Stock indices closed higher, speculation the European Central Bank (ECB) will add further stimulus measures still supports. Analysts expect that the ECB President Mario Draghi will announce on Thursday a 550 billion-euro bond-buying programme.

Eurozone's adjusted current account surplus fell to €18.1 billion in November from €19.5 billion in October. October's figure was revised down from a surplus of €20.5 billion. Analysts had expected a surplus of €21.3 billion.

Indexes on the close:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 100 6,585.53 +35.26 +0.54%

DAX 10,242.35 +74.58 +0.73%

CAC 40 4,394.93 +15.31 +0.35%

Oil declined from a one-week high in London and New York as Iraqi production advanced to a record, compounding a global supply surplus.

Prices slid as much as 2.1 percent in New York and 1.9 percent in London after their first weekly gain in two months. Iraq is pumping at an unprecedented pace of 4 million barrels a day, Oil Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi said. Oil extended losses after Chinese shares plunged the most since 2008 as regulators cracked down on margin lending.

Crude slumped almost 50 percent last year as the U.S. pumped oil at the fastest rate in more than three decades while the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries resisted calls to cut supply. Iraq's oil production rose to a 35-year high in December and could break more records in the coming months, according to the International Energy Agency.

"With supply exceeding demand it still seems highly likely that the market will fall further," Christopher Bellew, senior broker at Jefferies International Ltd. in London, said by e-mail. "Rallies above $50 have proved very short-lived and my expectation is for the price to move in a sideways range until the next move to the downside, which I expect to take the price to $40 or lower."

Brent for March settlement slid as much as 95 cents to $49.22 a barrel on the London-based ICE Futures Europe exchange. It gained 3.9 percent to $50.17 on Jan. 16, the highest settlement since Jan. 8. It was at $49.45 at 2:20 p.m. London time. The European benchmark crude was at a premium of $1.18 to WTI for the same month.

West Texas Intermediate for February delivery, which expires on Jan. 20, dropped as much as $1.03 to $47.66 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The more active March future fell 85 cents to $48.28. The volume of all futures traded was 32 percent below the 100-day average for the time of day. Prices rose 0.7 percent last week.

The U.S. dollar traded mixed against the most major currencies.

U.S. markets are closed for Martin Luther King holiday.

The euro traded higher against the U.S. dollar on speculation that the European Central Bank will announce the bond-buying programme on Thursday.

Eurozone's adjusted current account surplus fell to €18.1 billion in November from €19.5 billion in October. October's figure was revised down from a surplus of €20.5 billion. Analysts had expected a surplus of €21.3 billion.

The British pound traded higher against the U.S. dollar in the absence of any major economic reports from the U.K.

The Canadian dollar traded slightly higher against the U.S. dollar despite the weaker-than-expected foreign investment figures from Canada. Foreign securities purchases in Canada rose by C$4.29 billion in November, missing expectations for a gain by C$7.23 billion, after a rise by C$9.53 billion in October.

The Swiss franc traded lower against the U.S. dollar. Switzerland's producer and import prices declined 0.4% in December, beating forecasts of a 0.6% rise, after a 0.7% fall in November.

On a yearly basis, producer and import prices decreased 2.1% in December, missing expectation for a 1.5% decline, after a 1.6% drop in November.

The Swiss Franc plunged against the greenback last Thursday as the Swiss National Bank announced today that it will discontinue the 1.20 per euro exchange rate floor. But the SNB added that will remain active in the foreign exchange market.

The New Zealand dollar traded lower against the U.S. dollar in the absence of any major economic reports from New Zealand. In the overnight trading session, the kiwi traded higher against the greenback.

The Australian dollar traded higher against the U.S. dollar. In the overnight trading session, the Aussie traded lower against the greenback despite solid new motor vehicle sales data for Australia. Australia's new motor vehicle sales rose 3.0% in December, after a 0.5% drop in November. November's figure was revised up from a 0.6% decline.

The Japanese yen traded lower against the U.S. dollar. In the overnight trading session, the yen traded higher against the greenback due to risk aversion and solid economic data from Japan. Japan's final industrial production declined 0.5% in November, up from the 0.6% drop estimated earlier.

Japan's consumer confidence index increased to 38.8 in December from 37.7 in November, beating expectations for a rise to 38.6.

Gold prices held near a four-month high due to the instability in world markets, increases the demand for low-risk assets.

Stocks of the world's largest gold ETF-secured fund SPDR Gold Trust on Friday rose 1.92 percent to 730.89 tons, which was the maximum daily increase since May 2010.

"Volatility in the European currency markets stimulates demand for gold as a safe asset," - said an analyst at ANZ Victor Tyanpiriya.

Euro against the dollar held near 11-year low, as analysts almost certain that at a meeting on Thursday, the ECB announced the commencement of purchase of government bonds. Traders are waiting for data on China's GDP in the fourth quarter and the outcome of the meeting of the Bank of Japan.

Last Thursday, the Swiss National Bank shocked markets abandonment of the exchange rate of 1.20 francs per euro, making it clear that he expects that during the upcoming meeting on Thursday the ECB will resort to quantitative easing.

This decision came as a surprise to the financial markets, with the result that the Swiss franc has appreciated in all directions.

Index USD, which measures the strength of the US dollar against a basket of six major currencies, fell 0.35% to 92.72.

The cost of the February gold futures on the COMEX today fell to 1273.10 dollars per ounce.

Statistics Canada released foreign investment figures on Monday. Foreign securities purchases in Canada rose by C$4.29 billion in November, missing expectations for a gain by C$7.23 billion, after a rise by C$9.53 billion in October.

International investors divested C$580 million of stocks, the first monthly divestment since August 2013.

French President François Hollande said on Monday the European Central Bank (ECB) will decide on Thursday to buy government bonds, "which will provide significant liquidity to the European economy and create a movement that is favourable to growth".

An ECB spokesman declined to comment.

The comments from the French president were surprising as the ECB is independent from governments.

EUR/USD: $1.1700(E335mn)

USD/JPY: Y114.00($800mn), Y117.00($600mn), Y118.50($390mn)

GBP/USD: $1.5340(stg195mn)

USD/CHF: Chf0.9160-70($800mn)

AUD/USD: $0.7980(A$450mn), $0.8250(A$325mn)

NZD/USD: $0.7780(NZ$200mn), $0.7900(NZ$221mn)

Economic calendar (GMT0):

(Time/ Region/ Event/ Period/ Previous/ Forecast/ Actual)

00:01 United Kingdom Rightmove House Price Index (MoM) January -2.2% Revised From -3.3% +1.4%

00:01 United Kingdom Rightmove House Price Index (YoY) January +7.0% +8.2%

00:30 Australia New Motor Vehicle Sales (MoM) December -0.5% Revised From -0.6% +3.0%

00:30 Australia New Motor Vehicle Sales (YoY) December -3.7% Revised From -3.8% -1.0%

04:30 Japan Industrial Production (MoM) (Finally) November -0.6% -0.6% -0.5%

04:30 Japan Industrial Production (YoY) (Finally) November -3.8% -3.8% -3.7%

05:00 Japan Consumer Confidence December 37.7 38.6 38.8

08:15 Switzerland Producer & Import Prices, m/m December -0.7% -0.6% -0.4%

08:15 Switzerland Producer & Import Prices, y/y December -1.6% -1.5% -2.1%

09:00 Eurozone Current account, adjusted, bln November 19.5 Revised From 20.5 21.3 18.1

11:00 Germany Bundesbank Monthly Report

13:00 U.S. Bank holiday

The U.S. dollar traded mixed against the most major currencies.

U.S. markets are closed for Martin Luther King holiday.

The euro rose against the U.S. dollar on speculation that the European Central Bank will announce the bond-buying programme on Thursday.

Eurozone's adjusted current account surplus fell to €18.1 billion in November from €19.5 billion in October. October's figure was revised down from a surplus of €20.5 billion. Analysts had expected a surplus of €21.3 billion.

The British pound traded slightly higher against the U.S. dollar in the absence of any major economic reports from the U.K.

The Canadian dollar traded mixed against the U.S. dollar ahead of foreign securities purchases from Canada. Foreign securities purchases in Canada are expected to rise by C$7.23 billion in November, after a C$9.53 increase in October.

The Swiss franc traded lower against the U.S. dollar. Switzerland's producer and import prices declined 0.4% in December, beating forecasts of a 0.6% rise, after a 0.7% fall in November.

On a yearly basis, producer and import prices decreased 2.1% in December, missing expectation for a 1.5% decline, after a 1.6% drop in November.

The Swiss Franc plunged against the greenback last Thursday as the Swiss National Bank announced today that it will discontinue the 1.20 per euro exchange rate floor. But the SNB added that will remain active in the foreign exchange market.

EUR/USD: the currency pair rose to $1.1627

GBP/USD: the currency pair increased to $1.5180

USD/JPY: the currency pair climbed to $117.46

The most important news that are expected (GMT0):

13:30 Canada Foreign Securities Purchases November 9.53 7.23

21:00 New Zealand NZIER Business Confidence Quarter IV 19

EUR/USD

Offers $1.1710, $1.1700, $1.1675, $1.1640/50

Bids $1.1500/490, $1.1450, $1.1400

GBP/USD

Offers $1.5230/35, $1.5200/10

Bids $1.5055/50

AUD/USD

Offers $0.8390/00, $0.8350, $0.8300, $0.8250

Bids $0.8180, $0.8150, $0.8110/00

EUR/JPY

Offers Y137.90/00, Y137.50, Y137.00, Y136.50

Bids Y135.50, Y135.00, Y134.50

USD/JPY

Offers Y118.50, Y118.00, Y117.45/50

Bids Y116.80, Y116.50, Y116.20/00

EUR/GBP

Offers stg0.7700, stg0.7680

Bids

The Swiss National Bank (SNB) released its monetary policy data for the week ending 16 January 2015 on Monday. The report showed that the amount of cash commercial banks hold with the SNB rose last week. Sight deposits increased by 10.6 billion francs to 339.6 billion francs, according to SNB data. That was the biggest weekly increase since the end of December.

Data indicates that the central bank may have intervened before discontinuing the 1.20 per euro exchange rate floor.

The European Central Bank (ECB) Governing Council member Ewald Nowotny told in an interview to Austrian newspaper Tiroler Tageszeitung published on Monday that the ECB's possibilities "are limited".

Nowotny does not believe that there will deflation in the Eurozone in 2015.

European indices added small gains in today's trading amid expectations on further stimulus measures launched by the ECB after its policy meeting on January 22^nd. Investors seem to be risk aversive until the size and nature of the measures taken by the ECB will be known after the high volatility markets have seen last week. The ECB president will probably announce a 550 billion-euro bond purchase program, according to Bloomberg.

Eurozone's adjusted Current Account declined with a reading of 18.1 billion euro. Analysts expected an increase to 21.3 from a previous reading of 20.5 billion.

In today's session the FTSE 100 index advanced by +0.11% quoted at 6,557.49. France's CAC 40 added +0.20% trading at 4,388.40. Germany's DAX 30 is currently trading +0.44% above the psychologically important level of 10,000 at 10,213.00 close to its all-time high.

Brent crude and West Texas Intermediate could not extend last week's gains. On Friday Oil prices rose more than $ 1, departing multi-year lows, which was due to new forecasts from the International Energy Agency. Today, in its monthly report the IEA said that this year the prices may recover. The agency downgraded the outlook for production from countries outside OPEC. "Where will the market bottom is anyone's guess. But the sale does not go unnoticed - said IEA. Brent Crude lost -0.68%, currently trading at USD49.83 a barrel. West Texas Intermediate declined by -1.01% currently quoted at USD48.20 as Iraq further boosts production to 4 million barrels a day adding to the global glut. Slumping Chinese stocks put further pressure on oil prices.

Oil prices fell by nearly 60 percent over the past six months, and both the key brand of oil is currently trading below $ 50 a barrel as the supply of high quality light crude oil from the United States and Canada exceeded demand in a period of low global economic growth.

Today trading volumes are expected to be low as U.S. markets are closed due to a bank holiday.

EUR/USD: $1.1700(E335mn)

USD/JPY: Y114.00($800mn), Y117.00($600mn), Y118.50($390mn)

GBP/USD: $1.5340(stg195mn)

USD/CHF: Chf0.9160-70($800mn)

AUD/USD: $0.7980(A$450mn), $0.8250(A$325mn)

NZD/USD: $0.7780(NZ$200mn), $0.7900(NZ$221mn)

Gold prices declined today from a new four-month high hit on Friday before ECB policy makers meet on January 22nd to decide on future stimulus measures. On Friday Gold prices rose sharply, reaching a four-month high, and went to his largest weekly gain in the last 17 months (+ 4.5%). According to Bloomberg holdings in the largest exchange traded product increased the most since 2010 as gold benefits from political uncertainty being a haven investment. Markets also await the outcome of the elections in Greece scheduled for January 25^th. Recently gold-prices were boosted by the surprise move of the SNB. The SNB decided to discontinue the minimum exchange rate of 1.20 per euro and lowered interest rates more into negative territory to -0.75. The precious metal became more expensive in recent day's despite the significant strengthening of the US dollar, which usually causes a backlash.

The precious metal is currently quoted at USD1,276.50, -0,20% a troy ounce.

BLOOMBERG

Draghi Push Seen Delivering $635 Billion With QE Forecast

Mario Draghi is likely to announce a 550 billion-euro ($635 billion) bond-purchase program this week and won't skimp too much on the details, economists say.

The European Central Bank president will make his biggest push yet to steer the euro area away from deflation by announcing quantitative easing on Jan. 22, according to 93 percent of respondents in a Bloomberg News survey. The median estimate of the size of the package tops the 500 billion euros in models presented to officials this month.

Source: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2015-01-19/draghi-s-big-push-seen-delivering-635-billion-with-qe-this-week.html

REUTERS

'Abenomics' architect says no need for more BOJ easing

(Reuters) - The Bank of Japan does not need to ease monetary policy further this year unless the economy is hit by a severe external shock, a ruling party lawmaker and one of the architects of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's "Abenomics" reflationary policies told Reuters on Monday.

Slumping oil prices and the hit on consumption from a sales tax hike mean the central bank is unlikely to meet its pledge of achieving its 2 percent inflation target during the fiscal year beginning in April, Kozo Yamamoto, a leading expert on fiscal and monetary policy in Abe's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, said.

Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/01/19/us-japan-economy-boj-idUSKBN0KS0MO20150119

BLOOMBERG

Swiss Franc Eclipses Ruble on Volatility Scale: Chart of the Day

There is a new volatility leader in town and it's not the Russian ruble.

The CHART OF THE DAY shows that price swings in the Swiss franc surpassed those on the ruble, the world's most volatile currency of the past 12 months, after Switzerland's central bank unexpectedly abandoned a cap on its value on Jan. 15. Fluctuations in the franc jumped to five times of those in the Russian currency on a 24-hour basis that day and they're still higher, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

Source: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2015-01-19/swiss-franc-eclipses-ruble-on-volatility-scale-chart-of-the-day.html

European indices inch up in early trading on Monday fuelled by expectations that the ECB will embark into quantitative easing after its upcoming policy meeting on January 22^nd. An interim ruling by the European Court of Justice stated that QE is "in principle" in line with European legislation. The CAC40, the DAX and FTSE100 extend last week's strong gains. Eurozone's adjusted Current Account declined with a reading of 18.1 billion euro. Analysts expected an increase to 21.3 from a previous reading of 20.5 billion.

The FTSE 100 index is currently trading +0.53% quoted at 6,585.20 points, Germany's DAX 30 added +0.74% trading at 10,242.52, slightly below the new all-time high. France's CAC 40 gained +0.17%, currently trading at 4,387.19 points.

Market participants are looking forward to the publication of the Bundesbank Monthly Report. U.S. markets are closed today due to a bank holiday.

U.S. markets closed higher on Friday after 5 losing days with consumer sentiment at the highest in 11 years in January before being closed today for a bank holiday. Friday's data showed U.S. household confidence rose on a strengthening job market and slumping fuel costs. The Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan preliminary consumer sentiment index rose to 98.2 in January from a final reading of 93.6 in December, exceeding expectations for an increase to 94.2. That was the highest level since January 2004. The DOW JONES index added +1.10%, rising 190 points, closing at 17,511.57. The S&P 500 rose by +1.34% with a final quote of 2,019.42, regaining the level of 2,000 points with all sectors being positive. The energy sector led gains.

Chinese stock markets slumped the most in 6-years on Monday as regulators rein in record margin lending. Two of the biggest listed security firms were suspended from lending money to new trading clients. Hong Kong's Hang Seng is trading -1.62% at 23,713.02 points. China's Shanghai Composite closed at 3,116.44 points, a slump of -7.70% with 100 stocks retreating the maximum allowed. The index has risen 2.8% last week, a tenth week of consecutive gains.

Japan's Nikkei rose on Monday after solid U.S. data and a weaker Japanese yen fuelling exporter shares. The index closed +0.89% at 17,014.29 points recovering from a 2-1/2-month low hit on Friday. Data on Japanese Industrial Production for November was better than expected with a decline by -0.5%, analysts expected -0.6%. On a yearly basis Industrial Production had a reading of -3.7% versus the estimated -3.8%. Consumer Confidence rose to 38.8 beating forecasts of 38.6 and a previous reading of 37.7 in November. The BOJ policy meeting will start tomorrow to decide on further stimulus measures after it's unprecedented bond-buying program starter in October last year.

(Time/ Region/ Event/ Period/ Previous/ Forecast/ Actual

00:01 United Kingdom Rightmove House Price Index (MoM) January -2.2% (revised) +1.4%

00:01 United Kingdom Rightmove House Price Index (YoY) January +7.0% +8.2%

00:30 Australia New Motor Vehicle Sales (MoM) December -0.5% (revised) +3.0%

00:30 Australia New Motor Vehicle Sales (YoY) December -3.7% (revised) -1.0%

04:30 Japan Industrial Production (MoM) (Finally) November -0.6% -0.6% -0.5%

04:30 Japan Industrial Production (YoY) (Finally) November -3.8% -3.8% -3.7%

05:00 Japan Consumer Confidence December 37.7 38.6 38.8

The U.S. dollar traded mixed against its major peers during the Asian session after Friday's data showed U.S. household confidence rose on a strengthening job market and slumping fuel costs. The Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan preliminary consumer sentiment index rose to 98.2 in January from a final reading of 93.6 in December, exceeding expectations for an increase to 94.2. That was the highest level since January 2004. The euro recovered from 12-year lows but is still under pressure by the prospect of QE by the ECB. Today U.S. markets are closed due to a bank holiday.

The Australian dollar traded slightly lower against the greenback after reaching a one-month high last week. New Motor Vehicle Sales rose more-than-expected from revised -0.5% in November to +3.0% in December. On a yearly basis Sales declined by -1.0% compared to -3.7 in the previous month. Inflation for December declined to 0.0% after a previous reading of +0.1% making it 1.5% on a yearly basis.

New Zealand's dollar traded higher against the greenback in the absence of major economic data. Today investors await the NZIER Business confidence for the fourth quarter due at 21:00 GMT.

The Japanese yen declined after a sharp rise on Friday versus the greenback. Friday's gains were driven by a steep rout in Chinese equities which led to a stronger demand for the haven currency as market participants became more risk sensitive. In today's session data on Japanese Industrial Production for November was better than expected with a decline by -0.5%, analysts expected -0.6%. On a yearly basis Industrial Production had a reading of -3.7% versus the estimated -3.8%. Consumer Confidence rose to 38.8 beating forecasts of 38.6 and a previous reading of 37.7 in November. The BOJ policy meeting will start tomorrow to decide on further stimulus measures after it's unprecedented bond-buying program starter in October last year.

EUR/USD: the euro traded higher against the greenback

USD/JPY: the U.S. dollar traded stronger against the yen

The most important news that are expected (GMT0):

(time / country / index / period / previous value / forecast)

08:15 Switzerland Producer & Import Prices, m/m December -0.7% -0.6%

08:15 Switzerland Producer & Import Prices, y/y December -1.6% -1.5%

09:00 Eurozone Current account, adjusted, bln November 20.5 21.3

11:00 Germany Bundesbank Monthly Report

13:00 U.S. Bank holiday

13:30 Canada Foreign Securities Purchases November 9.53 7.23

21:00 New Zealand NZIER Business Confidence Quarter IV 19

EUR / USD

Resistance levels (open interest**, contracts)

$1.1874 (3016)

$1.1783 (820)

$1.1697 (119)

Price at time of writing this review: $ 1.1557

Support levels (open interest**, contracts):

$1.1480 (6973)

$1.1432 (5816)

$1.1375 (4076)

Comments:

- Overall open interest on the CALL options with the expiration date February, 6 is 56208 contracts, with the maximum number of contracts with strike price $1,2100 (5544);

- Overall open interest on the PUT options with the expiration date February, 6 is 66095 contracts, with the maximum number of contracts with strike price $1,1700 (6973);

- The ratio of PUT/CALL was 1.18 versus 1.17 from the previous trading day according to data from January, 16

GBP/USD

Resistance levels (open interest**, contracts)

$1.5405 (393)

$1.5308 (410)

$1.5212 (999)

Price at time of writing this review: $1.5143

Support levels (open interest**, contracts):

$1.5089 (1632)

$1.4992 (912)

$1.4894 (1418)

Comments:

- Overall open interest on the CALL options with the expiration date February, 6 is 15406 contracts, with the maximum number of contracts with strike price $1,5800 (1108);

- Overall open interest on the PUT options with the expiration date February, 6 is 16390 contracts, with the maximum number of contracts with strike price $1,5100 (1632);

- The ratio of PUT/CALL was 1.06 versus 1.12 from the previous trading day according to data from January, 16

* - 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.

(raw materials / closing price /% change)

Light Crude 48.69 +5.28%

Gold 1,276.90 +0.96%

(index / closing price / change items /% change)

Nikkei 225 16,864.16 -244.54 -1.43%

Hang Seng 24,103.52 -247.39 -1.02%

Shanghai Composite 3,377.43 +40.98 +1.23%

FTSE 100 6,550.27 +51.49 +0.79%

CAC 40 4,379.62 +56.42 +1.31%

Xetra DAX 10,167.77 +135.16 +1.35%

S&P 500 2,019.42 +26.75 +1.34%

NASDAQ Composite 4,634.38 +63.56 +1.39%

Dow Jones 17,511.57 +190.86 +1.10%

(pare/closed(GMT +2)/change, %)

EUR/USD $1,1568 -0,55%

GBP/USD $1,5157 -0,16%

USD/CHF Chf0,8563 +2,09%

USD/JPY Y117,60 +1,23%

EUR/JPY Y136,03 +0,68%

GBP/JPY Y178,24 +1,05%

AUD/USD $0,8235 +0,22%

NZD/USD $0,7785 -0,46%

USD/CAD C$1,1965 +0,04%

(time / country / index / period / previous value / forecast)

00:01 United Kingdom Rightmove House Price Index (MoM) January -3.3%

00:01 United Kingdom Rightmove House Price Index (YoY) January +7.0%

00:30 Australia New Motor Vehicle Sales (MoM) December -0.6%

00:30 Australia New Motor Vehicle Sales (YoY) December -3.8%

04:30 Japan Industrial Production (MoM) (Finally) November -0.6% -0.6%

04:30 Japan Industrial Production (YoY) (Finally) November -3.8% -3.8%

05:00 Japan Consumer Confidence December 37.7 38.6

08:15 Switzerland Producer & Import Prices, m/m December -0.7% -0.6%

08:15 Switzerland Producer & Import Prices, y/y December -1.6% -1.5%

09:00 Eurozone Current account, adjusted, bln November 20.5 21.3

11:00 Germany Bundesbank Monthly Report

13:00 U.S. Bank holiday

13:30 Canada Foreign Securities Purchases November 9.53 7.23

21:00 New Zealand NZIER Business Confidence Quarter IV 19