U.S. stocks slipped, with benchmark indexes near records, before data Friday that may show the economy contracted in the first quarter while investors watch for progress on Greek debt talks.

Greece's international creditors have since lined up to say that the two sides are still far apart on a debt-relief deal before a payment deadline next week. While Greece isn't on the G-7's official agenda, the topic may dominate discussions on the sidelines, as ministers from the world's biggest economies urged a resolution of the crisis to stop it from spilling beyond Europe's borders.

Meanwhile, investors continue to assess economic reports for clues on the timing of a Federal Reserve interest-rate increase. Data today showed jobless claims increased by 7,000, but remained below 300,000 for the 12th straight week. In a separate report, a measure of pending home resales climbed more than forecast to the highest level in nine years.

A report due Friday may also show the U.S. economy contracted in the first quarter, according to economists' estimates, compared with a prior reading showing growth. Fed policy makers are preparing to raise rates that they've held near zero since December 2008, with economists expecting a first increase in September, according to a survey.

Fed Bank of San Francisco President John Williams said Thursday the U.S. will likely raise rates later this year as the world's biggest economy recovers from a weak first quarter. His comments echo those of Fed Chair Janet Yellen, who said last week she still expects to raise borrowing costs this year if the economy meets her forecasts, with a gradual pace of tightening to follow.

Global markets retreated Thursday after Chinese stocks plunged the most in four months, as brokerages tightened lending restrictions and the central bank drained cash from the financial system.

The dollar weakened against most major currencies after data on the US labor market. The number of Americans who first applied for unemployment benefits rose last week but remained near the values ​​indicating a stable situation on the labor market. This was reported in the Labor Department report. The number of initial applications for unemployment benefits rose by 7,000 to a seasonally adjusted, reaching 282,000 in the week ended May 23. Economists had expected 270,000 new claims. We also add the figure for the previous week was revised up to 275 000 from 274 000. The Labor Department said that no special factors did not affect the latest data. Meanwhile, it became known that the moving average for 4 weeks, which smooths the volatile weekly data, rose by 5000 - to 271 500 (the lowest value since April 2000). Meanwhile, the number of people who continue to receive unemployment benefits rose by 11,000 to 2.2 million. For the week ended May 16. Recall data on re-treatment come with a week delay.

The pound fell sharply against the US dollar, falling below $ 1.5300 and headed for the minimum values ​​since May 8, as data on British GDP were worse than expected. The revised data provided by the Office for National Statistics showed: in-kind British GDP increased by 0.3% between the fourth quarter of 2014 and the first quarter of 2015. It is worth emphasizing, unedited figure was compared with the previous estimate of GDP, published April 28. Analysts expect that the economy will expand by 0.4% against growth of 0.6% in the fourth quarter. Compared with the first quarter of 2014 UK GDP (in real terms) increased by 2.4%, also in line with the preliminary data published earlier. However, experts predicted expansion of 2.5% against growth of 3.0% in the fourth quarter. Office for National Statistics said that GDP in current prices increased by 0.9% between the 4th quarter 2014 and 1st quarter of 2015. Meanwhile, over the same period per capita GDP increased by 0.1%. The ONS said that business investment grew by 1.7 percent during the first three months of the year (up from the second quarter of 2014) against the forecast of 1.0 percent and economists decline of 0.9 percent at the end of 2014. But trade was the main "brake" of the economy, subtracting 0.9 percentage points from quarterly GDP growth. Meanwhile, household spending rose 0.5 percent, slightly slowing the pace compared to the end of 2014.

Polish equity market retreated on Thursday. The broad market benchmark - the WIG index dropped by 0.55%, while the large liquid companies measure - the WIG30 index fell by 0.82%.

Of the WIG30 index components, only 5 names managed to generate positive results. KERNEL (WSE: KER) topped the list of the best performers, posting a 3.13% growth as the market cheered the company's good quarterly results. It was followed by ASSECO POLAND (WSE: ACP), ING BSK (WSE: ING) CYFROWY POLSAT (WSE: CPS) and EUROCASH (WSE: EUR), gaining 1.63%, 1.29%, 0.69% and 0.68% respectively. On the contrary, JSW (WSE: JSW), PGNIG (WSE: PGN), KGHM (WSE: KGH), LOTOS (WSE: LTS) and GTC (WSE: GTC) lagged following their gains in the previous session, posting losses in the range 1.98%-6.04%.

Only 3 out of 11 WIG sub-sector indices closed higher: the food companies benchmark - the WIG-SPOZYW index added 2.61%, the IT-companies' measure - the WIG-INFO index gained 0.99% and the madia names indicator - the WIG-MEDIA index inched up 0.29%. At the same time, the basic material producers - the WIG-SUROWC index (-2.99%) produced the biggest losses, followed by benchmarks tracking the performance of the oil&gas industry and the chemicals sector - the WIG-PALIWA index (-1.54%) and the WIG-CHEMIA (-1.05%).

Major U.S. stocks fell on Thursday amid concerns about a Greek default, a tumble in Chinese shares and an unexpected rise in weekly jobless claims. European officials downplayed talk that Greece and its lenders were drafting an agreement that would provide Athens much-needed debt relief. World markets were also under pressure after investors in China said several major brokerages had tightened requirements on margin financing, triggering fears of further steps to reduce leverage in the red-hot market.

Initial claims for state unemployment benefits rose to a seasonally adjusted 282,000 for the week ended May 23, the Labor Department said on Thursday. Economists on average had expected claims falling to 270,000.

Almost all of Dow stocks in negative area (22 of 30). Top looser - Caterpillar Inc. (CAT, -2.21%). Top gainer - Intel Corporation (INTC, +0.90%).

All of S&P index sectors also in negative area. Top looser - Basic Materials (-1.2%).

At the moment:

Dow 18076.00 -65.00 -0.36%

S&P 500 2113.50 -7.50 -0.35%

Nasdaq 100 4530.25 -12.00 -0.26%

10-year yield 2.14% +0.00

Oil 57.05 -0.46 -0.80%

Gold 1187.80 +1.30 +0.11%

Most stock indices closed lower on concerns over the Greek debt problem. Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said on Wednesday that Athens was "close" to a deal with its creditors. But some top European officials and International Monetary Fund Managing Director Christine Lagarde denied that there is a progress in debt talks between Greece and its creditors.

"I would not say that we already have reached substantial results," Lagarde said in an interview.

The European Central Bank (ECB) released its Financial Stability Review on Thursday. The central bank said that if debt talks between Greece and its creditors last for a long time, it could raise the yields on debt of other countries from the Eurozone.

European Central Bank (ECB) Vice President Vitor Constancio pointed out on Thursday that a default of the Greek government and the solvency of Greek banks are not connected automatically. He noted that Greece will not leave the Eurozone if it does not repay its loans.

The European Commission released its economic sentiment index for the Eurozone on Thursday. The index remained unchanged at 103.8 in May, beating expectations for a decline to 103.5.

April's figure was revised up from 103.7.

The consumer confidence index dropped to -5.5 in May from -4.6 in April due to faltering optimism about the level of future unemployment, the future general economic situation and the future savings.

The industrial confidence index increased to -3.0 in May from -3.2 the previous month, in line with expectations, due to optimistic production expectations.

The services sentiment index climbed to 7.8 in May from 7.0 in April due to optimistic demand expectations and the better assessment of the past business situation.

The construction confidence index rose to -25.0 in May from -25.5 in April due to the better assessment of the level of order books.

The business climate index was down to 0.28 in May, missing forecasts of a rise to 0.35.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) released its revised gross domestic product (GDP) data on Thursday. The revised U.K. GDP expanded at 0.3% in the first quarter, missing expectations for a 0.4 gain, after a 0.5% rise in the fourth quarter. It was the slowest pace since the fourth quarter of 2012.

On a yearly basis, the revised U.K. GDP rose 2.4% in the first quarter, missing forecasts of a 2.5% increase, after a 3.0% gain in the fourth quarter.

The service sector climbed 0.5% in the first quarter, the construction sector dropped 1.6%, and the production sector was down 0.1%, while agriculture sector decreased 0.2%.

Indexes on the close:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 100 7,040.92 +7.59 +0.11 %

DAX 11,677.57 -93.56 -0.79 %

CAC 40 5,137.83 -44.70 -0.86 %

Oil prices traded lower, but recovered a part of losses after the release of U.S. crude oil inventories data. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) released its crude oil inventories data on Thursday. U.S. crude inventories declined by 2.8 million barrels to 479.4 million in the week to May 22. It was the fourth consecutive weekly decline.

Analysts had expected a decline of 2 million barrels.

Gasoline inventories were down by 3.3 million barrels last week, according to the EIA.

U.S. oil production climbed by 304,000 barrels a day to 9.57 million barrels a day.

Crude stocks at the Cushing, Oklahoma, decreased by 433,000 barrels to 60 million barrels.

U.S. crude oil imports decreased by 503,000 barrels per day to 6.7 million barrels per day.

Refineries in the U.S. were running at 93.6% of capacity.

WTI crude oil for July delivery decreased to $56.51 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

Brent crude oil for July fell to $61.73 a barrel on ICE Futures Europe.

Gold price traded higher on the weaker-than-expected initial jobless claims from the U.S. The number of initial jobless claims in the week ending May 23 in the U.S. climbed by 7,000 to 282,000 from 275,000 in the previous week, missing expectations for a decline by 5,000. The previous week's reading was revised down from 274,000.

Jobless claims remained below 300,000. This threshold is associated with the strengthening of the labour market.

Continuing jobless claims climbed by 10,000 to 2,222,000 in the week ended May 16.

Gold price declined yesterday on the stronger U.S. dollar as the greenback was supported by speculation that Fed will start to hike its interest rate this year.

June futures for gold on the COMEX today rose to 1192.00 dollars per ounce.

European Central Bank (ECB) Vice President Vitor Constancio pointed out on Thursday that a default of the Greek government and the solvency of Greek banks are not connected automatically. He noted that Greece will not leave the Eurozone if it does not repay its loans.

Constancio noted that there improvements in financial stability in the Eurozone.

"The financial stability situation in Europe has improved. One can say that our policies are working," the ECB vice president said.

The European Central Bank (ECB) released its Financial Stability Review on Thursday. The central bank said that if debt talks between Greece and its creditors last for a long time, it could raise the yields on debt of other countries from the Eurozone.

"Financial market reactions to the developments in Greece have been muted to date, but in the absence of a quick agreement on structural implementation needs, the risk of an upward adjustment of the risk premia demanded on vulnerable euro area sovereigns could materialize," the ECB said.

European Central Bank (ECB) Governing Council Member Ewald Nowotny said in an interview to CNBC on Thursday that the central bank will not provide any short-term financing for Greece.

"We do not have flexibility to do, let's say, some financing outside our rules," he noted.

The ECB denied on Wednesday that it has increased the ceiling for Emergency Liquidity Assistance (ELA) to Greek banks.

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) released its pending home sales figures for the U.S. on Thursday. Pending home sales in the U.S. rose 3.4% in April, exceeding expectations for a 0.9% increase, after a 1.2% gain in March. March's figure was revised up from a 1.1% rise.

Pending home sales increased in all four regions of the country.

"Realtors are saying foot traffic remains elevated this spring despite limited-and in some cases severe-inventory shortages in many metro areas," the NAR's chief economist Lawrence Yun said.

He added that home prices accelerated in many markets.

"The housing market can handle interest rates well above 4 percent as long as inventory improves to slow price growth and underwriting standards ease to normal levels so that qualified buyers - especially first-time buyers - are able to obtain a mortgage," Yun pointed out.

The Swiss Federal Customs Administration released its trade data on Thursday. The Swiss trade surplus climbed to CHF2.85 billion in April from CHF2.49 billion in the previous month. March's figure was revised down from a surplus of CHF2.52 billion.

Analysts had expected the surplus to increase to CHF2.77 billion.

Exports decreased seasonally adjusted 1.1% in April, while imports were down 3.5%.

On a yearly basis, exports fell 5.1% in April, while imports dropped 8.1%.

EUR/USD: $1.0800(E538mn), $1.0940(E446mn), $1.1000(E998mn), $1.1150(E1.8bn)

USD/JPY: Y123.00($859mn), Y124.20($300mn), Y124.50($725mn), Y124.80($400mn)

GBP/USD: $1.5100(Gbp1.1bn)

NZD/USD: $0.7200(NZ$234mn)

U.S. stock-index futures fell as concerns reignited about a Greek debt deal while data showed signs that the labor market remains firm.

Global markets:

Nikkei 20,551.46 +78.88 +0.39%

Hang Seng 27,454.31 -626.90 -2.23%

Shanghai Composite 4,620.27 -321.45 -6.50%

FTSE 7,030.2 -3.13 -0.04%

CAC 5,148.24 -34.29 -0.66%

DAX 11,719.86 -51.27 -0.44%

Crude oil $57.35 (-0.25%)

Gold $1186.40 (+0.07%)

Statistics Canada released current account data on Thursday. Canadian current account deficit widened to C$17.5 billion in the first quarter from a deficit of C$13.1 billion in the fourth quarter. The fourth quarter figure was revised up from a deficit of C$13.9 billion.

Analysts had expected a deficit of C$18.5 billion.

The decline was driven by wider gap in the trade in goods. The trade in goods deficit rose to a record C$7.25 billion in the first quarter.

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

The U.S. Labor Department released its jobless claims figures on Thursday. The number of initial jobless claims in the week ending May 23 in the U.S. climbed by 7,000 to 282,000 from 275,000 in the previous week, missing expectations for a decline by 5,000.

The previous week's reading was revised down from 274,000.

Jobless claims remained below 300,000. This threshold is associated with the strengthening of the labour market.

Continuing jobless claims climbed by 10,000 to 2,222,000 in the week ended May 16.

Upgrades:

General Motors (GM) upgraded from Underweight to Equal-Weight at Morgan Stanley

Downgrades:

Other:

Statistics Canada released its industrial product and raw materials price indexes on Thursday. The Industrial Product Price Index (IPPI) fell 0.9% in April, missing expectations for a 0.1% decline, after a 0.2% increase in March. March's figure was revised up from a 0.3% gain.

The decrease was driven by lower prices for energy and petroleum products. Energy and petroleum products were down 3.2% in April.

17 of the 21 commodity groups declined, 2 increased and 2 were unchanged.

The Raw Materials Price Index (RMPI) climbed 3.8% in April, after a 1.5% drop in March. March's figure was revised down from a 0.9% decrease.

The increase was driven by higher prices for crude energy products. Crude energy products soared 9.9% in April.

2 of the 6 commodity groups rose, 3 decreased and 1 were unchanged.

Economic calendar (GMT0):

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

01:30 Australia Private Capital Expenditure Quarter I -1.7% Revised From -2.2% -2.4% -4.4%

06:00 United Kingdom Nationwide house price index, y/y May 5.2% 4.7%

06:00 United Kingdom Nationwide house price index May 1.0% 0.3%

06:00 Switzerland Trade Balance April 2.49 Revised From 2.52 2.77 2.85

06:20 U.S. FOMC Member Williams Speaks

08:30 United Kingdom BBA Mortgage Approvals April 39.2 Revised From 38.8 39.2 42.11

08:30 United Kingdom GDP, q/q (Revised) Quarter I 0.6% 0.4% 0.3%

08:30 United Kingdom GDP, y/y (Revised) Quarter I 3.0% 2.5% 2.4%

09:00 G7 G7 Meetings

09:00 Eurozone Consumer Confidence (Finally) May -4.6 -5.5 -5.5

09:00 Eurozone Economic sentiment index May 103.8 Revised From 103.7 103.5 103.8

09:00 Eurozone Business climate indicator May 0.32 0.35 0.28

09:00 Eurozone Industrial confidence May -3.2 -3.0 -3.0

The U.S. dollar higher against the most major currencies ahead of U.S. economic data. The number of initial jobless claims in the U.S. is expected to decline by 4,000 to 270,000.

Pending home sales in the U.S. are expected to climb 0.9% in April, after a 1.1% increase in March.

The euro declined against the U.S. dollar as concerns over the Greek debt continued to weigh on the euro. Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said on Wednesday that Athens was "close" to a deal with its creditors. But some top European officials and International Monetary Fund Managing Director Christine Lagarde denied that there is a progress in debt talks between Greece and its creditors.

"I would not say that we already have reached substantial results," Lagarde said in an interview.

The European Commission released its economic sentiment index for the Eurozone on Thursday. The index remained unchanged at 103.8 in May, beating expectations for a decline to 103.5.

April's figure was revised up from 103.7.

The consumer confidence index dropped to -5.5 in May from -4.6 in April due to faltering optimism about the level of future unemployment, the future general economic situation and the future savings.

The industrial confidence index increased to -3.0 in May from -3.2 the previous month, in line with expectations, due to optimistic production expectations.

The services sentiment index climbed to 7.8 in May from 7.0 in April due to optimistic demand expectations and the better assessment of the past business situation.

The construction confidence index rose to -25.0 in May from -25.5 in April due to the better assessment of the level of order books.

The business climate index was down to 0.28 in May, missing forecasts of a rise to 0.35.

The British pound traded lower against the U.S. dollar after the weaker-than-expected GDP data from the U.K. The revised U.K. GDP expanded at 0.3% in the first quarter, missing expectations for a 0.4 gain, after a 0.5% rise in the fourth quarter. It was the slowest pace since the fourth quarter of 2012.

On a yearly basis, the revised U.K. GDP rose 2.4% in the first quarter, missing forecasts of a 2.5% increase, after a 3.0% gain in the fourth quarter.

The service sector climbed 0.5% in the first quarter, the construction sector dropped 1.6%, and the production sector was down 0.1%, while agriculture sector decreased 0.2%.

The Canadian dollar traded lower against the U.S. dollar ahead of Canadian economic data. Canadian current account deficit is expected to widen to C$18.5 billion in the first quarter from a deficit of C$13.92 billion in the fourth quarter.

The Swiss franc traded lower against the U.S. dollar despite the better-than-expected Swiss trade data. The Swiss trade surplus climbed to CHF2.85 billion in April from CHF2.49 billion in the previous month. March's figure was revised down from a surplus of CHF2.52 billion. Analysts had expected the surplus to increase to CHF2.77 billion.

Exports decreased 1.1% in April, while imports were down 3.5%.

EUR/USD: the currency pair declined to $1.0880

GBP/USD: the currency pair fell to $1.5264

USD/JPY: the currency pair rose to Y124.39

The most important news that are expected (GMT0):

12:30 Canada Raw Material Price Index April -0.9%

12:30 U.S. Initial Jobless Claims May 274 270

14:00 U.S. Pending Home Sales (MoM) April 1.1% 0.9%

23:30 Japan Household spending Y/Y April -10.6% 3.1%

23:30 Japan Tokyo Consumer Price Index, y/y May 0.7%

23:30 Japan Tokyo CPI ex Fresh Food, y/y May 0.4% 0.1%

23:30 Japan Unemployment Rate April 3.4% 3.4%

23:30 Japan National Consumer Price Index, y/y April 2.3%

23:30 Japan National CPI Ex-Fresh Food, y/y April 2.2% 0.2%

23:50 Japan Industrial Production (MoM) (Preliminary) April -0.8% 0.8%

23:50 Japan Industrial Production (YoY) (Preliminary) April -1.7%

Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry released its retail sales figures for Japan on late Wednesday. Retail sales in Japan rose 5.0% in April, missing expectations for a 5.4% gain, after a 9.7% drop in March.

The increase was driven by higher cars and electronics sales.

Commercial sales climbed at an annual pace of 2.7% in April, while wholesale sales increased 1.8%.

Sales from large retailers rose at an annual pace of 8.6% in April.

EUR/USD

Offers 1.0950-60 1.0980 1.1000 1.1020 1.1050 1.1080 1.1100

Bids 1.0900 1.0880-85 1.0865 1.0850 1.0825-30 1.0800 1.0785 1.0750

GBP/USD

Offers 1.5385 1.5400 1.5420 1.5435 1.5450 1.5470 1.5485 1.5500 1.5525

Bids 1.5340 1.5320 1.5300 1.5285 1.5265 1.5250 1.5230 1.5200

EUR/GBP

Offers 0.7125-30 0.7165 0.7185 0.7200

Bids 0.7090-95 0.7080 0.7065 0.7050 0.7030 0.7015 0.7000

EUR/JPY

Offers 135.50 135.75 136.00 136.30 136.50

Bids 135.00 134.80 134.40 134.00 133.80 133.40 133.25 133.00

USD/JPY

Offers 124.00 124.25 124.50 124.80 125.00

Bids 123.50 123.30 123.00 122.75-80 122.50 122.35 122.20 122.00

AUD/USD

Offers 0.7720 0.7760 0.7780 0.7800 0.7820 0.7835

Bids 0.7670 0.7650 0.7625-30 0.7600 0.7585 0.7565 0.7550

Most stock indices traded lower as concerns over the Greek debt continued to weigh on markets. Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said on Wednesday that Athens was "close" to a deal with its creditors. But some top European officials and International Monetary Fund Managing Director Christine Lagarde denied that there is a progress in debt talks between Greece and its creditors.

"I would not say that we already have reached substantial results," Lagarde said in an interview.

The European Commission released its economic sentiment index for the Eurozone on Thursday. The index remained unchanged at 103.8 in May, beating expectations for a decline to 103.5.

April's figure was revised up from 103.7.

The consumer confidence index dropped to -5.5 in May from -4.6 in April due to faltering optimism about the level of future unemployment, the future general economic situation and the future savings.

The industrial confidence index increased to -3.0 in May from -3.2 the previous month, in line with expectations, due to optimistic production expectations.

The services sentiment index climbed to 7.8 in May from 7.0 in April due to optimistic demand expectations and the better assessment of the past business situation.

The construction confidence index rose to -25.0 in May from -25.5 in April due to the better assessment of the level of order books.

The business climate index was down to 0.28 in May, missing forecasts of a rise to 0.35.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) released its revised gross domestic product (GDP) data on Thursday. The revised U.K. GDP expanded at 0.3% in the first quarter, missing expectations for a 0.4 gain, after a 0.5% rise in the fourth quarter. It was the slowest pace since the fourth quarter of 2012.

On a yearly basis, the revised U.K. GDP rose 2.4% in the first quarter, missing forecasts of a 2.5% increase, after a 3.0% gain in the fourth quarter.

The service sector climbed 0.5% in the first quarter, the construction sector dropped 1.6%, and the production sector was down 0.1%, while agriculture sector decreased 0.2%.

Current figures:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 100 7,047.08 +13.75 +0.20 %

DAX 11,734.21 -36.92 -0.31 %

CAC 40 5,153.66 -28.87 -0.56 %

The European Commission released its economic sentiment index for the Eurozone on Thursday. The index remained unchanged at 103.8 in May, beating expectations for a decline to 103.5.

April's figure was revised up from 103.7.

The consumer confidence index dropped to -5.5 in May from -4.6 in April due to faltering optimism about the level of future unemployment, the future general economic situation and the future savings.

The industrial confidence index increased to -3.0 in May from -3.2 the previous month, in line with expectations, due to optimistic production expectations.

The services sentiment index climbed to 7.8 in May from 7.0 in April due to optimistic demand expectations and the better assessment of the past business situation.

The construction confidence index rose to -25.0 in May from -25.5 in April due to the better assessment of the level of order books.

The business climate index was down to 0.28 in May, missing forecasts of a rise to 0.35.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) released its revised gross domestic product (GDP) data on Thursday. The revised U.K. GDP expanded at 0.3% in the first quarter, missing expectations for a 0.4 gain, after a 0.5% rise in the fourth quarter. It was the slowest pace since the fourth quarter of 2012.

On a yearly basis, the revised U.K. GDP rose 2.4% in the first quarter, missing forecasts of a 2.5% increase, after a 3.0% gain in the fourth quarter.

The service sector climbed 0.5% in the first quarter, the construction sector dropped 1.6%, and the production sector was down 0.1%, while agriculture sector decreased 0.2%.

EUR/USD: $1.0800(E538mn), $1.0940(E446mn), $1.1000(E998mn), $1.1150(E1.8bn)

USD/JPY: Y123.00($859mn), Y124.20($300mn), Y124.50($725mn), Y124.80($400mn)

GBP/USD: $1.5100(Gbp1.1bn)

NZD/USD: $0.7200(NZ$234mn)

The Australian Bureau of Statistics released its private capital expenditure data on Thursday. Private capital expenditure in Australia dropped 4.4% in the first quarter, missing expectations for a 2.4% decline, after a 1.7% fall in the fourth quarter.

The fourth quarter's figure was revised up from a 2.2% decrease.

Capex for buildings and structures plunged 6.5% in the first quarter, while capital spending for equipment, plants and machinery fell 0.5%.

On a yearly basis, private capital expenditure in Australia declined 5.3%.

The Bank of England (BoE) announced last year that it will change the way it carries out and announces interest rate decisions. The central bank plans to announce its interest rate decision and to release its meeting minutes at the same day.

The first meeting held under the new rules should be held in August.

The BoE will test the new system over the next two months, starting today.

The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) may move to meeting eight times a year rather than 12.

The Spanish daily newspaper El Pais wrote on Wednesday that Spanish Prime Minister's office has written a letter to European institutions. Spanish Prime Minister's office has asked for greater mobility of labour between EU member countries, increased fiscal union with a common budget and the issuance of common debt in the form of Eurobonds.

Madrid also asked the European Central Bank (ECB) to adopt a U.S. Federal Reserve-style mix of policy.

The Prime Minister's office and the ECB declined to comment.

Queen Elizabeth II announced on Wednesday that Britain's government will hold a referendum on whether the U.K. should leave the EU.

"My government will renegotiate the United Kingdom's relationship with the European Union and pursue reform of the European Union for the benefit of all member states," she said.

The referendum should be held before the end of 2017, Queen Elizabeth II noted.

EUR / USD

Resistance levels (open interest**, contracts)

$1.1128 (4454)

$1.1054 (4964)

$1.0995 (3186)

Price at time of writing this review: $1.0912

Support levels (open interest**, contracts):

$1.0864 (6946)

$1.0838 (7378)

$1.0797 (3290)

Comments:

- Overall open interest on the CALL options with the expiration date June, 5 is 109295 contracts, with the maximum number of contracts with strike price $1,1100 (4964);

- Overall open interest on the PUT options with the expiration date June, 5 is 129123 contracts, with the maximum number of contracts with strike price $1,0800 (9212);

- The ratio of PUT/CALL was 1.18 versus 1.21 from the previous trading day according to data from May, 27

GBP/USD

Resistance levels (open interest**, contracts)

$1.5601 (2410)

$1.5503 (1359)

$1.5406 (1602)

Price at time of writing this review: $1.5356

Support levels (open interest**, contracts):

$1.5293 (2281)

$1.5196 (2096)

$1.5098 (1277)

Comments:

- Overall open interest on the CALL options with the expiration date June, 5 is 34992 contracts, with the maximum number of contracts with strike price $1,5700 (2604);

- Overall open interest on the PUT options with the expiration date June, 5 is 52514 contracts, with the maximum number of contracts with strike price $1,5000 (3221);

- The ratio of PUT/CALL was 1.50 versus 1.52 from the previous trading day according to data from May, 27

* - 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)

Oil 59.00 -1.21%

Gold 1,187.50 -1.37%

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

Nikkei 225 20,472.58 +35.10 +0.17 %

Hang Seng 28,081.21 -168.65 -0.60 %

S&P/ASX 200 5,725.3 -48.13 -0.83 %

Shanghai Composite 4,941.71 +30.82 +0.63 %

FTSE 100 7,033.33 +84.34 +1.21 %

CAC 40 5,182.53 +98.99 +1.95 %

Xetra DAX 11,771.1 +146.00 +1.26 %

S&P 500 2,123.48 +19.28 +0.92 %

NASDAQ Composite 5,106.59 +73.84 +1.47 %

Dow Jones 18,162.99 +121.45 +0.67 %

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

EUR/USD $1,0899 +0,25%

GBP/USD $1,5351 -0,19%

USD/CHF Chf0,95 -0,34%

USD/JPY Y123,70 +0,53%

EUR/JPY Y134,83 +0,77%

GBP/JPY Y189,89 +0,34%

AUD/USD $0,7731 -0,04%

NZD/USD $0,7265 +0,48%

USD/CAD C$1,2453 +0,18%

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

01:30 Australia Private Capital Expenditure Quarter I -2.2% -2.4%

06:00 United Kingdom Nationwide house price index, y/y May 5.2% 4.7%

06:00 United Kingdom Nationwide house price index May 1.0% 0.3%

06:00 Switzerland Trade Balance April 2.52 2.77

06:20 U.S. FOMC Member Williams Speaks

08:30 United Kingdom BBA Mortgage Approvals April 38.8 39.2

08:30 United Kingdom GDP, q/q (Revised) Quarter I 0.6% 0.3%

08:30 United Kingdom GDP, y/y (Revised) Quarter I 3.0% 2.4%

09:00 G7 G7 Meetings

09:00 Eurozone Consumer Confidence (Finally) May -4.6 -5.5

09:00 Eurozone Economic sentiment index May 103.7 103.5

09:00 Eurozone Business climate indicator May 0.32 0.35

09:00 Eurozone Industrial confidence May -3.2 -3.0

12:30 Canada Current Account, bln Quarter I -13.92 -18.5

12:30 Canada Industrial Product Price Index, m/m April 0.3% -0.1%

12:30 Canada Industrial Product Price Index, y/y April -1.8%

12:30 Canada Raw Material Price Index April -0.9%

12:30 U.S. Initial Jobless Claims May 274 270

12:30 U.S. Continuing Jobless Claims 2211 2208

14:00 U.S. Pending Home Sales (MoM) April 1.1% 0.9%

14:30 U.S. Crude Oil Inventories May -2.674

22:45 New Zealand Building Permits, m/m April 11%

23:05 United Kingdom Gfk Consumer Confidence May 4 4

23:30 Japan Household spending Y/Y April -10.6% 3.1%

23:30 Japan Tokyo Consumer Price Index, y/y May 0.7%

23:30 Japan Tokyo CPI ex Fresh Food, y/y May 0.4% 0.1%

23:30 Japan Unemployment Rate April 3.4% 3.4%

23:30 Japan National Consumer Price Index, y/y April 2.3%

23:30 Japan National CPI Ex-Fresh Food, y/y April 2.2% 0.2%

23:50 Japan Industrial Production (MoM) (Preliminary) April -0.8% 0.8%

23:50 Japan Industrial Production (YoY) (Preliminary) April -1.7%