Major U.S. stock-indexes higher on Thursday as Apple shares and health stocks lifted the market ahead of the crucial Federal Reserve meeting next week. Global markets were under pressure earlier in the day after data showed a drop in producer prices and car sales in China and slowing capital spending in Japan.

Most of Dow stocks in positive area (24 of 30). Top looser - Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (WMT, -0.88%). Top gainer - Apple Inc. (AAPL, +2.35).

All S&P index sectors in positive area. Top gainer - Healthcare (+1,4%).

At the moment:

Dow 16249.00 +70.00 +0.43%

S&P 500 1944.00 +10.50 +0.54%

Nasdaq 100 4290.00 +43.50 +1.02%

10 Year yield 2,23% +0,05

Oil 45.67 +1.52 +3.44%

Gold 1111.20 +9.20 +0.83%

Polish equity market closed higher on Thursday. The broad market measure, the WIG index, advanced 1.42%. Sector performance in the WIG Index was mixed. Banking stocks (+3.16%) recorded the biggest gain, supported by the Polish parliament speaker's statement that it was unlikely that the FX loan conversion bill would be passed before the October election. At the same time, food sector (-0.78%) fared the worst.

The large-cap stocks' measure, the WIG30 Index, surged by 1.84%. In the index basket, banking names BZ WBK (WSE: BZW), PEKAO (WSE: PEO), HANDLOWY (WSE: BHW), PKO BP (WSE: PKO) and MBANK (WSE: MBK) generated the biggest gains, soaring by 2.96-4.36%. ENEA (WSE: ENA) also was among top performers, adding 3.8%. On the other side of the ledger, ENERGA (WSE: ENG) led the decliners with a 1.97% drop, followed by KERNEL (WSE: KER) and BOGDANKA (WSE: LWB), sliding a respective 1.85% and 1.37%.

Stock indices closed lower on the weak economic data from Asia. The Chinese producer price index (PPI) dropped 5.9% in August, missing forecasts of a 5.5% fall, after a 5.4% decline in July. It was the biggest decline since 2009.

Core machine orders in Japan dropped 3.6% in August, missing expectations for a 3.7% rise, after a 7.9% decline in July.

On a yearly basis, core machine orders in Japan rose 2.8% in August, missing forecasts of a 10.5% gain, after a 16.6% rise in July.

Meanwhile, the economic data from the Eurozone was mixed. The French statistical office Insee its industrial production figures on Thursday. Industrial production in France fell 0.8% in July, missing expectations for a 0.2% rise, after a flat reading in June. June's figure was revised up from a 0.1% decline.

The decline was driven by a drop in electrical and electronic equipment output, which fell 2.0%.

On a yearly basis, the French industrial production rose 0.7% in July, after a 1.0% gain in June. June's figure was revised up from a 0.7% increase.

Spanish statistical office INE released its industrial production figures for Spain on Thursday. Industrial production in Spain was up 0.6% in July, after a 0.4% gain in June.

On a yearly basis, industrial production in Spain climbed at adjusted 5.2% in July, after a 4.5% increase in June.

Halifax released its house prices data for the U.K. on Thursday. House prices in the U.K. increased 2.7% in August, after a 0.4% fall in July. July's figure was revised up from a 0.6% decline.

On a yearly basis, house prices climbed 9.0% in the three months to August, after a 7.8% increase in the three months to July. July's figure was revised down from a 7.8% gain.

"The shortage of second-hand properties for sale on the market is resulting in upward pressure on house prices. At the same time, economic recovery, real earnings growth and very low mortgage rates are supporting housing demand. Strengthening demand and highly constrained supply are likely to mean that house price growth continues to be robust in the short-term," Halifax's housing economist Martin Ellis said.

Indexes on the close:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 100 6,155.81 -73.20 -1.18 %

DAX 10,210.44 -92.68 -0.90 %

CAC 40 4,596.53 -68.06 -1.46 %

The Bank of Japan (BoJ) Governor Haruhiko Kuroda said on Thursday that Japan's economy will likely avoid a recession.

He also said that it is possible that the central bank's 2% inflation will not be achieved next year if oil prices decline further.

Kuroda pointed out that the BoJ would not lower a 0.1% interest rate floor.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said at the World Economic Forum in Dalian that there will be no hard landing in China as the government is capable to support the economy.

"If there are signs that our economy is sliding, we have the adequate resources to deal with it," he said.

Li pointed out that China meet all its economic targets for this year.

Japan's Cabinet Office released its core machine orders data on Thursday. Core machine orders in Japan dropped 3.6% in August, missing expectations for a 3.7% rise, after a 7.9% decline in July.

On a yearly basis, core machine orders in Japan rose 2.8% in August, missing forecasts of a 10.5% gain, after a 16.6% rise in July.

The total number of machinery orders gained 2.2% in August.

Manufacturing orders slid 5.3% in August, while non-manufacturing orders fell 6.0%.

The U.S. Commerce Department released wholesale inventories on Thursday. Wholesale inventories in the U.S. fell 0.1% in July, beating expectations for a 0.3% gain, after a 0.9% increase in June. It was the first decline since May 2013.

June's figure was revised down from a 0.9% rise.

The decrease was partly driven by a drop in inventories of non-durable goods. Inventories of non-durable goods declined 0.5% in July, while inventories of durable goods gained 0.1%.

Wholesale sales fell by 0.3% in July, after a 0.4% rise in June.

Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party member Kozo Yamamoto said in an interview on Thursday that the Bank of Japan's monetary policy meeting on October 30 would be a "good opportunity" to ease monetary policy further. He pointed out that the central bank should raise the annual pace of asset purchases by at least 10 trillion yen.

The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) released its September meeting minutes on Thursday. 8 members voted to keep the central bank's monetary policy unchanged. Ian McCafferty voted to hike interest rate by 0.25%.

MPC members noted that the risks from the slowdown in the Chinese economy rose since August.

"Global developments do not as yet appear sufficient to alter materially the central outlook described in the August Report, but the greater downside risks to the global environment merit close monitoring for any impact on domestic economic activity," the statement said.

MPC members said that the healthy domestic expansion continued.

"Domestic momentum is being underpinned by robust real income growth, supportive credit condition, and elevated business and consumer confidence," the minutes said.

MPC members pointed that the interest rate hike will be gradual when the Bank of England starts to raise its interest rate.

U.S. stock-index futures declined as market volatility continues to prevail before the Federal Reserve's policy meeting next week.

Global Stocks:

Nikkei 18,299.62 -470.89 -2.51%

Hang Seng 21,562.5 -568.81 -2.57%

Shanghai Composite 3,196.22 -46.87 -1.45%

FTSE 6,141.18 -87.83 -1.41%

CAC 4,593.26 -71.33 -1.53%

DAX 10,177.06 -126.06 -1.22%

Crude oil $44.14 (-0.02%)

Gold $1108.00 (+0.54%)

The U.S. Labor Department released its import and export prices data on Thursday. The U.S. import price index plunged by 1.8% in August, missing expectations for a 1.6% decrease, after a 0.9% decline in July. It was the largest fall since January.

The decline was mainly driven by lower fuel import prices, which dropped 14.2% in August.

Imported food prices were up 0.3% in August, while prices for imported capital goods decreased 0.2%.

A stronger U.S. currency lowers the price of imported goods.

U.S. export prices declined by 1.4% in August, after a revised 0.4% fall in July. July's figure was revised down from a 0.2% decline.

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

Statistics Canada released its capacity utilisation rate on Thursday. Canadian capacity utilisation rate declined to 81.3% in the second quarter from 82.6% in the first quarter. The first quarter's figure was revised down from 82.7%.

The decline was driven by a fall in the mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction and manufacturing industries. The capacity utilisation rate in the mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction industry dropped to 75.9% in the second quarter decreased from 78.9% in the first quarter.

The capacity utilization rate fell in 13 of the 21 major categories in the manufacturing sector in the second quarter.

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Bank of America (BAC) upgraded to Outperform from Market Perform at Wells Fargo

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The U.S. Labor Department released its jobless claims figures on Thursday. The number of initial jobless claims in the week ending September 05 in the U.S. declined by 6,000 to 275,000 from 281,000 in the previous week, in line with expectations. The previous week's figure was revised down from 282,000.

Jobless claims remained below 300,000 the 19th straight week. This threshold is associated with the strengthening of the labour market.

Continuing jobless claims increased by 1,000 to 2,260,000 in the week ended August 29.

Statistics Canada released its new housing price index on Thursday. New housing price index in Canada rose 0.1% in July, missing expectations of a 0.2% gain, after a 0.3% rise in June.

The increase was driven by gains in Toronto and Oshawa region.

On a yearly basis, new housing price index in Canada climbed 1.3% in July, after a 1.3% gain in June.

The Bank of England (BoE) released its interest rate decision on Thursday. The BoE kept its interest rates unchanged at 0.5% and its asset purchase program unchanged at £375 billion. This decision was widely expected.

Analysts expect that the BoE will start to raise its interest rate in early 2016.

The central bank cut its GDP forecast for the third quarter to 0.6% from 0.7% due to the recent weak manufacturing and industrial production data

The Hellenic Statistical Authority released its unemployment data on Thursday. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Greece rose to 25.2% in June from 25.0% in May.

The number of unemployed fell by 2,609 persons compared with May 2015.

The youth unemployment rate declined to 48.3% in June.

Stock indices traded lower as Asian stock markets closed lower on the Chinese economic data. The Chinese producer price index (PPI) dropped 5.9% in August, missing forecasts of a 5.5% fall, after a 5.4% decline in July. It was the biggest decline since 2009.

Meanwhile, the economic data from the Eurozone was mixed. The French statistical office Insee its industrial production figures on Thursday. Industrial production in France fell 0.8% in July, missing expectations for a 0.2% rise, after a flat reading in June. June's figure was revised up from a 0.1% decline.

The decline was driven by a drop in electrical and electronic equipment output, which fell 2.0%.

On a yearly basis, the French industrial production rose 0.7% in July, after a 1.0% gain in June. June's figure was revised up from a 0.7% increase.

Spanish statistical office INE released its industrial production figures for Spain on Thursday. Industrial production in Spain was up 0.6% in July, after a 0.4% gain in June.

On a yearly basis, industrial production in Spain climbed at adjusted 5.2% in July, after a 4.5% increase in June.

Halifax released its house prices data for the U.K. on Thursday. House prices in the U.K. increased 2.7% in August, after a 0.4% fall in July. July's figure was revised up from a 0.6% decline.

On a yearly basis, house prices climbed 9.0% in the three months to August, after a 7.8% increase in the three months to July. July's figure was revised down from a 7.8% gain.

"The shortage of second-hand properties for sale on the market is resulting in upward pressure on house prices. At the same time, economic recovery, real earnings growth and very low mortgage rates are supporting housing demand. Strengthening demand and highly constrained supply are likely to mean that house price growth continues to be robust in the short-term," Halifax's housing economist Martin Ellis said.

Current figures:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 100 6,200.27 -28.74 -0.46 %

DAX 10,283.01 -20.11 -0.20 %

CAC 40 4,644.66 -19.93 -0.43 %

The Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) released its interest rate decision on Wednesday. The RBNZ lowered its interest rate to 2.75% from 3.00% on Wednesday as widely expected by analysts. The central bank noted that further monetary policy easing is possible.

"Some further easing in the Official Cash Rate (OCR) seems likely. This will depend on the emerging flow of economic data," the RBNZ Governor Graeme Wheeler said.

Market participants were surprised by the RBNZ governor's comments.

Wheeler noted the country's economy is adjusting to the drop in export prices, and is now growing at an annual rate of around 2%.

He pointed out that further depreciation of the New Zealand dollar is appropriate.

Halifax released its house prices data for the U.K. on Thursday. House prices in the U.K. increased 2.7% in August, after a 0.4% fall in July. July's figure was revised up from a 0.6% decline.

On a yearly basis, house prices climbed 9.0% in the three months to August, after a 7.8% increase in the three months to July. July's figure was revised down from a 7.8% gain.

"The shortage of second-hand properties for sale on the market is resulting in upward pressure on house prices. At the same time, economic recovery, real earnings growth and very low mortgage rates are supporting housing demand. Strengthening demand and highly constrained supply are likely to mean that house price growth continues to be robust in the short-term," Halifax's housing economist Martin Ellis said.

Spanish statistical office INE released its industrial production figures for Spain on Thursday. Industrial production in Spain was up 0.6% in July, after a 0.4% gain in June.

On a yearly basis, industrial production in Spain climbed at adjusted 5.2% in July, after a 4.5% increase in June.

Output of capital goods jumped 10.2% year-on-year in July, output of intermediate goods climbed 3.6%, energy production was up 9.4%, while consumer goods output rose 1.5%.

The French statistical office Insee its industrial production figures on Thursday. Industrial production in France fell 0.8% in July, missing expectations for a 0.2% rise, after a flat reading in June. June's figure was revised up from a 0.1% decline.

The decline was driven by a drop in electrical and electronic equipment output, which fell 2.0%.

Manufacturing output was down 1.0% in July, while construction output increased 1.0%.

Output in mining and quarrying, energy, water supply and waste management declined 0.4% in July.

On a yearly basis, the French industrial production rose 0.7% in July, after a 1.0% gain in June. June's figure was revised up from a 0.7% increase.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics released its labour market data on Thursday. Australia's unemployment rate fell to 6.2% in August from 6.3% in July, in line with expectations.

The number of employed people in Australia climbed by 17,400 in August, beating forecast of a rise by 5,000, after a gain by 39,200 in July. July's figure was revised up from a rise by 37,900.

Full-time employment rose by 11,500 in August, while part-time employment climbed by 5,900.

The participation rate declined to 65.0% in August from 65.1% in July.

The Chinese National Bureau of Statistics released its consumer and producer price inflation data for China on Thursday. The Chinese consumer price index (CPI) rose at annual rate of 2.0% in August, exceeding expectations for a 1.8% increase, after a 1.6% gain in July.

The increase was driven by rises in food prices. Food prices rose at an annual rate of 3.7% in August, while non-food prices increased 1.1%.

On a monthly basis, consumer price inflation increased 0.5% in August, after a 0.3% rise in July.

The Chinese producer price index (PPI) dropped 5.9% in August, missing forecasts of a 5.5% fall, after a 5.4% decline in July. It was the biggest decline since 2009.

U.S. stock markets fell on Wednesday in a volatile session. Early gains were driven by expectations that Chinese authorities will take additional steps to stimulate the country's slowing economy. Global stock markets have suffered from intense volatility for weeks. Investors are trying to assess influence of China's economic slowdown on the global economy.

Investors remained focused on prospects of U.S. interest rates. Before the recent turmoil in stocks analysts expected the Federal Reserve to raise rates in September. The Fed can still conduct a rate hike next week, but many experts have moved their expectations till December or the beginning of 2016.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 239.11 points, or 1.4%, to 16253.57. The S&P 500 declined 27.37 points, or 1.4%, to 1942.04. The Nasdaq Composite Index lost 55.40 points, or 1.2%, to 4756.53.

This morning in Asia Hong Kong Hang Seng lost 2.15%, or 476.46 points, to 21,654.85. China Shanghai Composite Index fell 0.96%, or 31.16 points, to 3,211.93. The Nikkei plunged 3.39%, or 637.14 points, to 18,133.37.

Asian stocks fell as weak data from the region added to concerns over the global economic growth.

Japanese stocks fell amid a weak core machinery orders report (-3.6% in August vs +3.7% expected) and profit taking after yesterday's gains. Declines in U.S. stocks have also made their negative contribution.

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

Nikkei 225 18,770.51 +1,343.43 +7.7 %

Hang Seng 22,131.31 +872.27 +4.1 %

S&P/ASX 200 5,221.13 +105.88 +2.1 %

Shanghai Composite 3,243.92 +73.47 +2.3 %

FTSE 100 6,229.01 +82.91 +1.3 %

CAC 40 4,664.59 +66.33 +1.4 %

Xetra DAX 10,303.12 +31.76 +0.3 %

S&P 500 1,942.04 -27.37 -1.4 %

NASDAQ Composite 4,756.53 -55.40 -1.2 %

Dow Jones 16,253.57 -239.11 -1.4 %