(raw materials / closing price /% change)

Light Crude 66.75 -0.09%

Gold 1,205.10 -0.22%

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

Nikkei 225 17,887.21 +166.78 +0.94%

Hang Seng 23,832.56 +403.94 +1.72%

S&P/ASX 200 5,368.79 +46.97 +0.88%

Shanghai Composite 2,900.36 +120.84 +4.35%

FTSE 100 6,679.37 -37.26 -0.55%

CAC 40 4,323.89 -67.97 -1.55%

Xetra DAX 9,851.35 -120.44 -1.21%

S&P 500 2,071.92 -2.41 -0.12%

NASDAQ Composite 4,769.44 -5.04 -0.11%

Dow Jones 17,900.1 -12.52 -0.07%

(pare/closed(GMT +2)/change, %)

EUR/USD $1,2378 +0,56%

GBP/USD $1,5671 -0,09%

USD/CHF Chf0,9712 -0,64%

USD/JPY Y119,77 -0,01%

EUR/JPY Y148,26 +0,54%

GBP/JPY Y187,7 -0,09%

AUD/USD $0,8382 -0,25%

NZD/USD $0,7781 +0,30%

USD/CAD C$1,1384 +0,18%

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

05:00 Japan Leading Economic Index October 105.6

05:00 Japan Coincident Index October 109.8

07:00 Germany Factory Orders s.a. (MoM) October +0.8% +0.6%

07:00 Germany Factory Orders n.s.a. (YoY) October -1.0%

08:00 Switzerland Foreign Currency Reserves November 460.4

09:30 United Kingdom Consumer Inflation Expectations November +2.8%

10:00 Eurozone GDP (QoQ) (Revised) Quarter III +0.2% +0.2%

10:00 Eurozone GDP (YoY) (Revised) Quarter III +0.8% +0.8%

13:30 Canada Trade balance, billions October 0.7 0.4

13:30 Canada Employment November 43.1 5.3

13:30 Canada Unemployment rate November 6.5% 6.6%

13:30 U.S. International Trade, bln October -43.0 -41.2

13:30 U.S. Average hourly earnings November +0.1% +0.2%

13:30 U.S. Nonfarm Payrolls November 214 225

13:30 U.S. Unemployment Rate November 5.8% 5.8%

13:45 U.S. FOMC Member Mester Speaks

15:00 U.S. Factory Orders October -0.6% -0.2%

19:45 U.S. FED Vice Chairman Stanley Fischer Speaks

20:00 U.S. Consumer Credit October 15.9 16.5

Stock indices closed lower on comments by the European Central Bank (ECB) President Mario Draghi. He said at a press conference on Thursday that the central bank will decide early next year whether to add further stimulus measures to boost inflation in the Eurozone.

Draghi pointed out that the central bank had discussed various options of quantitative easing (QE).

The central bank kept its interest rate unchanged at 0.05%.

The ECB cut its inflation and growth forecasts. Inflation forecast for the Eurozone was lowered to 0.5% in 2014 from the previous estimate of 0.6%, to 0.7% in 2015 from the previous estimate 1.1% and to 1.3% in 2016 from the previous estimate 1.4%.

The ECB also cut its economic growth forecast for the Eurozone. The growth was lowered to 0.8% 2014 the previous estimate of 0.9%, to 1.0% in 2015 from the previous estimate of 1.6% and to 1.5% in 2016 from the previous estimate of 1.9%.

Investors were disappointed as they speculated that the ECB will announce further stimulus measures.

The Bank of England 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 delay its interest rate hike until the second half of 2015 because of low inflation, weak wages growth in the U.K. and a slowdown of the economic growth in the Eurozone.

Indexes on the close:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 100 6,679.37 -37.26 -0.55%

DAX 9,851.35 -120.44 -1.21%

CAC 40 4,323.89 -67.97 -1.55%

The U.S. dollar traded lower against the most major currencies after the number of initial jobless claims from the U.S. The number of initial jobless claims in the week ending November 29 in the U.S. fell by 17,000 to 297,000 from 314,000 in the previous week, in line with expectations. The previous week's figure was revised to 314,000 from 313.000.

The euro rose against the U.S. dollar after the European Central Bank's (ECB) press conference. The ECB President Mario Draghi said at a press conference on Thursday that the central bank will decide early next year whether to add further stimulus measures to boost inflation in the Eurozone.

Draghi pointed out that the central bank had discussed various options of quantitative easing (QE).

The central bank kept its interest rate unchanged at 0.05%.

The ECB cut its inflation and growth forecasts. Inflation forecast for the Eurozone was lowered to 0.5% in 2014 from the previous estimate of 0.6%, to 0.7% in 2015 from the previous estimate 1.1% and to 1.3% in 2016 from the previous estimate 1.4%.

The ECB also cut its economic growth forecast for the Eurozone. The growth was lowered to 0.8% 2014 the previous estimate of 0.9%, to 1.0% in 2015 from the previous estimate of 1.6% and to 1.5% in 2016 from the previous estimate of 1.9%.

The British pound traded higher against the U.S. dollar. The BoE kept its interest rates unchanged at 0.5% and its asset purchase program unchanged at £375 billion. This decision was widely expected.

The Halifax house price index for the U.K. rose 0.4% in November, after a 0.4% decline in October.

On a yearly basis, the Halifax house price index for the U.K. climbed 8.2% in November, after a 8.8% rise in October.

The Canadian dollar traded lower against the U.S. dollar despite the better-than-expected Canadian Ivey purchasing managers' index. Canada's seasonally adjusted Ivey purchasing managers' index rose 56.9 in November from 51.2 in October. Analysts had expected the index to increase to 53.2.

The New Zealand dollar increased against the U.S. dollar in the absence of any major economic reports from New Zealand. In the overnight trading session, the kiwi traded lower against the greenback due to stronger U.S. currency.

The Australian dollar traded higher against the U.S. dollar. In the overnight trading session, the Aussie fell to 4-year lows against the greenback despite the better-than-expected economic data from Australia. Retail sales in Australia rose 0.4% in October, exceeding expectations for a 0.1% increase, after a 1.3% gain in September. September's figure was revised up from a 1.2% rise.

Australia's trade deficit narrowed to A$1.32 billion in October from A$2.24 billion in September. September's figure was revised up from a deficit of A$2.26 billion. Analysts had expected the trade deficit to decline to A$1.81 billion.

The Japanese yen traded higher against the U.S. dollar in the absence of any major economic reports from Japan.

Oil prices declined moderately today, which was associated with the decision of Saudi Arabia to reduce selling prices for Asian and American buyers, a week after the refusal to support the production cuts by OPEC.

Today oil company Saudi Aramco said that the official selling price of all grades of oil supplied to Asia in January, will be reduced by 1.5-1.9 per barrel compared to the December prices. Prices for all grades of oil supplied to the United States, were also reduced by 10-90 cents per barrel. Prices for all grades of oil supplied to the North-West Europe and the Mediterranean, were increased by 20-50 cents per barrel compared to the prices of December.

Experts Wall Street Journal, citing its sources, said that Saudi Arabia is not going to cut oil production and is regarded as acceptable for the price of a barrel of Brent yourself $ 60. "The largest oil producer in OPEC - Saudi Arabia said that oil prices can be stabilized in the area of 60 dollars per barrel. Riyadh and other Gulf countries are confident that they can sustain this price level "- the newspaper writes. According to sources, the newspaper, the current approach of Saudi Arabia, which occupies a key position in OPEC, means that in the short term it will not go on the decline in production, even if oil prices continue to fall.

It should also be emphasized that the decision of OPEC to cut production has led many experts to reduce oil price forecasts. Average forecast of 31 analysts and economists to Reuters Brent crude was down $ 11.20, compared with the November forecast to $ 82.50 per barrel in 2015. The forecast for 2016 was $ 87.40, and since the beginning of this year, the average price of Brent - $ 102,70 per barrel. The forecast average WTI price in 2015 decreased by $ 10 compared to the October survey, up to $ 78 per barrel. Since the beginning of this year, the average price of WTI was $ 96. "OPEC's decision to maintain production means excess oil. At the current level of production of OPEC market 1.5-2.0 million b / d of excess oil, "- said the strategist BNP Paribas Gareth Davies.

The course of trading and continues to influence the last report from the US Energy Information Administration. Recall zpasy US crude fell by 3.7 million barrels last week, with growth forecast at 1.3 million barrels. Inventories in Cushing, Oklahoma, fell by 694,000 barrels.

Cost of January futures for US light crude oil WTI (Light Sweet Crude Oil) dropped to 66.32 dollars per barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

January futures price for North Sea Brent crude oil mix fell $ 0.64, to $ 69.35 a barrel on the London Stock Exchange ICE Futures Europe.

Gold prices retreated from a session low, thus returning to the levels of the opening, which was associated with the recovery of the euro against the dollar after the statements of the ECB.

After the ECB's decision to keep rates at previous levels Draghi said that the ECB is ready to take additional measures, if necessary, but did not make any specific announcements. He also added that the ECB lowered its forecasts for inflation and the economy. Bank revised GDP forecast for 2015 and 2016 to 1.0% and 1.5% against the September estimates 1.6% and 1.9%, respectively. With regard to inflation, experts believe that in 2015 HICP index will rise by 0.7% and in 2016 - 1.3%.

The head of the ECB said that the central bank will be particularly vigilant, tracking the dynamics of oil prices. Draghi noted that structural reforms in the euro area can stimulate the economy, and the pace of reforms on the labor market needs to be accelerated. Meanwhile, he added that in the coming months has already launched measures will make the current rate even more accommodative, support the policy of transparency with regard to the main interest rates and once again confirm the fact that there is a significant difference between the monetary policy of the largest developed economies.

Had little effect as today's data on the US labor market. As it became known, initial applications for unemployment benefits fell by 17,000 and amounted to a seasonally adjusted 297,000 in the week ended November 29th. The result coincided with the expectations of economists. Data on applications for unemployment benefits are unstable and tend to fluctuate from week to week. Moving average for four weeks, which smooths the data increased by 4750 to 299 000. The report also showed that the number of people who continued to receive unemployment benefits rose by 39,000 to 2.36 million in the week ended Nov. 22.

Investors are also expected to release a report on non-farm payrolls to obtain additional evidence of strength recovery in the labor market. Economists forecast that employers added 225,000 new jobs, and the unemployment rate will be 5.8%. Strong employment data are likely to increase speculation about when the Fed will raise interest rates, while the weak performance could support gold, undermining the basis for an early rate hike. Recall expectations of growth rates on loans put pressure on gold as a precious metal with difficulty competing with the yield on interest bearing assets at higher rates.

It is worth emphasizing that many traders explain the recent rise in gold prices including cover short positions and are not sure of continued growth. "Much of the shopping recently been associated with the liquidation of short positions, rather than opening or extension of long," - says the report HSBC.

Cost of January futures for gold on the COMEX today rose by $ 1.1 to 1209.60 dollars per ounce.

Canada's seasonally adjusted Ivey purchasing managers' index rose 56.9 in November from 51.2 in October. Analysts had expected the index to increase to 53.2.

A reading above 50 indicates a rise in the pace of activity.

The European Central Bank (ECB) President Mario Draghi said at a press conference on Thursday that the central bank will decide early next year whether to add further stimulus measures to boost inflation in the Eurozone. He added that the ECB could adjust the size, pace and composition of the current stimulus measures if needed.

Draghi pointed out that the central bank had discussed various options of quantitative easing (QE). QE could be implemented without the unanimous support of ECB's governing council, Draghi said.

The ECB president also said that the central bank has discussed purchasing all assets with the exception of gold.

The European Central Bank (ECB) released its new economic forecast figures on Thursday. Inflation forecast for the Eurozone was lowered to 0.5% in 2014 from the previous estimate of 0.6%, to 0.7% in 2015 from the previous estimate 1.1% and to 1.3% in 2016 from the previous estimate 1.4%.

The ECB also cut its economic growth forecast for the Eurozone. The growth was lowered to 0.8% 2014 the previous estimate of 0.9%, to 1.0% in 2015 from the previous estimate of 1.6% and to 1.5% in 2016 from the previous estimate of 1.9%.

The ECB warned that new inflation forecasts did not take into account the recent decline in oil prices.

U.S. stock futures fell as European Central Bank President Mario Draghi said policy makers will wait until next quarter before assessing if additional stimulus measures are needed.

Global markets:

Nikkei 17,887.21 +166.78 +0.94%

Hang Seng 23,832.56 +403.94 +1.72%

Shanghai Composite 2,900.36 +120.84 +4.35%

FTSE 6,680.84 -35.79 -0.53%

CAC 4,335.09 -56.77 -1.29%

DAX 9,886.62 -85.17 -0.85%

Crude oil $66.90 (-0.73%)

Gold $1208.50 (-0.02%)

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

Upgrades:

Procter & Gamble Co (PG) upgraded to Outperform from Neutral at Credit Suisse

Downgrades:

Wal-Mart (WMT) downgraded to Neutral from Buy at UBS

Other:

FedEx (FDX) target raised to $200 from $175 at Oppenheimer

EUR/USD: $1.2265(E639mn), $1.2300(E477mn), $1.2350(E950mn), $1.2400($E1.9bn), $1.2450(E2.0bn)

USD/JPY: Y119.00($1.0bn), Y119.75($350mn), Y120.00($3.0bn)

EUR/JPY: Y146.75(E450mn), Y148.50(E350mn)

AUD/USD: $0.8400(A$275mn)

USD/CAD: Cad1.1365($670mn), Cad1.1400($1.36bn)

USD/CHF: Chf0.9640($210mn), Chf0.9900($381mn)

EUR/CHF: Chf1.2030/40(E560mn)

NZD/USD: $0.7725(NZ$525mn)

The Bank of England (BoE) released its interest rate decision today. 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 delay its interest rate hike until the second half of 2015 because of low inflation, weak wages growth in the U.K. and a slowdown of the economic growth in the Eurozone.

Investors are awaiting the minutes of the monetary policy committee (MPC). The minutes of the meeting will be released on December 17.

Two MPC members voted in November for the fourth consecutive month to raise interest rates to 0.75% from 0.5%.

Economic calendar (GMT0):

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

00:30 Australia Retail sales (MoM) October +1.3% Revised From +1.2% +0.1% +0.4%

00:30 Australia Retail Sales Y/Y October +5.7% +5.7%

00:30 Australia Trade Balance October -2.24 Revised From -2.26 -1.81 -1.32

08:00 United Kingdom Halifax house price index November -0.4% +0.4%

08:00 United Kingdom Halifax house price index 3m Y/Y November +8.8% +8.2%

12:00 United Kingdom BoE Interest Rate Decision 0.50% 0.50% 0.50%

12:00 United Kingdom Asset Purchase Facility 375 375 375

12:00 United Kingdom MPC Rate Statement

12:45 Eurozone ECB Interest Rate Decision 0.05% 0.05%

The U.S. dollar traded mixed against the most major currencies ahead of the number of initial jobless claims from the U.S. The number of initial jobless claims in the U.S. is expected to decline by 16,000 to 297,000.

The euro traded mixed against the U.S. dollar ahead the European Central Bank's (ECB) press conference. Investors speculate that the ECB' President Mario Draghi's will announce further stimulus measures to boost the economy and inflation in the Eurozone. Inflation in the Eurozone declined to an annual rate of 0.3% in November.

The ECB released its interest decision today. The central bank kept its interest rate unchanged at 0.05%.

The British pound traded slightly lower against the U.S. dollar after the Bank of England's (BoE) interest rate decision. The BoE kept its interest rates unchanged at 0.5% and its asset purchase program unchanged at £375 billion. This decision was widely expected.

The Halifax house price index for the U.K. rose 0.4% in November, after a 0.4% decline in October.

On a yearly basis, the Halifax house price index for the U.K. climbed 8.2% in November, after a 8.8% rise in October.

The Canadian dollar traded mixed against the U.S. dollar ahead of the Canadian Ivey purchasing managers' index. The index is expected to increase to 53.2 in November from 51.2 in October.

EUR/USD: the currency pair traded mixed

GBP/USD: the currency pair fell to $1.5659

USD/JPY: the currency pair traded mixed

The most important news that are expected (GMT0):

13:30 Eurozone ECB Press Conference

13:30 U.S. Initial Jobless Claims November 313 297

13:30 U.S. FOMC Member Mester Speaks

15:00 Canada Ivey Purchasing Managers Index November 51.2 53.2

17:30 U.S. FOMC Member Brainard Speaks

European indices are trading stronger today ahead of ECB's policy meeting in Frankfurt, U.S. initial jobless claims later in the day at 13:30 GMT and U.S. unemployment rate and nonfarm payrolls due on Friday. The FTSE 100 index gained +0.04% quoted at 6,719.40 points after earlier in the day U.K.'s Halifax House Price Index was published reading +0.4% in November, compared to -0.4% in October. The BoE left the Asset Purchase Facility unchanged at GBP375 billion. Benchmark interest rates stayed at 0.5%. France's CAC 40 added +0.46% trading at 4,411.97 and Germany's DAX 30 gained +0.52% trading at 10,023.46 points close to an all-time high.

Oil prices are trading steady today. Brent Crude gained +0.01% trading at USD69.93 a barrel, and West Texas Intermediate lost -0.10% currently quoted at USD67.31 after an unexpected drop in U.S. inventories. After OPEC's decision to leave outputs rates at 30 million barrels a day despite a 40% drop in oil prices over 5 months the markets remain volatile. Markets await the outcome of today's ECB meeting in Frankfurt and important U.S. data on initial jobless claims and the unemployment rate in Friday to get an indication on further stimulus in the Eurozone and when the FED will raise interest rates.

Gold retreated at USD1,203.90 a troy ounce just above the important level of USD1,200 weighed by a strong U.S. dollar trading above a five-year high against the single currency and ahead of the ECB meeting taking place in Frankfurt that may give further hints regarding the timing of the stimulus program. Markets are also looking ahead to the release of U.S. Nonfarm Payrolls and Unemployment Rate later in the week on Friday and U.S. initial jobless claims scheduled for today at 13:30 GMT. A stronger U.S. dollar and a raise in U.S. interest rates as a consequence of economic growth in the U.S. weigh on the precious metal as it only offers returns through price increases and gold becomes more expensive to buy for holders of other currencies.

GOLD currently trading at USD1,203.90

EUR/USD: $1.2265(E639mn), $1.2300(E477mn), $1.2350(E950mn), $1.2400($E1.9bn), $1.2450(E2.0bn)

USD/JPY: Y119.00($1.0bn), Y119.75($350mn), Y120.00($3.0bn)

EUR/JPY: Y146.75(E450mn), Y148.50(E350mn)

AUD/USD: $0.8400(A$275mn)

USD/CAD: Cad1.1365($670mn), Cad1.1400($1.36bn)

USD/CHF: Chf0.9640($210mn), Chf0.9900($381mn)

EUR/CHF: Chf1.2030/40(E560mn)

NZD/USD: $0.7725(NZ$525mn)

REUTERS

Fed's Fischer says government bond buys by ECB would have positive effects: La Repubblica

(Reuters) - The European Central Bank should follow the example of the U.S. Federal Reserve and buy government bonds to prop up the tottering euro zone economy, the Fed's vice chair Stanley Fischer was quoted as saying in an Italian newspaper.

"The same arguments in favor of quantitative easing (bond purchases) that demonstrated their effectiveness for the U.S. economy are valid for Europe too. If the ECB moves in that direction, it will have positive effects," Fischer told La Repubblica daily in an interview.

Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/12/04/us-fed-fischer-ecb-idUSKCN0JI0I820141204

REUTERS

Euro zone risks return to contraction, China outlook smoggy

(Reuters) - The euro zone economy may face another contraction after business activity grew less than expected in November, although more upbeat data in Asia and the United States suggested global growth should remain intact in the final quarter.

Firms across the euro zone cut prices again, which may be a topic of concern for the European Central Bank at a policy meeting on Thursday.

However, China's services sector picked up some pace in November and JPMorgan's Global All-Industry Output Index, produced with Markit, held above the 50 mark dividing growth from contraction.

Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/12/04/us-global-economy-idUSKCN0JI00B20141204

BLOOMBERG

Yen's Drop Seen Bounded by Government Rhetoric as Vote Looms

The yen's slide to much beyond 120 per dollar will have to wait until after the Dec. 14 general election -- at least if the Japanese government has its say.

Officials are likely to continue verbal intervention to prevent excessive yen declines, according to Nomura Holdings Inc. strategist Yunosuke Ikeda, after the currency tumbled from about 109 per dollar in late October to a seven-year low of 119.95 today. Finance Minister Taro Aso warned on Nov. 21 that the yen was falling too fast, as it raced to its biggest monthly drop since the start of 2013, spurred by an unexpected expansion of Bank of Japan stimulus on Oct. 31.

Source: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-12-03/yen-drop-seen-bounded-by-government-jawboning-as-election-looms.html

European stocks are trading around their openings in today's session ahead of the ECB interest decision and press conference scheduled for 12:45 and 13:30 GMT in Frankfurt. Market participants bet on additional stimulus to be announced.

Markets also await data on U.K.'s interest rate decision, asset purchase facility and the MPC rate statement and later in the day the U.S. initial jobless claims.

Earlier in the day U.K.'s Halifax House Price Index was published reading +0.4% in November, compared to -0.4% in October. The House Price Index for 3 months year on year decreased to +8.2% with a previous reading of +8.8%.

The FTSE 100 index is currently trading negative losing -0.12% quoted at 6,708.65 points, Germany's DAX 30 added +0.19% at 9,990.50, just below the important 10,000 points level. France's CAC 40 lost -0.09%, currently trading at 4,387.98 points.

U.S. markets closed higher posting gains after a better-than expected ISM Non-Manufacturing report. Earlier in the day ADP reported that the U.S. private sector created 208,000 jobs in November, falling short of expectations of 223,000 after 233,000 jobs added in October. The Fed's beige book indicated solid growth in the world's largest economy. The DOW JONES added +0.18% closing at 17,912.62 points and the S&P 500 rose +0.38 with a final quote of 2,074.33 points.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng is trading +1.51% at 23,782.99. China's Shanghai Composite closed at 2,900.36 points, a gain of +4.35%, accumulating a gain of nearly 36% since the beginning of the year.

Japan's Nikkei rose for a fifth consecutive day, gaining +0.94% closing at 17,887.21 - near a 7-1/2 year high, as the yen continued to weaken supporting export stocks. Polls showed that Prime Minister Abe will post solid wins at the December 14^th election obtaining a broader support for his policy called "Abenomics" - his plan to strengthen the Japanese economy.

Economic calendar (GMT0):

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

00:30 Australia Retail sales (MoM) October +1.3% [Revised From +1.2%] +0.1% +0.4%

00:30 Australia Retail Sales Y/Y October +5.7% +5.7%

00:30 Australia Trade Balance October -2.24 [Revised From -2.26] -1.81 -1.32

The greenback traded stronger against its Asian and European counterparts after the upbeat ISM Service sector data stoking hopes that economic growth in the wold's largest economy will further pick up pace. The Institute for Supply Management released its non-manufacturing purchasing managers' index for the U.S. on Wednesday. The index rose to 59.3 in November from 57.5 in October, beating expectations for a decline to 57.1. The FED's beige book showed job gains across the U.S. Market participants are awaiting Initial Jobless Claims being due at 13:30 GMT followed by speeches of FOMC member Mester and Brainard.

The Australian dollar traded weaker against the greenback and extended its four-year low after Goldman Sachs Australia Chief Economist Tim Toohey predicted it will slide to 83 U.S. cents in three months and 79 U.S. cents in the next year. Positive data on Retail Sales, reading +0.4% in October beating forecasts by +0.3% and a less negative trade balance for the same month, showing a deficit of AUD1.3 billion, lower than the AUD1.81 billion expected and below the AUD2.3 billion deficit in September, were no real support.

The New Zealand dollar further weakened against the U.S. dollar falling near a three-week low after yesterday's decline in milk prices. At the Fonterra Cooperative Group Ltd. auction prices fell to USD2,229 per metric ton, less than half the early February price of USD5,005.

The Japanese yen fell for a third consecutive day against the U.S. dollar trading at new seven-year lows at USD119.88, the weakest since August 2007 three days after Moody's downgraded Japan's sovereign debt rating. Polls for the upcoming election on December 14^th show that Prime Minister Abe will be able to boost his majority and will be able to continue his Abenomics - a policy that led to a hefty decline in Japan's currency.

EUR/USD: the euro declined against the greenback

USD/JPY: the U.S. dollar traded stronger against the yen

GPB/USD: The British pound traded lower against the U.S. dollar

The most important news that are expected (GMT0):

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

08:00 United Kingdom Halifax house price index November -0.4%

08:00 United Kingdom Halifax house price index 3m Y/Y November +8.8%

12:00 United Kingdom BoE Interest Rate Decision 0.50% 0.50%

12:00 United Kingdom Asset Purchase Facility 375 375

12:00 United Kingdom MPC Rate Statement

12:45 Eurozone ECB Interest Rate Decision 0.05% 0.05%

13:30 Eurozone ECB Press Conference

13:30 U.S. Initial Jobless Claims November 313 297

13:30 U.S. FOMC Member Mester Speaks

15:00 Canada Ivey Purchasing Managers Index November 51.2 53.2

17:30 U.S. FOMC Member Brainard Speaks

22:30 Australia AiG Performance of Construction Index November 53.4

EUR / USD

Resistance levels (open interest**, contracts)

$1.2429 (3674)

$1.2372 (684)

$1.2338 (136)

Price at time of writing this review: $ 1.2303

Support levels (open interest**, contracts):

$1.2282 (7010)

$1.2264 (5807)

$1.2239 (6244)

Comments:

- Overall open interest on the CALL options with the expiration date December, 5 is 120479 contracts, with the maximum number of contracts with strike price $1,2800 (6272);

- Overall open interest on the PUT options with the expiration date December, 5 is 112671 contracts, with the maximum number of contracts with strike price $1,2250 (7394);

- The ratio of PUT/CALL was 0.94 versus 1.01 from the previous trading day according to data from December, 3

GBP/USD

Resistance levels (open interest**, contracts)

$1.5900 (1367)

$1.5801 (1120)

$1.5704 (1874)

Price at time of writing this review: $1.5681

Support levels (open interest**, contracts):

$1.5598 (2741)

$1.5499 (815)

$1.5400 (980)

Comments:

- Overall open interest on the CALL options with the expiration date December, 5 is 43280 contracts, with the maximum number of contracts with strike price $1,5850 (2002);

- Overall open interest on the PUT options with the expiration date December, 5 is 41405 contracts, with the maximum number of contracts with strike price $1,5600 (2741);

- The ratio of PUT/CALL was 0.96 versus 0.98 from the previous trading day according to data from December, 3

* - 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)

Light Crude 67.39 +0.01%

Gold 1,209.20 +0.04%

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

Nikkei 225 17,720.43 +57.21 +0.32%

Hang Seng 23,428.62 -225.68 -0.95%

Shanghai Composite 2,779.53 +15.98 +0.58%

FTSE 100 6,716.63 -25.47 -0.38%

CAC 40 4,391.86 +3.56 +0.08%

Xetra DAX 9,971.79 +37.71 +0.38%

S&P 500 2,074.33 +7.78 +0.38%

NASDAQ Composite 4,774.47 +18.66 +0.39%

Dow Jones 17,912.62 +33.07 +0.18%

(pare/closed(GMT +2)/change, %)

EUR/USD $1,2309 -0,59%

GBP/USD $1,5685 +0,32%

USD/CHF Chf0,9774 +0,56%

USD/JPY Y119,78 +0,48%

EUR/JPY Y147,46 -0,10%

GBP/JPY Y187,86 +0,79%

AUD/USD $0,8403 -0,48%

NZD/USD $0,7758 -0,58%

USD/CAD C$1,1363 -0,37%