Polish equity market advanced on Thursday. The broad market measure, the WIG Index, added 0.84%. Sector-wise, banking names (+3.13%) fared the best on hopes the President will not sign into law the new version of a Sejm-approved bill on foreign currency mortgage conversion. On the contrary, chemicals (-2.32%) were the poorest performers.

The large-cap companies' measure, the WIG30 Index, grew by 0.81%. In the large-cap stock universe, the gainers were led by BZ WBK (WSE: BZW), BOGDANKA (WSE: LWB), GTC (WSE: GTC) and PEKAO (WSE: PEO), rising 4%-5.73%. At the same time, GRUPA AZOTY (WSE: ATT) topped the decliners' list, slumping 6.36%. It was followed by PKN ORLEN (WSE: PKN) and ORANGE POLSKA (WSE: OPL), which lost 2.50% and 2.23% respectively.

Mjor Wall Street indexes are little changed on Thursday as investors focus on the latest batch of strong U.S. economic data and digest China's reassurance that there was no basis for further depreciation of the yuan. U.S. retail sales rebounded in July, while the trend of weekly jobless pointed to a tightening job market, increasing the likelihood that the Federal Reserve would raise interest rates as early as September.

Most of Dow stocks in negative area (19 of 30). Top looser - Caterpillar Inc. (CAT, -1.34%). Top gainer - Cisco Systems, Inc. (CSCO, +3.33).

Most of all S&P index sectors also in negative area. Top looser - Services (-1.4%). Top gainer - Basic materials (+0,3%).

At the moment:

Dow 17366.00 -1.00 -0.01%

S&P 500 2083.00 -1.25 -0.06%

Nasdaq 100 4536.50 +3.00 +0.07%

10 Year yield 2,16% +0,03

Oil 42.25 -1.05 -2.42%

Gold 1115.30 -8.30 -0.74%

Stock indices closed mixed as concerns over the yuan devaluation eased. The People's Bank of China (PBoC) has devaluated the yuan for the third day. But the central bank tried to reassure market participants on Thursday, saying there was no basis for further yuan devaluation.

The yuan depreciated 1.9% on Tuesday, 1.6% on Wednesday and 1.1% today. China's central bank set Thursday's daily fixing at 6.4010 per U.S. dollar, down from 6.3306 on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the economic data from the Eurozone was weak. German final consumer price index rose 0.2% in July, in line with the preliminary estimate, after a 0.1% decline in June.

On a yearly basis, German final consumer price index decreased to 0.2% in July from 0.3% in June, in line with the preliminary estimate. It was the lowest level since February.

The decline was driven by falling energy prices, which dropped 6.2% year-on-year in July.

The French consumer price inflation dropped 0.4% in July, after a 0.1% decrease in June.

On a yearly basis, the consumer price index climbed 0.2% in July, after a 0.3% rise in June.

The European Central Bank's (ECB) its minutes of July meeting on Thursday. According to the minutes, financial developments in China could have a larger than expected adverse impact.

"In particular, financial developments in China could have a larger than expected adverse impact, given this country's prominent role in global trade. This risk could be compounded by negative knock-on effects from interest rate increases in the United States on growth in emerging market economies," the ECB said.

The central bank noted that the economic recovery in the Eurozone remained moderate and gradual.

Indexes on the close:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 100 6,568.33 -2.86 -0.04 %

DAX 11,014.63 +90.02 +0.82 %

CAC 40 4,986.85 +61.42 +1.25 %

Greece's Finance Ministry released its revenues data on Thursday. The Greek budget revenues dropped 40% below target in July.

Greece's primary budget surplus was €3.53 billion in the first seven months of 2015, higher than a primary budget surplus target of €2.98 billion.

Tax revenues totalled €26.7 billion, below a target of €30.8 billion. Public spending totalled €27.7 billion, below a target of €32.1 billion.

The European Central Bank's (ECB) its minutes of July meeting on Thursday. According to the minutes, financial developments in China could have a larger than expected adverse impact.

"In particular, financial developments in China could have a larger than expected adverse impact, given this country's prominent role in global trade. This risk could be compounded by negative knock-on effects from interest rate increases in the United States on growth in emerging market economies," the ECB said.

The central bank noted that the economic recovery in the Eurozone remained moderate and gradual.

The ECB pointed out that a deal on a Greek bailout programme will firm confidence in the Eurozone.

The U.S. Commerce Department released the business inventories data on Thursday. The U.S. business inventories rose 0.8% in June, exceeding expectations for a 0.3% increase, after a 0.3% gain in May.

The increase was driven by a rise in in all categories. Wholesale inventories climbed 0.9% in June, retail inventories were up 0.9%, while manufacturing inventories rose 0.6%.

Business sales climbed 0.2% in June, while retail sales declined 0.1%.

The business inventories/sales ratio increased to 1.37 in June from 1.36 months in May. The business inventories /sales ratio is a measure of how long it would take to clear shelves.

The Hellenic Statistical Authority released its gross domestic product (GDP) data for Greece on Thursday. The Greek final GDP rose 0.8% in the second quarter, after a revised flat reading in the first quarter.

On a yearly basis, Greek final GDP rose 1.5% in the second quarter, after a 0.2% increase in the first quarter.

U.S. stock-index futures were little changed as the Chinese central bank indicated it will support the yuan and sales at American retailers increased in July.

Global Stocks:

Nikkei 20,595.55 +202.78 +0.99%

Hang Seng 24,018.8 +102.78 +0.43%

Shanghai Composite 3,954.78 +68.46 +1.76%

FTSE 6,580.35 +9.16 +0.14%

CAC 4,995.58 +70.15 +1.42%

DAX 11,033.47 +108.86 +1.00%

Crude oil $42.89 (-0.97%)

Gold $1114.30 (-0.86%)

The U.S. Commerce Department released the retail sales data on Thursday. The U.S. retail sales climbed 0.6% in July, exceeding expectations for a 0.5% increase, after a flat reading in June. June's figure was revised up from a 0.3% drop.

The increase was partly driven by higher automobiles purchases. Automobiles sales rose 1.4% in July.

Retail sales excluding automobiles increased 0.4% in July, in line with forecasts, after a 0.4% gain in June. June's figure was revised up from a 0.1% decrease.

Sales at building material and garden equipment stores climbed 0.7% in July and sales at furniture stores increased 0.8%.

Sales at electronics and appliance outlets declined 1.2% in July, while sales at clothing retailers were up 0.4%.

These figures could add to speculation on that the Fed starts raising its interest rate next month.

(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 August 08 in the U.S. rose by 5,000 to 274,000 from 269,000 in the previous week. The previous week's figure was revised down from 270,000.

Analysts had expected the number of initial jobless claims to be 270,000.

Jobless claims remained below 300,000 the 23th straight week. This threshold is associated with the strengthening of the labour market.

The four-week moving average of initial jobless claims declined by 1,750 to 266,250 last week. It was the lowest level since April 2000.

Continuing jobless claims increased by 15,000 to 2,273,000 in the week ended August 01.

Upgrades:

Yahoo! (YHOO) upgraded to Outperform from Mkt Perform at Bernstein

Microsoft (MSFT) upgraded to Buy from Hold at Stifel, target $55

Downgrades:

Other:

Statistics Canada released its new housing price index on Thursday. New housing price index in Canada rose 0.3% in June, exceeding expectations of a 0.1% gain, after a 0.2% rise in May. It was the biggest monthly rise since August 2014.

The increase was driven by gains in Toronto.

On a yearly basis, new housing price index in Canada climbed 1.3% in June, after a 1.2% gain in May.

Stock indices rebounded after the yesterday's significant drop. The People's Bank of China (PBoC) has devaluated the yuan for the third day. But the central bank tried to reassure market participants on Thursday, saying there was no basis for further yuan devaluation.

The yuan depreciated 1.9% on Tuesday, 1.6% on Wednesday and 1.1% today. China's central bank set Thursday's daily fixing at 6.4010 per U.S. dollar, down from 6.3306 on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the economic data from the Eurozone was weak. German final consumer price index rose 0.2% in July, in line with the preliminary estimate, after a 0.1% decline in June.

On a yearly basis, German final consumer price index decreased to 0.2% in July from 0.3% in June, in line with the preliminary estimate. It was the lowest level since February.

The decline was driven by falling energy prices, which dropped 6.2% year-on-year in July.

The French consumer price inflation dropped 0.4% in July, after a 0.1% decrease in June.

On a yearly basis, the consumer price index climbed 0.2% in July, after a 0.3% rise in June.

Current figures:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 100 6,612.4 +41.21 +0.63 %

DAX 11,085.82 +161.21 +1.48 %

CAC 40 5,004.22 +78.79 +1.60 %

The Spanish statistical office INE released its final consumer price inflation data on Thursday. Final consumer price inflation in Spain was down 0.9% in July, up from the preliminary estimate of a 1.0% decline, after a 0.3% gain in June. It was the first drop in six months.

On a yearly basis, final consumer prices remained unchanged at 0.1% in July, up from the preliminary estimate of a flat reading.

The Federal Statistical Office released its producer and import prices data on Thursday. Switzerland's producer and import prices fell 0.3% in July, after a 0.1% drop in June.

The decline was driven by lower prices for petrol and petroleum products, watches and electronic components and circuit boards.

The Import Price Index decreased by 0.3% in July, while producer prices fell 0.2%.

On a yearly basis, producer and import prices plunged 6.4% in July, after a 6.1% drop in June.

The Import Price Index fell by 10.5% year-on year in July, while producer prices dropped 4.5%.

The French statistical office Insee released its consumer price inflation for France on Thursday. The French consumer price inflation dropped 0.4% in July, after a 0.1% decrease in June.

On a yearly basis, the consumer price index climbed 0.2% in July, after a 0.3% rise in June.

Fresh food prices rose 4.6% year-on-year in July, while petroleum products prices dropped by 9.2%.

Destatis released its final consumer price data for Germany on Thursday. German final consumer price index rose 0.2% in July, in line with the preliminary estimate, after a 0.1% decline in June.

On a yearly basis, German final consumer price index decreased to 0.2% in July from 0.3% in June, in line with the preliminary estimate. It was the lowest level since February.

The decline was driven by falling energy prices, which dropped 6.2% year-on-year in July.

Food prices climbed 0.4% year-on-year in July.

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors' (RICS) released its house price data on late Wednesday evening. The monthly house price balance increased to +44% in July from +40% in June, exceeding expectations for a gain to +42%.

The increase was driven by a shortage of properties.

"More worrying still is the suspicion that the imbalance between supply and demand will lead to even stronger price gains over the next 12 months," RICS Chief Economist, Simon Rubinsohn, said.

The U.S. Treasury Department released its federal budget data on Wednesday. The budget deficit increased to $149.2 billion in July, down from a deficit of $94.6 billion in July 2014.

The budget deficit rose as the U.S. government paid out $42 billion in August benefits in July.

In the first 10 months of the fiscal year 2015, which ends at September this year, the budget deficit totalled $465.5 billion, 1.1% higher than a year ago.

EU officials said that the Greek economy is expected to shrink 2.3% this year and 1.3% next year. The country's economy is expected to expand 2.7% in 2017 and 3.1% in 2018.

Under a new reform program, the primary budget targets are a primary deficit of 0.25% of gross domestic product in 2015, a 0.5% surplus in 2016, a 1.75% surplus in 2017 and a 3.5% surplus in 2018.

The People's Bank of China (PBoC) has devaluated the yuan for the third day. The PBoC has defended its decision to devaluate the yuan.

The yuan depreciated 1.9% on Tuesday, 1.6% on Wednesday and 1.1% today. China's central bank set Thursday's daily fixing at 6.4010 per U.S. dollar, down from 6.3306 on Wednesday.

The PBoC said on Tuesday that it was a "one-off depreciation".

The central bank tried to reassure market participants on Thursday, saying there was no basis for further yuan devaluation.

A weaker yuan could lead to capital outflows from China. The PBoC Governor Yi Gang said that the central bank will ensure "orderly" cross-border capital flows, adding that capital inflows and outflows were "basically balanced."

China wants to open the country's foreign-exchange markets to foreign institutions and to extend foreign-exchange trading hours. The yuan traded at a big discount in Hong Kong.

Major U.S. stock indices rebounded from loses and managed to advance slightly on Wednesday. Markets were weighed by a weaker yuan, which intensified concerns over global economic growth. However the People's Bank of China said that the yuan was unlikely to keep on declining and expressed confidence that the exchange rate will stabilize as market participants get used to a new system of median points.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 0.33 point to 17,402.51. The S&P 500 climbed 1.98 points, or 0.1%, to 2086.05.The Nasdaq Composite rose 7.6 points, or 0.2%, to 5044.39.

This morning in Asia Hong Kong Hang Seng rose 0.43%, or 103.36 points, to 24,019.38. China Shanghai Composite Index fell 0.47%, or 18.13 points, to 3,868.19. The Nikkei gained 0.98%, or 199.89 points, to 20,592.66.

Asian stocks outside China advanced. The People's Bank of China weakened the yuan 1.1% more after it had lowered it on Tuesday and Wednesday by 1.9% and 1.6% respectively. The PBOC said that it is able to maintain yuan's stability and pledged to open the country's currency markets for foreign investors.

Japanese stocks traded higher amid a weaker yen.

Stocks were also influenced by data from the Economic and Social Research Institute, which showed that Japan Core Machinery Orders fell by 7.9% m/m in June, while they were expected to decline only by 5.6%. This is the first decline in four months. It was generated by concerns over health of the global economy and falling commodity prices.

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

Nikkei 225 20,392.77 -327.98 -1.58 %

Hang Seng 23,916.02 -582.19 -2.38 %

S&P/ASX 200 5,382.08 -91.15 -1.67 %

Shanghai Composite 3,887.3 -40.60 -1.03 %

FTSE 100 6,571.19 -93.35 -1.40 %

CAC 40 4,925.43 -173.60 -3.40 %

Xetra DAX 10,924.61 -369.04 -3.27 %

S&P 500 2,086.05 +1.98 +0.10 %

NASDAQ Composite 5,044.39 +7.60 +0.15 %

Dow Jones 17,402.51 -0.33 0.00%