The main indices of Wall Street have slightly increased, as investors expect a reduction in corporate tax rates, which will prompt companies to spend their additional capital on dividends, new projects and higher wages.

In addition, as it became known today, the US economy grew at the fastest pace for more than two years in the third quarter, relying on reliable business expenses, and is ready for what can be gained modestly in the coming year from drastic tax cuts taken Congress. The GDP grew by 3.2 percent year-on-year in the previous quarter, the Ministry of Commerce reported in its third GDP estimate. Although the estimate fell slightly from the 3.3 percent reported last month, it was the fastest rate since the first quarter of 2015 and was higher than the 3.1 percent increase in the second quarter. It also marked the first time since 2014 that the economy showed an increase of 3 percent or more for two consecutive quarters. But the growth rate for the period from July to September, probably, overestimate the health of the economy. Economists expected that GDP growth will be at the level of 3.3 percent.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Labor stated that the number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits for the first time increased more than expected last week, but the main trend remained in line with the tightening of the labor market. Initial applications for state unemployment benefits increased by 20,000 to 245,000, seasonally adjusted for the week ending December 16. Data for the previous week were not revised. Since mid-October, applications have been limited to a range of 223,000 to 252,000. Economists expected that circulation would rise to 231,000.

Most components of the DOW index finished trading in positive territory (19 out of 30). The leader of growth was shares of Chevron Corporation (CVX, + 3.61%). Outsider were shares of Intel Corporation (INTC, -1.62%).

Almost all sectors of the S & P index recorded an increase. The raw materials sector grew most (+ 1.6%). The utilities sector showed the greatest decrease (-0.8%).

At closing:

DJIA + 0.22% 24.782.15 +55.50

Nasdaq + 0.06% 6.965.36 +4.40

S & P + 0.20% 2.684.58 +5.33

U.S. house prices rose in October, up 0.5 percent from the previous month, according to the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) seasonally adjusted monthly House Price Index (HPI). The previously reported 0.3 percent increase in September was revised upward to 0.5 percent. The FHFA monthly HPI is calculated using home sales price information from mortgages sold to, or guaranteed by, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. From October 2016 to October 2017, house prices were up 6.6 percent.

For the nine census divisions, seasonally adjusted monthly price changes from September 2017 to October 2017 ranged from -0.4 percent in the West North Central division to +2.8 percent in the East South Central division. The 12-month changes were all positive, ranging from +4.8 percent in the West North Central division to +8.7 percent in the Pacific division.

• Change is for balance-sheet purposes only, has no implications for monetary policy

U.S. stock-index futures were slightly higher on Thursday as the Republican tax reform passed its final vote before going to President Donald Trump for his signature.

Global Stocks:

Nikkei 22,866.10 -25.62 -0.11%

Hang Seng 29,367.06 +132.97 +0.45%

Shanghai 3,300.68 +13.08 +0.40%

S&P/ASX 6,060.40 -15.20 -0.25%

FTSE 13,072.56 +3.39 +0.03%

CAC 5,351.45 -1.32 -0.02%

DAX 13,062.19 -6.98 -0.05%

Crude $57.78 (-0.53%)

Gold $1,268.90 (-0.06%)

Higher sales at new car dealers were the main contributor to the gain. Excluding sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers, retail sales increased 0.8%.

Sales were up in 7 of 11 subsectors, representing 79% of retail trade.

After removing the effects of price changes, retail sales in volume terms increased 1.4%.

Motor vehicle and parts dealers (+3.3%) recorded the largest gain in dollar terms across all subsectors. The increase was largely attributable to higher sales at new car dealers (+3.9%). Used car dealers (+1.7%) and automotive parts, accessories and tire stores (+1.2%) also posted higher sales. Sales at other motor vehicle dealers (-0.3%) were down for the third time in four months.

In the week ending December 16, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 245,000, an increase of 20,000 from the previous week's unrevised level of 225,000. The 4-week moving average was 236,000, an increase of 1,250 from the previous week's unrevised average of 234,750.

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased 2.1% on a year-over-year basis in November, following a 1.4% increase in October. The all-items excluding gasoline index rose 1.5% year over year in November after increasing 1.3% in October.

Prices were up in seven of the eight major CPI components in the 12 months to November, with the transportation and shelter indexes contributing the most to the increase. The clothing and footwear index declined on a year-over-year basis.

Transportation prices rose 5.9% on a year-over-year basis in November, following a 3.0% increase in October. Gasoline prices contributed the most to this acceleration, rising 19.6% year over year in November, after increasing 6.5% the previous month. The increase was partly attributable to higher crude oil prices in November, as well as a monthly decline one year earlier. The purchase of passenger vehicles index also accelerated to 3.6% on a year-over-year basis in November, following a 1.9% rise in October. The November increase was partly attributable to the greater availability of new 2018 model year vehicles.

Real gross domestic product (GDP) increased at an annual rate of 3.2 percent in the third quarter of 2017, according to the "third" estimate released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis. In the second quarter, real GDP increased 3.1 percent.

In the second estimate, the increase in real GDP was 3.3 percent. With this third estimate for the third quarter, personal consumption expenditures increased less than previously estimated, but the general picture of economic growth remains the same.

Real gross domestic income (GDI) increased 2.0 percent in the third quarter, compared with an increase of 2.3 percent in the second. The average of real GDP and real GDI, a supplemental measure of U.S. economic activity that equally weights GDP and GDI, increased 2.6 percent in the third quarter, compared with an increase of 2.7 percent in the second quarter

(company / ticker / price / change ($/%) / volume)

Chevron (CVX) target raised to $160 at Cowen

Caterpillar (CAT) target raised to $160 from $145 at Citigroup

Exxon Mobil (XOM) upgraded to Focus Stock at Scotia Howard Weil

JPMorgan Chase (JPM) upgraded to Buy from Neutral at Buckingham Research

On daily time frame chart, we can see that the price is stuck in a consolidation zone.

We also can see that the price didn't respect the candlestick pattern.

However, if it keeps rejects the top of the consolidation then it can be possible to see the price falling to the bottom of the consolidation.

Public sector net borrowing (excluding public sector banks) decreased by £3.1 billion to £48.1 billion in the current financial year-to-date (April 2017 to November 2017), compared with the same period in 2016; this is the lowest year-to-date net borrowing since 2007.

Public sector net borrowing (excluding public sector banks) decreased by £0.2 billion to £8.7 billion in November 2017, compared with November 2016; this is the lowest November net borrowing since 2007.

The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) forecast that public sector net borrowing (excluding public sector banks) will be £49.9 billion during the financial year ending March 2018, an increase of £4.4 billion on the outturn net borrowing in the financial year ending March 2017.

Analyzing USD/JPY on 4-hour time frame chart we can see that the price is forming a chart pattern "Head and shoulders" (not yet confirm).

Therefore, if the price starts to reject more bullish movements then we can expect a new bearish movement which forms the 2^nd shoulder of this pattern.

EUR/USD

Resistance levels (open interest**, contracts)

$1.2007 (3476)

$1.1986 (3744)

$1.1955 (616)

Price at time of writing this review: $1.1872

Support levels (open interest**, contracts):

$1.1790 (4781)

$1.1745 (3565)

$1.1697 (3931)

Comments:

- Overall open interest on the CALL options and PUT options with the expiration date January, 5 is 93791 contracts (according to data from December, 20) with the maximum number of contracts with strike price $1,2200 (5579);

GBP/USD

Resistance levels (open interest**, contracts)

$1.3508 (2616)

$1.3469 (1586)

$1.3447 (859)

Price at time of writing this review: $1.3358

Support levels (open interest**, contracts):

$1.3322 (1842)

$1.3283 (2726)

$1.3240 (2768)

Comments:

- Overall open interest on the CALL options with the expiration date January, 5 is 31665 contracts, with the maximum number of contracts with strike price $1,3500 (4167);

- Overall open interest on the PUT options with the expiration date January, 5 is 33343 contracts, with the maximum number of contracts with strike price $1,3250 (2768);

- The ratio of PUT/CALL was 1.05 versus 1.04 from the previous trading day according to data from December, 20

* - 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.

• Bitcoin is now an instrument of speculative interest

• Maintains 10-year jgb yield target around zero pct

• Short-term interest rate target at -0.1 pct

• Consumption increasing moderately

• Raises assessment on capital expenditure

Foreign trade developed dynamically in November 2017. Within a year, exports rose by 9.5 per cent on a working day adjusted basis, while imports even grew by 16.4 per cent. Higher prices of goods played an important role here: real exports rose by 4.4 percent and imports by 6.8 percent. The trade balance closed with a surplus of 2.7 billion francs. Compared to the same month last year, exports increased by 9.5 on a working day adjusted basis Percent (real: + 4.4 percent). Relative to October 2017, exports decreased seasonally adjusted by 1.5 percent.

European stock markets dropped for a second straight day on Wednesday, with some preholiday selling taking place as the U.S. made a huge leap forward in approving highly anticipated tax reform.

Stock-market indexes closed marginally lower on Wednesday, with the Dow and S&P 500 retreating from record levels for a second session, as congressional Republicans sent tax-cut legislation to President Donald Trump for his signature. The small declines by major indexes belied bullish market breadth, however. Exchange data showed advancers outnumbered decliners on the NYSE and Nasdaq.

Asian markets offered a muted reaction on Thursday to the passage of US tax cuts as benefits to company bottom lines were already baked into stock prices, while bonds were spooked by the blowout in government debt needed to fund the giveaways.

(raw materials / closing price /% change)

Oil 58.02 -0.12%

Gold 1269.40 -0.02%

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

Nikkei +23.72 22891.72 +0.10%

TOPIX +5.98 1821.16 +0.33%

Hang Seng -19.57 29234.09 -0.07%

CSI 300 -4.84 4030.49 -0.12%

Euro Stoxx 50 -29.57 3552.65 -0.83%

FTSE 100 -18.87 7525.22 -0.25%

DAX -146.62 13069.17 -1.11%

CAC 40 -30.14 5352.77 -0.56%

DJIA -28.10 24726.65 -0.11%

S&P 500 -2.22 2679.25 -0.08%

NASDAQ -2.89 6960.96 -0.04%

S&P/TSX +26.32 16159.67 +0.16%

(pare/closed(GMT +3)/change, %)

EUR/USD $1,1871 +0,26%

GBP/USD $1,3375 -0,07%

USD/CHF Chf0,98672 +0,19%

USD/JPY Y113,38 +0,44%

EUR/JPY Y134,59 +0,70%

GBP/JPY Y151,649 +0,37%

AUD/USD $0,7665 +0,05%

NZD/USD $0,7012 +0,57%

USD/CAD C$1,28341 -0,34%

00:30 Australia RBA Bulletin

03:00 Japan BoJ Interest Rate Decision -0.1% -0.1%

03:00 Japan BoJ Monetary Policy Statement

06:30 Japan BOJ Press Conference

07:00 Switzerland Trade Balance November 2.333 2.877

09:30 United Kingdom PSNB, bln November -7.46

13:30 Canada Retail Sales YoY October 6.2%

13:30 Canada Retail Sales, m/m October 0.1% 0%

13:30 Canada Consumer price index, y/y November 1.4% 1.3%

13:30 Canada Consumer Price Index m / m November 0.1% 0%

13:30 Canada Bank of Canada Consumer Price Index Core, y/y November 0.9% 0.8%

13:30 Canada Retail Sales ex Autos, m/m October 0.3% 0%

13:30 U.S. Continuing Jobless Claims December 1886 1928

13:30 U.S. PCE price index ex food, energy, q/q (Finally) Quarter III 0.9% 1.4%

13:30 U.S. Initial Jobless Claims December 225 241

13:30 U.S. Philadelphia Fed Manufacturing Survey December 22.7 23.0

13:30 U.S. Chicago Federal National Activity Index November 0.65 0.09

13:30 U.S. GDP, q/q (Finally) Quarter III 3.1% 3.3%

14:00 U.S. Housing Price Index, m/m October 0.3% 0.2%

15:00 Eurozone Consumer Confidence (Preliminary) December 0.1 0.0

15:00 U.S. Leading Indicators November 1.2% 0.4%