Polish equity market closed slightly higher on Thursday. The broad market measure, the WIG index, added 1.25%.Sector performance within the WIG Index was mixed. Banking sector (+4.06%) was the strongest group, while materials (-1.74%) lagged behind.

The large-cap benchmark, the WIG30 Index, surged by 1.51%. In the index basket, oil and gas producer PGNIG (WSE: PGN) was the strongest performer, advancing 6.62% on news that the company plans to build a pipeline between Poland and Norway by 2022 to reduce its dependence on Russia. Other major gainers were banking sector names ING BSK (WSE: ING), BZ WBK (WSE: BZW), MBANK (WSE: MBK), HANDLOWY (WSE: BHW), PEKAO (WSE: PEO) and PKO BP (WSE: PKO), gaining 3.15%-5.99% on expectations that a presidential draft bill on converting Swiss franc-denominated mortgages could be watered down. Elsewhere, FMCG wholesaler EUROCASH (WSE: EUR) rose by 4.79% on analyst upgrade. On the other side of the ledger, thermal coal miner BOGDANKA (WSE: LWB) recorded the biggest drop, down 4.13%. It was followed by oil refiner PKN ORLEN (WSE: PKN), declining 2.41% after the company reported a PLN 81 net loss in Q4 FY 2015, which came below analysts' expectations due to bigger-than-expected asset impairment charges amid falling oil prices.

Stock indices traded lower on weak corporate earnings and on the Fed's interest rate decision. The Fed kept its interest rate unchanged at 0.25% - 0.50% as widely expected by analysts. But the Fed noted that it was "closely monitoring global economic and financial developments and is assessing their implications for the labour market and inflation, and for the balance of risks to the outlook". Market participants speculate that the Fed could delay its further interest rate hikes.

Meanwhile, the economic data from the Eurozone was mixed. Destatis released its consumer price data for Germany on Thursday. German preliminary consumer price index decreased 0.8% in January, in line with expectations, after a 0.1% decrease in December.

On a yearly basis, German preliminary consumer price index rose to 0.5% in January from 0.3% in December, in line with expectations.

The European Commission released its economic sentiment index for the Eurozone on Thursday. The index slid to 105.0 in January from 106.7 in December. December's figure was revised down from 106.8.

Analysts had expected the index to decline to 106.4.

The drop was driven by a fall in confidence in industry and a decline in consumer confidence.

The industrial confidence index fell to -3.2 in January from -2.0 in December, missing expectations for a drop to -2.4.

The final consumer confidence index was down to -6.3 in January from -5.7 in December, in line with expectations.

The business climate index decreased to 0.29 in January from 0.39 in December. December's figure was revised down from 0.41. Analysts had expected the index to remain unchanged at 0.39.

The Office for National Statistics released its U.K. GDP data on Tuesday. The preliminary U.K. gross domestic product (GDP) climbed 0.5% in the fourth quarter, in line with expectations, after a 0.4% rise in the third.

The growth was mainly driven by a strong output in the services sector, which climbed 0.7% in the fourth quarter.

Construction fell 0.1% in the fourth quarter, while production declined 0.2%.

On a yearly basis, the preliminary U.K. GDP increased 1.9% in the fourth quarter, in line with forecasts, after a 2.1% gain in the third quarter. It was the slowest pace since the first quarter of 2013.

In 2015 as whole, U.K. GDP rose 2.2%, after a 2.9% growth in 2014.

The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) released its retail sales balance data on Thursday. The CBI retail sales balance plunged to +16% in January from +19% in November.

Indexes on the close:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 100 5,931.78 -58.59 -0.98 %

DAX 9,639.59 -241.23 -2.44 %

CAC 40 4,322.16 -58.20 -1.33 %

Major U.S. stock-indexes near zero area in volatile trading on Thursday as a decline in biotech stocks offset gains in energy shares. Crude rose as much as 6% earlier on speculation that Saudi Arabia and other OPEC countries would cut output to boost prices.

Dow stocks mixed (15 vs 15). Top looser American Express Company (AXP, -3,25%). Top gainer - Caterpillar Inc. (CAT, +2,93%).

S&P sectors also mixed. Top looser - Healthcare (-1,8%). Top gainer - Basic Materials (+1,8%).

At the moment:

Dow 15825.00 -26.00 -0.16%

S&P 500 1874.25 -0.75 -0.04%

Nasdaq 100 4136.00 +9.00 +0.22%

Oil 32.98 +0.68 +2.11%

Gold 1116.50 +0.20 +0.02%

U.S. 10yr 2.00 +0.00

The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) Director of Economics, Rain Newton-Smith, said on Thursday that a weak global growth and competitive pressures from abroad weigh on the U.K. manufacturing sector.

"Manufacturers are still feeling the hit from weaker global growth and competitive pressures from abroad. And while low oil prices are a boon for the economy as a whole, businesses in the North Sea industry are suffering," she said.

Newton-Smith noted, commenting on the latest U.K. GDP data, that "the UK economy ended 2015 in decent health".

The People's Bank of China (PBoC) on Thursday injected 340 billion yuan ($52 billion) into market to boost liquidity via seven-day reverse repos and 28-day reverse repos.

The central bank usually injects extra money before the Lunar New Year holiday.

Japan's Economy and Fiscal Policy Minister Akira Amari resigned amid corruption allegations on Thursday. He denied that he received bribes from a construction company.

Amari was the architect of "Abenomics" and Japan's lead negotiator for the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade deal.

Amari will be replaced by Nobuteru Ishihara, former environment minister.

The Swiss National Bank (SNB) Vice Chairman Fritz Zurbruegg said in interview with the Swiss newspaper Corriere del Ticino on Thursday that it was the right decision to remove the franc/euro cap last January.

"It was the right decision at the right time," he said.

Zurbruegg noted that the Swiss economy was holding up despite the strong franc.

He pointed out that there was no the risk of deflation.

"Inflation is very low and remains in negative territory this year. This is due to a transition of the sharp fall in oil and the strength of the franc and does not pose the risk of deflation," the SNB vice chairman said.

According to Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), retail sales in Japan declined at an annual rate of 1.1% in December, missing expectations for a 0.1% fall, after a 1.0% drop in November. It was the second consecutive monthly drop.

The decline was partly driven by lower fuel, and cars sales. Fuel sales slid 16.4% year-on-year in December, while car sales dropped 2.1%.

On a monthly basis, retail sales were down 0.2% in December, after a 2.5% decrease in November.

Statistics New Zealand released its trade data on late Wednesday evening. New Zealand's trade deficit narrowed to NZ$53 million in December from NZ$799 million in November. November's figure was revised down from a deficit of NZ$779 million.

Analysts had expected the deficit to decline to NZ$131 million.

Exports rose 0.6% in December, driven by logs, wood and wood articles, while imports declined 2.6%.

Exports dropped 2.2% year-on-year in December, driven by milk powder, while imports increased by 2.5%.

In 2015 as whole, the trade deficit was NZ$3.5 billion.

"The depreciating New Zealand dollar has an upward effect on import and export prices," Statistics NZ international statistics senior manager Jason Attewell said.

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 0.1% in December, missing expectations for a 0.8% gain, after a 1.1% drop in November. November's figure was revised down from a 0.9% decline.

The increase was mainly lead by a rise the Northeast.

"Warmer than average weather and more favourable inventory conditions compared to other parts of the country encouraged more households in the Northeast to make the decision to buy last month," the NAR's chief economist Lawrence Yun said.

"Overall, while sustained job creation is spurring more activity compared to a year ago, the ability to find available homes in affordable price ranges is difficult for buyers in many job creating areas. With homebuilding still grossly inadequate, steady price appreciation and tight supply conditions aren't going away any time soon," he added.

U.S. stock-index futures pared gains following weaker-than-expected December durable goods orders.

Global Stocks:

Nikkei 17,041.45 -122.47 -0.71%

Hang Seng 19,195.83 +143.38 +0.75%

Shanghai Composite 2,657.48 -78.08 -2.85%

FTSE 5,938.68 -51.69 -0.86%

CAC 4,320.98 -59.38 -1.36%

DAX 9,701.48 -179.34 -1.82%

Crude oil $32.71 (+1.27%)

Gold $1119.60 (+0.34%)

The U.S. Commerce Department released durable goods orders data on Thursday. The U.S. durable goods orders plunged 5.1% in December, missing expectations for a 0.6% fall, after a 0.5% drop in November. November's figure was revised down from a flat reading.

The decline was mainly driven by a weak demand for transportation equipment, which fell by 12.4% in December.

The U.S. durable goods orders excluding transportation dropped 1.2% in December, missing expectations for a 0.1% decrease, after a 0.5% decline in November. November's figure was revised down from a 0.1% drop.

The U.S. durable goods orders excluding defence slid 2.9 % in December, after a 2.0% decline in November. November's figure was revised down from a 1.5% decrease.

(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 January 23 in the U.S. dropped by 16,000 to 278,000 from 294,000 in the previous week. The previous week's figure was revised down from 293,000.

Analysts had expected jobless claims to fall to 282,000.

Jobless claims remained below 300,000 the 47th straight week. This threshold is associated with the strengthening of the labour market.

Continuing jobless claims rose by 49,000 to 2,268,000 in the week ended January 16.

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The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) released its retail sales balance data on Thursday. The CBI retail sales balance plunged to +16% in January from +19% in November.

Sales growth is expected to slow next month, while orders are expected to decline.

"Retailers have had a steady start to the year through the January sales period. However with competition remaining fierce and persistent price deflation in the sector, it's not surprising the outlook for retailers in February looks subdued," CBI Director of Economics, Rain Newton-Smith, said.

Destatis released its consumer price data for Germany on Thursday. German preliminary consumer price index decreased 0.8% in January, in line with expectations, after a 0.1% decrease in December.

On a yearly basis, German preliminary consumer price index rose to 0.5% in January from 0.3% in December, in line with expectations.

The annual increase was mainly driven by a rise in services prices, which were up 1.2% year-on-year in January.

Goods prices dropped 0.3% year-on-year in January, driven by a decline in energy prices. Energy prices slid 5.8% year-on-year in January.

Ford Motor reported Q4 FY 2015 earnings of $0.58 per share (versus $0.26 in Q4 FY 2014), beating analysts' consensus of $0.51.

The company's quarterly revenues amounted to $37.900 bln (+12.1% y/y), beating consensus estimate of $36.272 bln.

F rose to $12.00 (+1.27%) in pre-market trading.

Caterpillar reported Q4 FY 2015 earnings of $0.74 per share (versus $1.35 in Q4 FY 2014), beating analysts' consensus of $0.69.

The company's quarterly revenues amounted to $11.030 bln (-22.6% y/y), missing consensus estimate of $11.424 bln.

Caterpillar issued guidance for FY 2016, projecting EPS of $4.00 (versus analysts' consensus of $3.53) and revenues of $40-44 bln (versus analysts' consensus of $43.48 bln).

CAT rose to $60.40 (+3.57%) in pre-market trading.

Altria reported Q4 FY 2015 earnings of $0.67 per share (versus $0.66 in Q4 FY 2014), missing analysts' consensus of $0.68.

The company's quarterly revenues amounted to $4.729 bln (+2.5% y/y), slightly missing consensus estimate of $4.764 bln.

Altria issued in-line guidance for FY 2016, projecting EPS of $3.00-3.05 versus analysts' consensus of $3.05.

MO rose to $58.99 (+0.05%) in pre-market trading.

Stock indices traded lower on the Fed's interest rate decision. The Fed kept its interest rate unchanged at 0.25% - 0.50% as widely expected by analysts. But the Fed noted that it was "closely monitoring global economic and financial developments and is assessing their implications for the labour market and inflation, and for the balance of risks to the outlook". Market participants speculate that the Fed could delay its further interest rate hikes.

Meanwhile, the economic data from the Eurozone was weaker than expected. The European Commission released its economic sentiment index for the Eurozone on Thursday. The index slid to 105.0 in January from 106.7 in December. December's figure was revised down from 106.8.

Analysts had expected the index to decline to 106.4.

The drop was driven by a fall in confidence in industry and a decline in consumer confidence.

The industrial confidence index fell to -3.2 in January from -2.0 in December, missing expectations for a drop to -2.4.

The final consumer confidence index was down to -6.3 in January from -5.7 in December, in line with expectations.

The business climate index decreased to 0.29 in January from 0.39 in December. December's figure was revised down from 0.41. Analysts had expected the index to remain unchanged at 0.39.

The Office for National Statistics released its U.K. GDP data on Tuesday. The preliminary U.K. gross domestic product (GDP) climbed 0.5% in the fourth quarter, in line with expectations, after a 0.4% rise in the third.

The growth was mainly driven by a strong output in the services sector, which climbed 0.7% in the fourth quarter.

Construction fell 0.1% in the fourth quarter, while production declined 0.2%.

On a yearly basis, the preliminary U.K. GDP increased 1.9% in the fourth quarter, in line with forecasts, after a 2.1% gain in the third quarter. It was the slowest pace since the first quarter of 2013.

In 2015 as whole, U.K. GDP rose 2.2%, after a 2.9% growth in 2014.

Current figures:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 100 5,968.52 -21.85 -0.36 %

DAX 9,818.11 -62.71 -0.63 %

CAC 40 4,368.7 -11.66 -0.27 %

The Spanish statistical office INE released its labour market figures on Thursday. The unemployment rate was 20.9% in the fourth quarter, down from 21.2% in the third quarter. It was the lowest level in four years.

The number of registered unemployed people fell by 71,300 in the fourth quarter to 4.78 million, the lowest level since the end of 2010.

In 2015 as whole, the number of registered unemployed people declined by 678,200.

Spain's unemployment rate is the second-highest unemployment rate in the Eurozone after Greece.

The Spanish statistical office INE released its retail sales data on Thursday. Retail sales in Spain rose at a seasonally adjusted rate of 0.2% in December, after a 0.6% decline in November.

Food sales were up 0.9% in December, while non-food sales decreased by 0.5%.

On a yearly basis, retail sales climbed at a seasonally adjusted rate of 2.2% in December, after a 3.3% rise in November.

Sales of non-food products jumped 3.0% in December from a year ago, while food sales fell 0.2%.

In 2015 as whole, retail sales rose by 3.6%.

Destatis released its import prices data for Germany on Thursday. German import prices declined by 3.1% in December from last year, after a 3.5% fall in November.

The decline was driven by a drop in energy prices, which plunged 25.9% year-on-year in December.

Import prices decline since January 2013.

On a monthly base, import prices decreased 1.2% in December, after a 0.2% fall in November.

On a yearly base, import prices excluding crude oil and mineral oil products fell by 0.9% in December.

In 2015 as whole, import prices slid 2.6%, after a 2.2% fall in 2014.

Export prices increased 0.2% year-on-year in December, after a 0.3% rise in November.

On a monthly base, export prices were down 0.4% in December, after a 0.1% rise in November.

In 2015 as whole, export prices climbed 0.9%.

The Office for National Statistics released its U.K. GDP data on Tuesday. The preliminary U.K. gross domestic product (GDP) climbed 0.5% in the fourth quarter, in line with expectations, after a 0.4% rise in the third.

The growth was mainly driven by a strong output in the services sector, which climbed 0.7% in the fourth quarter.

Construction fell 0.1% in the fourth quarter, while production declined 0.2%.

On a yearly basis, the preliminary U.K. GDP increased 1.9% in the fourth quarter, in line with forecasts, after a 2.1% gain in the third quarter. It was the slowest pace since the first quarter of 2013.

In 2015 as whole, U.K. GDP rose 2.2%, after a 2.9% growth in 2014.

The European Commission released its economic sentiment index for the Eurozone on Thursday. The index slid to 105.0 in January from 106.7 in December. December's figure was revised down from 106.8.

Analysts had expected the index to decline to 106.4.

The drop was driven by a fall in confidence in industry and a decline in consumer confidence.

The industrial confidence index fell to -3.2 in January from -2.0 in December, missing expectations for a drop to -2.4.

The final consumer confidence index was down to -6.3 in January from -5.7 in December, in line with expectations.

The business climate index decreased to 0.29 in January from 0.39 in December. December's figure was revised down from 0.41. Analysts had expected the index to remain unchanged at 0.39.

The Fed released its interest rate decision on Wednesday. The Fed kept its interest rate unchanged at 0.25% - 0.50%. This decision was widely expected by analysts.

The Fed said that the U.S. economy is expected to continue to expand moderately, while the U.S. labour market is expected to continue to strengthen. But the Fed noted that it was "closely monitoring global economic and financial developments and is assessing their implications for the labour market and inflation, and for the balance of risks to the outlook".

The Fed also said that inflation is expected to remain at low levels due to a further drop in energy prices.

The Fed raised its interest rate to the range 0.25% - 0.50% from 0.00% - 0.25% in December.

The Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) released its interest rate decision on Wednesday. The RBNZ kept its interest rate unchanged at 2.5% as widely expected by analysts.

The central bank hinted that further monetary policy easing is possible, but it will depend on the incoming economic data.

"Some further policy easing may be required over the coming year to ensure that future average inflation settles near the middle of the target range," the RBNZ Governor Graeme Wheeler said.

He noted that the inflation and the economic growth in New Zealand are expected to rise in 2016, adding that global growth, global financial market conditions, dairy prices, net immigration, and pressures in the housing market are risks to the outlook.

The RBNZ governor also said that a further depreciation of the New Zealand dollar was appropriate due to low export prices.

Wheeler noted that house price inflation in Auckland is a risk to financial stability.

The RBNZ lowered its interest rate to 2.50% from 2.75% in December.

The French labour ministry said on Wednesday that the number of registered job seekers without any employment activity rose 0.4% in December.

The total number of fully unemployed was 3.591 million people.

The number of job seekers climbed 2.6% in 2015, the smallest increase since 2010.

The unemployment in France remains at high levels since French President Francois Hollande took office in 2012. The French government is struggling to bring down unemployment.

Hollande said in a speech last Monday that the government will spend €2.00 billion to create more jobs in France.

U.S. stock indices declined on Wednesday after the Federal Reserve admitted that economic growth slowed. However the central bank indicated that interest rates could still be raised in March. "In light of the current shortfall of inflation from 2%, the Committee will carefully monitor actual and expected progress toward its inflation goal," Fed's statement said.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 222.77 points, or 1.4%, to 15,944 reversing an earlier gain of 150 points. The S&P 500 lost 20.68 points, or 1.1%, to 1,882.95. The Nasdaq Composite fell 99.51 points, or 2.2%, to 4,468.17.

A 6% decline in Apple stocks weighed on the Dow index after the company reported that iPhone sales posted the slowest growth pace since the handset's introduction in 2007.

This morning in Asia Hong Kong Hang Seng climbed 0.18%, or 34.14, to 19,086.59. China Shanghai Composite Index fell 0.81%, or 22.23, to 2,713.33. The Nikkei declined 0.27%, or 46.11, to 17,117.81.

Asian stock indices traded mixed as investors remained concerned over volatile oil prices, China's slowing economy and weakness of the global economy.

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

Nikkei 225 17,163.92 +455.02 +2.72 %

Hang Seng 19,052.45 +191.65 +1.02 %

Shanghai Composite 2,735.56 -14.23 -0.52 %

FTSE 100 5,990.37 +78.91 +1.33 %

CAC 40 4,380.36 +23.55 +0.54 %

Xetra DAX 9,880.82 +58.07 +0.59 %

S&P 500 1,882.95 -20.68 -1.09 %

NASDAQ Composite 4,468.17 -99.51 -2.18 %

Dow Jones 15,944.46 -222.77 -1.38 %