5.89 billion in October last year. The services trade surplus rose to €285 million from €61 million.
The capital account surplus jumped to €1.04 billion in October from a deficit of €182 million last year.
Markit Economics released its preliminary services purchasing managers' index (PMI) for the U.S. on Friday. The U.S. preliminary services purchasing managers' index (PMI) dropped to 53.7 in December from 56.1 in November. It was the lowest level since December 2014.
Analysts had expected the index to fell to 56.0.
A reading above 50 indicates expansion in economic activity.
The drop was driven by a sharp slowdown in new business growth.
"A lack of inflationary pressures, slowing growth and a drop in business confidence to a five-year low are all disappointing news for an economy which has seen the first US interest rate hike for almost a decade," Markit Chief Economist Chris Williamson said.
He added that the data was consistent with an annual 1.8% growth in the fourth quarter.
U.S. stock-index futures were flat.
Global Stocks:
Nikkei 18,986.8 -366.76 -1.90%
Hang Seng 21,755.56 -116.50 -0.53%
Shanghai Composite 3,579.49 -0.51 -0.01%
FTSE 6,077.42 -25.12 -0.41%
CAC 4,625.13 -52.41 -1.12%
DAX 10,620.5 -117.62 -1.10%
Crude oil $34.58 (-1.06%)
Gold $1057.10 (+0.71%)
Statistics Canada released consumer price inflation data on Friday. Canadian consumer price inflation fell 0.1% in November, missing expectations for a 0.1% gain, after a 0.1% rise in October.
The monthly drop was mainly driven by declines in clothing and footwear, and recreation, education and reading prices.
Clothing and footwear fell 1.0% in November, while recreation, education and reading prices dropped 1.8%.
On a yearly basis, the consumer price index increased to 1.4% in November from 1.0% in October, missing expectations for a rise to 1.5%.
The consumer price index was partly driven by higher food and shelter prices. Food prices climbed 3.4% year-on-year in November, while transportation prices decreased 1.1%.
The index for recreation, education and reading climbed by 1.9% in November from the same month a year earlier, the shelter index gained 1.2%, while gasoline prices dropped 10.6%.
The Canadian core consumer price index, which excludes some volatile goods, dropped 0.3% in November, after a 0.3% gain in October.
On a yearly basis, core consumer price index in Canada declined to 2.0% in November from 2.1% in October, missing expectations for a gain to 2.3%.
The Bank of Canada's inflation target is 2.0%.
(company / ticker / price / change, % / volume)
Barrick Gold Corporation, NYSE | ABX | 7.08 | 2.02% | 39.4K |
Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc., NYSE | FCX | 6.18 | 0.98% | 54.6K |
E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Co | DD | 65.55 | 0.49% | 7.2K |
ALCOA INC. | AA | 9.18 | 0.33% | 2.1K |
Twitter, Inc., NYSE | TWTR | 23.38 | 0.30% | 15.0K |
Microsoft Corp | MSFT | 55.80 | 0.18% | 27.4K |
General Motors Company, NYSE | GM | 34.10 | -0.03% | 0.1K |
Walt Disney Co | DIS | 111.97 | -0.04% | 11.0K |
Amazon.com Inc., NASDAQ | AMZN | 669.48 | -0.17% | 15.2K |
Nike | NKE | 129.99 | -0.18% | 1K |
Google Inc. | GOOG | 747.00 | -0.32% | 5.3K |
McDonald's Corp | MCD | 117.11 | -0.33% | 1.0K |
Facebook, Inc. | FB | 105.87 | -0.33% | 47.1K |
Pfizer Inc | PFE | 32.21 | -0.37% | 17.0K |
Intel Corp | INTC | 34.77 | -0.40% | 3.0K |
3M Co | MMM | 148.24 | -0.41% | 0.8K |
Visa | V | 78.37 | -0.41% | 0.5K |
Apple Inc. | AAPL | 108.52 | -0.42% | 182.9K |
AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL GROUP | AIG | 59.88 | -0.42% | 27.7K |
Verizon Communications Inc | VZ | 45.90 | -0.43% | 6.8K |
AT&T Inc | T | 33.88 | -0.44% | 16.7K |
Caterpillar Inc | CAT | 64.60 | -0.46% | 1.4K |
Ford Motor Co. | F | 13.91 | -0.50% | 10.7K |
General Electric Co | GE | 30.39 | -0.52% | 24.4K |
American Express Co | AXP | 69.20 | -0.53% | 0.2K |
International Business Machines Co... | IBM | 136.00 | -0.55% | 1.6K |
Procter & Gamble Co | PG | 79.84 | -0.56% | 4.5K |
Travelers Companies Inc | TRV | 112.60 | -0.59% | 0.2K |
JPMorgan Chase and Co | JPM | 65.88 | -0.60% | 3.1K |
Tesla Motors, Inc., NASDAQ | TSLA | 231.91 | -0.63% | 1.5K |
Yahoo! Inc., NASDAQ | YHOO | 33.02 | -0.63% | 9.8K |
Exxon Mobil Corp | XOM | 77.46 | -0.64% | 5.4K |
Cisco Systems Inc | CSCO | 26.54 | -0.67% | 0.7K |
Wal-Mart Stores Inc | WMT | 58.57 | -0.70% | 1.7K |
Citigroup Inc., NYSE | C | 52.45 | -0.74% | 15.5K |
Chevron Corp | CVX | 89.80 | -0.82% | 5.9K |
The Coca-Cola Co | KO | 43.06 | -0.99% | 6.4K |
FedEx Corporation, NYSE | FDX | 150.00 | -1.21% | 13.2K |
Boeing Co | BA | 143.53 | -1.39% | 1.9K |
Starbucks Corporation, NASDAQ | SBUX | 58.67 | -1.42% | 2.6K |
Yandex N.V., NASDAQ | YNDX | 15.00 | -2.41% | 0.8K |
USD/JPY 120.00 (USD 1bln) 121.00 (1bln) 121.50 (1bln) 122.00 (1.8bln 122.50 (13bln)
EUR/USD 1.0700 (EUR 3.7bln) 1.0750 (1.8bln) 1.0800 (5.1bln) 1.0850-55 (1.3bln) 1.0900 (3.5bln) 1.0950 (1.3bln) 1.0975 (1bln) 1.1000(4.5bln)
GBP/USD 1.4900 (GBP 600m) 1.5000 (1.3bln) 1.5100 (602m) 1.5150 (642m)
AUD/USD 0.7000 (AUD 1.4bln) 0.7100 (814m) 0.7150 (451m) 0.7200 (500m) 0.7300 (569m)
NZD/USD 0.6500 (NZD 1.8bln) 0.6650 (1.2bln)
Upgrades:
DuPont (DD) upgraded to Buy at BofA/Merrill
Microsoft (MSFT) upgraded to Neutral from Sell at Goldman
Downgrades:
Boeing (BA) downgraded to Market Perform from Outperform at Wells Fargo
Other:
Merck (MRK) initiated with a Neutral at Atlantic Equities
Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) initiated with a Neutral at Atlantic Equities
Statistics Canada released wholesale sales figures on Friday. Wholesale sales fell 0.6% in October, missing expectations for a 0.1% gain, after a 0.3% decline in September. September's figure was revised down from a 0.1% decrease.
The decline was driven by lower sales in the food, beverage and tobacco and the motor vehicle and parts subsectors.
Sales in the food, beverage and tobacco subsector dropped 3.0% in October, while sales of motor vehicle and parts were down 2.1%.
Sales in the building material and supplies subsector declined 0.3% in October.
Inventories increased by 0.5% in October.
The Bank of Japan (BoJ) Governor Haruhiko Kuroda said in a press conference on Friday that the central bank's new stimulus measures were only an adjustment of quantitative easing. New stimulus measures will help to ease the BoJ's further if needed, he added.
"We've taken steps to supplement QQE [quantitative and qualitative easing] so that we can expand the program without hesitation if needed," Kuroda noted.
He pointed out that new stimulus measures do not address downside risks to the economy.
The BoJ governor also said that the Fed's interest rate hike was not a trigger for new stimulus measures.
Economic calendar (GMT0):
(Time/ Region/ Event/ Period/ Previous/ Forecast/ Actual)
00:00 New Zealand Westpac Consumer Sentiment Quarter IV 106
04:00 Japan BoJ Interest Rate Decision 0% 0%
04:00 Japan Bank of Japan Monetary Base Target 275 275
04:00 Japan BoJ Monetary Policy Statement
06:30 Japan BOJ Press Conference
09:00 Eurozone Current account, unadjusted, bln October 33.8 Revised From 33.1 25.9
The U.S. dollar traded higher against the most major currencies ahead of the release of the U.S. services PMI data. The preliminary U.S. services PMI is expected to fall to 56.0 in December from 56.1 in November.
The euro traded mixed against the U.S. dollar after the release of the negative economic data from the Eurozone. The European Central Bank (ECB) released its current account on Friday. Eurozone's current account surplus fell to a seasonally adjusted €20.4 billion in October from €30.1 billion in September.
The trade surplus declined to €26.8 billion in October from €30.1 billion in September.
The surplus on services decreased to €4.4 billion in October from €4.5 billion in September.
The primary income surplus slid to €3.1 billion in October from €5.3 billion in September, while the secondary income deficit increased to €14.0 billion from €9.8 billion.
Eurozone's unadjusted current account surplus dropped to €25.9 billion in October from €33.8 billion in September. September's figure was revised up from a surplus of €33.1 billion.
The British pound traded lower against the U.S. dollar in the absence of any major economic reports from the U.K.
The Canadian dollar traded lower against the U.S. dollar ahead of the release of the Canadian economic data. The consumer price index in Canada is expected to climb 1.5% year-on-year in November from 1.0% in October.
The core consumer price index in Canada is expected to rise to 2.3% year-on-year in November from 2.1% in October.
Wholesales sales in Canada are expected to rise 0.1% in October, after a 0.1% decline in September.
EUR/USD: the currency pair declined to $1.0804
GBP/USD: the currency pair fell to $1.4895
USD/JPY: the currency pair decreased to Y121.04
The most important news that are expected (GMT0):
13:30 Canada Wholesale Sales, m/m October -0.1% 0.1%
13:30 Canada Consumer Price Index m / m November 0.1% 0.1%
13:30 Canada Consumer price index, y/y November 1.0% 1.5%
13:30 Canada Bank of Canada Consumer Price Index Core, y/y November 2.1% 2.3%
14:45 U.S. Services PMI (Preliminary) December 56.1 56
18:00 U.S. FOMC Member Laсker Speaks
EUR/USD
Offers 1.0880 1.0900 1.0930 1.0960 1.0985 1.1000 1.1025-30 1.1050 1.1065 1.1080-85 1.1100
Bids 1.0830 1.0800 1.0780-85 1.0750 1.0730 1.0700 1.0685 1.0670 1.0650
GBP/USD
Offers 1.4950-55 1.4980-85 1.5000 1.5030 1.5050 1.5075-80 1.5100 1.5120 1.5150
Bids 1.4920-25 1.4900 1.4885 1.4865 1.4850 1.4830 1.4800 1.4785 1.4765 1.4750
EUR/GBP
Offers 0.7280-85 0.7300 0.7320 0.7350 0.7375 0.7400 0.7420 0.7450
Bids 0.7250 0.7225-30 0.7200 0.7180 0.7165 0.7150
EUR/JPY
Offers 132.30 132.50 132.80 133.00 133.20 133.50 133.85 134.00
Bids 131.75-80 131.50 131.00 130.80 130.50 130.30 130.00
USD/JPY
Offers 121.85 122.00 122.20 122.50 122.65 122.80 123.00 123.20 123.50
Bids 121.50 121.30 121.00 120.85 120.60-65 120.50 120.30 120.00
AUD/USD
Offers 0.7150 0.7180 0.7200 0.7220 0.7255-60 0.7280 0.7300 0.7320-25 0.7345-50
Bids 0.7120-25 0.7100 0.7085 0.7065 0.7050 0.7020 0.7000
Stock indices traded lower on a decline in commodity prices.
Meanwhile, the economic data from Eurozone was negative. The European Central Bank (ECB) released its current account on Friday. Eurozone's current account surplus fell to a seasonally adjusted €20.4 billion in October from €30.1 billion in September.
The trade surplus declined to €26.8 billion in October from €30.1 billion in September.
The surplus on services decreased to €4.4 billion in October from €4.5 billion in September.
The primary income surplus slid to €3.1 billion in October from €5.3 billion in September, while the secondary income deficit increased to €14.0 billion from €9.8 billion.
Eurozone's unadjusted current account surplus dropped to €25.9 billion in October from €33.8 billion in September. September's figure was revised up from a surplus of €33.1 billion.
Current figures:
Name Price Change Change %
FTSE 100 6,076.32 -26.22 -0.43%
DAX 10,691.15 -46.97 -0.44%
CAC 40 4,648.98 -28.56 -0.61%
The French statistical office Insee released its manufacturing confidence index for France on Friday. The French manufacturing confidence index increased to 103 in December from 102 in November.
Past change in production activity was down to 2 in December from 11 in November.
Personal production expectations index climbed to 10 in December from 3 in November, while general production outlook index dropped to 0 from 9.
French statistical office INSEE released its producer price index (PPI) data on Friday. French producer prices increased 0.1% in November, after a 0.2% rise in October.
The increase was driven a rise in prices for mining and quarrying products, energy and water, which were up 1.1% in November.
On a yearly basis, French PPI fell 2.4% in November, after a 2.5% drop in October.
The annual drop was driven by a decline in prices for coke and refined petroleum products, which slid 27.8 year-on-year in November.
Import prices were up 0.2% in November, after a 0.4% fall in October.
The European Central Bank (ECB) released its current account on Friday. Eurozone's current account surplus fell to a seasonally adjusted €20.4 billion in October from €30.1 billion in September.
The trade surplus declined to €26.8 billion in October from €30.1 billion in September.
The surplus on services decreased to €4.4 billion in October from €4.5 billion in September.
The primary income surplus slid to €3.1 billion in October from €5.3 billion in September, while the secondary income deficit increased to €14.0 billion from €9.8 billion.
Eurozone's unadjusted current account surplus dropped to €25.9 billion in October from €33.8 billion in September. September's figure was revised up from a surplus of €33.1 billion.
The Bank of Japan (BoJ) released its interest rate decision on Friday. The BoJ kept its monetary policy unchanged (interest rate: 0.00-0.10%, monetary base target: 275 trillion yen). The central bank said that it will expand its monetary base at an annual pace of 80 trillion yen, adding that the average maturity of the Japanese government bonds was increased to seven to 12 years from seven to 10 years.
The BoJ also said that it will annually purchase ¥300 billion of ETFs (exchange-traded funds) issued by companies that are making investment in physical and human capital. This decision was not expected by analysts.
Only 6 of 9 board members backed new measures, while three board members voted against new measures.
According to China's State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE), Chinese banks sold a net 276.2 billion yuan in foreign exchange to clients in November, up from a net sale of 190.9 billion yuan in October.
The SAFE noted that Chinese banks sold a net 2.6799 yuan trillion in foreign exchange to clients in the first 11 months of 2015.
ANZ Bank released its latest business sentiment survey for New Zealand on Friday. The ANZ business confidence index for New Zealand rose to 23.0% in December from 14.6% in November. The index means that 23% of respondents expected the country's economy to improve over the coming year.
"New Zealand remains the two-bit player at the international roulette table. Volatility across equities, commodities, the NZD and international economies is here to stay. Where China and the export price toboggan settle remains uncertain. We're cautious," the ANZ Chief Economist Cameron Bagrie said.
According to data from the Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index, consumers' expectations for U.S. economy increased to 43.5 in December from 42.5 in November. The increase was driven by a more favourable assessment of the U.S. economy.
Weekly consumers' expectations for U.S. economy increased to 40.9 in in the week ended December 13 from 40.1 the prior week. The increase was driven by a more favourable assessment of the personal finances and buying climate.
The measure of views of the economy declined.
The buying climate climbed to 37.2 from 35.3.
The personal finances index increased to 54.9 from 53.4.
Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron said on Thursday that there is a progress in talks with European Union leaders regarding Britain's membership in the European Union (EU).
"Nothing is certain in life, nor in Brussels, but what I would say is there is a pathway to a deal in February," he said after the EU summit in Brussels.
European Council President Donald Tusk said after the EU summit that he was more optimistic that a deal between Britain and EU will be reached in February to keep Britain in the EU.
USD/JPY 120.00 (USD 1bln) 121.00 (1bln) 121.50 (1bln) 122.00 (1.8bln 122.50 (13bln)
EUR/USD 1.0700 (EUR 3.7bln) 1.0750 (1.8bln) 1.0800 (5.1bln) 1.0850-55 (1.3bln) 1.0900 (3.5bln) 1.0950 (1.3bln) 1.0975 (1bln) 1.1000(4.5bln)
GBP/USD 1.4900 (GBP 600m) 1.5000 (1.3bln) 1.5100 (602m) 1.5150 (642m)
AUD/USD 0.7000 (AUD 1.4bln) 0.7100 (814m) 0.7150 (451m) 0.7200 (500m) 0.7300 (569m)
NZD/USD 0.6500 (NZD 1.8bln) 0.6650 (1.2bln)
EUR / USD
Resistance levels (open interest**, contracts)
$1.1076 (3222)
$1.1036 (4395)
$1.0968 (4838)
Price at time of writing this review: $1.0854
Support levels (open interest**, contracts):
$1.0794 (1855)
$1.0762 (2515)
$1.0714 (5958)
Comments:
- Overall open interest on the CALL options with the expiration date January, 8 is 54387 contracts, with the maximum number of contracts with strike price $1,1100 (6852);
- Overall open interest on the PUT options with the expiration date January, 8 is 72346 contracts, with the maximum number of contracts with strike price $1,0450 (8108);
- The ratio of PUT/CALL was 1.33 versus 1.28 from the previous trading day according to data from December, 17
GBP/USD
Resistance levels (open interest**, contracts)
$1.5201 (1168)
$1.5103 (2623)
$1.5005 (527)
Price at time of writing this review: $1.4935
Support levels (open interest**, contracts):
$1.4890 (2225)
$1.4794 (1520)
$1.4696 (1049)
Comments:
- Overall open interest on the CALL options with the expiration date January, 8 is 18640 contracts, with the maximum number of contracts with strike price $1,5100 (2623);
- Overall open interest on the PUT options with the expiration date January, 8 is 18595 contracts, with the maximum number of contracts with strike price $1,5100 (3086);
- The ratio of PUT/CALL was 1.00 versus 1.00 from the previous trading day according to data from December, 17
* - The Chicago Mercantile Exchange bulletin (CME) is used for the calculation.
** - Open interest takes into account the total number of option contracts that are open at the moment.
Economic calendar (GMT0):
Time/ Region/ Event/ Period/ Previous/ Forecast/ Actual
00:00 New Zealand Westpac Consumer Sentiment Quarter IV 106
04:00 Japan BoJ Interest Rate Decision 0% 0%
04:00 Japan Bank of Japan Monetary Base Target 275 275
04:00 Japan BoJ Monetary Policy Statement
06:30 Japan BOJ Press Conference
The yen climbed after Bank of Japan unexpectedly announced an additional program to purchase ETFs at annual pace of 300 billion yen ($2.45 billion) and extended the current program of bond purchases. Policymakers voted 6 to 3 to extend the program.
The Australian dollar edged up on positive data from China, its major trading partner. MNI China business sentiment rose to 52.7 in December from 49.9 in November. Other data showed that prices of new houses in China rose by 0.9% pointing to modest growth. This gain was driven by sharp increases in Beijing and Shanghai (+7.7% y/y and 13.1% y/y respectively).
The New Zealand dollar climbed on business confidence data from ANZ. The corresponding index continued rising in December and reached 23 points compared to 14.6 in the previous month. The latest reading is the highest in eight months.
EUR/USD: the pair rose to $1.0855 in Asian trade
USD/JPY: the pair fell to Y121.95
GBP/USD: the pair traded within $1.4885-25
The most important news that are expected (GMT0):
(time / country / index / period / previous value / forecast)
09:00 Eurozone Current account, unadjusted, bln October 33.1
13:30 Canada Wholesale Sales, m/m October -0.1% 0.1%
13:30 Canada Consumer Price Index m / m November 0.1% 0.1%
13:30 Canada Consumer price index, y/y November 1.0% 1.5%
13:30 Canada Bank of Canada Consumer Price Index Core, y/y November 2.1% 2.3%
14:45 U.S. Services PMI (Preliminary) December 56.1 56
18:00 U.S. FOMC Member Laсker Speaks
West Texas Intermediate futures for January delivery is currently at $36.17 (-0.28%), while Brent crude is at $37.22 (+0.43%). Both crudes are on track to post a third week of declines (-2.2% and -2.1% respectively).
Fundamentals remain bearish. The Energy Information Administration reported on Wednesday that U.S. crude oil inventories unexpectedly rose last week. The Federal Reserve raised its interest rates this week. Higher Fed rates normally support the greenback making the dollar denominated crude more expensive for customers using other currencies. Investors are also waiting for U.S. lawmakers to vote on oil exports ban elimination.
Analysts say that oil prices have not reached the bottom yet.
Gold climbed to $1,054.20 (+0.44%) after a sharp decline in the previous session, but remained not far from a six-year low. On Wednesday the central bank of the U.S. raised its interest rates to a range of 0.25%-0.50% from 0%-0.25%. Higher rates increase the opportunity cost of holding the non-interest paying precious metal and reduce demand for it. Bullion is on track to post a nearly 2% decline this week.
Technical analysts say that the precious metal may test the key $1,000 level soon.
Assets in SPDR Gold Trust, the biggest gold-backed exchange-traded fund in the world, fell 0.70% to 630.17 tonnes on Thursday, the lowest since September 2008.
U.S. stock indices fell on Thursday weighed by declines in oil prices.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 253.25 points, or 1.4%, to 17,495.84. The S&P 500 lost 31.18 points, or 1.5%, to 2,041.89 (nine out of its 10 sectors fell; utilities edged up 0.1%). The Nasdaq Composite dropped 68.58 points, or 1.4% to 5,002.55.
In the previous session all three indices posted significant gains after the Federal Reserve raised its interest rate by 25 basis points to a range of 0.25%-0.50% expressing confidence in the U.S. economy. However later investors turned their attention to persistent concerns over global oil supply glut.
The U.S. Department of Labor reported that the number of initial jobless claims declined by 11,000 to 271,000 in the week ending December 12. Economists had expected 275,000 claims. These data point to stability in the labor market.
Meanwhile Philadelphia Fed Manufacturing Survey showed that the index of business activity fell to -5.9 points in December from 1.9 in November. Economists had expected the index to decline to 1.5.
This morning in Asia Hong Kong Hang Seng declined 0.12%, or 26.48, to 21,845.58. China Shanghai Composite Index climbed 0.12%, or 4.42, to 3.584.42. The Nikkei fell by 1.38%, or 267.31, to 19,086.25.
Asian indices traded mixed.
Japanese stocks rose after the Bank of Japan announced an additional program to purchase ETFs at annual pace of 300 billion yen ($2.45 billion). However later stocks declines as new measures were considered modest. Declines in U.S. equities weighed on stocks as well.
(raw materials / closing price /% change)
Oil 34.83 -0.34%
Gold 1,050.10 +0.05%
(index / closing price / change items /% change)
Nikkei 225 19,353.56 +303.65 +1.59 %
Hang Seng 21,872.06 +170.85 +0.79 %
Shanghai Composite 3,580.55 +64.37 +1.83 %
FTSE 100 6,102.54 +41.35 +0.68 %
CAC 40 4,677.54 +52.87 +1.14 %
Xetra DAX 10,738.12 +268.86 +2.57 %
S&P 500 2,041.89 -31.18 -1.50 %
NASDAQ Composite 5,002.55 -68.58 -1.35 %
Dow Jones 17,495.84 -253.25 -1.43 %
(pare/closed(GMT +2)/change, %)
EUR/USD $1,0825 -0,79%
GBP/USD $1,4901 -0,68%
USD/CHF Chf0,9961 +0,64%
USD/JPY Y122,54 +0,29%
EUR/JPY Y132,67 -0,50%
GBP/JPY Y182,59 -0,40%
AUD/USD $0,7125 -1,47%
NZD/USD $0,6700 -1,45%
USD/CAD C$1,3935 +1,13%
(time / country / index / period / previous value / forecast)
00:00 New Zealand Westpac Consumer Sentiment Quarter IV 106
04:00 Japan BoJ Interest Rate Decision 0%
04:00 Japan Bank of Japan Monetary Base Target 275
04:00 Japan BoJ Monetary Policy Statement
06:30 Japan BOJ Press Conference
09:00 Eurozone Current account, unadjusted, bln October 33.1
13:30 Canada Wholesale Sales, m/m October -0.1% 0.1%
13:30 Canada Consumer Price Index m / m November 0.1% 0.1%
13:30 Canada Consumer price index, y/y November 1.0% 1.5%
13:30 Canada Bank of Canada Consumer Price Index Core, y/y November 2.1% 2.3%
14:45 U.S. Services PMI (Preliminary) December 56.1 56
18:00 U.S. FOMC Member Laсker Speaks