(raw materials / closing price /% change)

Gold $1,351.6 +13.60 +1.02%

ICE Brent Crude Oil $108.42 +0.66 +0.61%

NYMEX Crude Oil $101.96 +0.84 +0.83%

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

Nikkei 15,134.75 +237.12 +1.59%    

Hang Seng 22,702.97 +123.19 +0.55%

Shanghai Composite 2,059.58 +6.49 +0.32%

S&P 1,877.03 +3.22 +0.17%    

NASDAQ 4,352.13 -5.85 -0.13%

Dow 16,421.89 +61.71 +0.38%    

FTSE 6,788.49 +13.07 +0.19%

CAC 4,417.04 +25.79 +0.59%

DAX 9,542.87 +0.85 +0.01%

EUR/USD $1,3859 +0,92%

GBP/USD $1,6739 +0,11%

USD/CHF Chf0,8803 -0,75%

USD/JPY Y103,06 +0,75%

EUR/JPY Y142,84 +1,66%

GBP/JPY Y172,49 +0,86%

AUD/USD $0,9088 +1,16%

NZD/USD $0,8474 +0,71%

USD/CAD C$1,0983 -0,40%

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

05:00 Japan Leading Economic Index January 111.7 112.4     

05:00 Japan Coincident Index January 111.7 114.6     

06:30 Switzerland Unemployment Rate February 3.2% 3.2%     

08:00 Switzerland Foreign Currency Reserves February 437.7         

08:15 Switzerland Consumer Price Index (MoM) February -0.3% +0.4%     

08:15 Switzerland Consumer Price Index (YoY) February +0.1% +0.1%     

09:30 United Kingdom Consumer Inflation Expectations Quarter I +3.6%         

11:00 Germany Industrial Production s.a. (MoM) January -0.6% +0.7%     

11:00 Germany Industrial Production (YoY) January +2.6%         

13:30 Canada Trade balance, billions January -1.66 -1.6     

13:30 Canada Unemployment rate February 7.0% 7.0%     

13:30 Canada Employment February 29.4 16.9     

13:30 U.S. Average workweek February 34.4 34.4     

13:30 U.S. International Trade, bln January -38.7 -39.1     

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

13:30 U.S. Unemployment Rate February 6.6% 6.6%     

13:30 U.S. Nonfarm Payrolls February 113 151     

17:00 U.S. FOMC Member Dudley Speak

The euro rose sharply after the European Central Bank left interest rates unchanged , despite the extremely low inflation in the eurozone. This suggests that bank managers agree that pricing pressure will gradually increase without any serious further assistance from the central bank. ECB left its key interest rate at which it provides loans to banks under its regular lending facility , at a record low of 0.25% , where it had been since November . Day interest rate on deposits by banks at the ECB , also remained unchanged at zero.

The European Central Bank raised its forecast for GDP growth in the 18 countries of the euro zone in 2014 to 1.2 % from December's 1.1%. At a press conference following the last meeting of the Bank said ECB President Mario Draghi . At the same time, the ECB cut its inflation estimate for the current year from 1.1% to 1%. As the head of the ECB , it is connected to , including the expected decline in oil prices in the whole euro exchange rate stability . " Eurozone a long period of low inflation, the gain will be gradual. But the decline in energy prices will support the real incomes of the population ," - said M.Dragi .

In 2015, the eurozone's GDP will grow by 1.5 %, while inflation accelerated to 1.3% , as expected in December. In addition , the ECB unveiled forecasts for 2016 and thus for the first time extended the forecast horizon of three years: economic growth in 2016 will be 1.8 %, inflation - 1.5% on average per year , but by the 4th quarter of the price increase will increase to 1.7% .

According M.Dragi , the ECB intends to keep key interest rates at or below the current for a long time . ECB President confirmed that his earlier assessment of the situation in the economy remain unchanged : the eurozone waiting a long period of low inflation and inflation in the coming months in the region will remain near current levels. It will gradually rise over the next period of 2.5 years.

ECB chief said that " recovery in the eurozone continue slow pace " and geopolitical risks may adversely affect the growth rate .

Macroeconomic data for the last four weeks have improved, but " continue to confirm the need to maintain expansionary policies of the ECB ," the chairman of the central bank.

In his speech M.Dragi once again drew attention to the fact that the ECB is not targetiruet euro exchange rate , although this is crucial for economic growth and inflation in the euro area .

Pound rose after the announcement of the Bank of England of its rate decision and asset purchase program . Note that the Bank of England today did not bring any surprises , once again leaving the rate at a record low 0.5%. Last time the Central Bank changed the level of rates March 5, 2009 , lowering it by 0.5% to 0.5%. MPC also decided to keep the size of the asset purchase program at £ 375 billion, the Central Bank said that keep rates at the current level as long as the unemployment rate / p Britain will not fall to the level of 7% , which will not happen until 2016 . Experts point out that it is clear that the authorities want to keep policy accommodative as long as possible , to ensure the stability of the economic recovery . However, the picture on the labor market combined with data on growth suggest that the Bank is unlikely to convince markets that a rate increase .

Yen approached the two-month low against the dollar after the Japanese government announced that the state pension fund (GPIF), is the largest in the world, no longer need to focus on investment in domestic bonds , taking into account the acceleration of inflation in the country. The report , prepared by the group , says that GPIF should seek opportunities for investment that could bring him an annual income of 1.7% plus the cost of increase of salaries of employees. An additional factor in the decline in the yen , a decrease of interest in safe-haven currency on the basis of some easing of tensions around Ukraine.

European stocks were little changed, paring earlier gains, after the European Central Bank kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged.

The Stoxx Europe 600 Index rose less than 0.1 percent to 337.28 at the close of trading in London after earlier gaining as much as 0.6 percent. The gauge, which fell 0.2 percent this week amid tension over Ukraine, is 0.3 percent away from a six-year high reached Feb. 25.

The ECB kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged at a record low 0.25 percent after better-than-forecast economic data eased the immediate need to cut interest rates. The Bank of England maintained its rate at an all-time low of 0.5 percent and its bond-purchase plan at 375 billion pounds.

A U.S. Labor Department report showed initial jobless claims fell by 26,000 to 323,000 in the week ended March 1. That was fewer than economists had forecast. Factory orders dropped 0.7 percent in January, missing estimates, after declining a revised 2 percent in December, according to separate data.

Benchmark indexes rose in 14 of the 18 markets in western Europe. The U.K.’s FTSE 100 gained 0.2 percent and France’s CAC 40 advanced 0.6 percent. The Swiss Market Index added 0.3 percent, while Germany’s DAX was little changed.

Aggreko climbed 3.5 percent to 1,628 pence. The world’s largest supplier of mobile-power generators said it is giving shareholders 200 million pounds in addition to its ordinary dividend. The company’s 2013 pretax profit of 338 million pounds beat the average analyst estimate for 333 million pounds.

Bouygues jumped 6.6 percent to 30.67 euros. The construction and telecommunications group offered 10.5 billion euros ($14.4 billion) in cash for SFR, a deal that would potentially create a phone carrier rivaling Orange SA. Altice SA, which put in a separate bid, values SFR at about $20 billion through a mixture of debt, cash and equity, people familiar with the matter said.

IMI Plc lost 4.3 percent to 1,481 pence. The engineering company forecast that ">Balfour Beatty Plc sank 7.4 percent to 297.6 pence for the biggest decline since April. Britain’s biggest construction company posted 2013 sales of 8.75 billion pounds, missing the 9.21 billion pounds that analysts had estimated.

West Texas Intermediate crude, which fell the most in two months yesterday, held above $101 as the government reported that fewer Americans than projected filed applications for unemployment benefits last week.

Prices were little changed after dropping as much as 0.9 percent. Jobless claims declined to the least since November, the Labor Department said. The euro strengthened to a two-month high against the dollar as European Central Bank President Mario Draghi said inflation is expected to rise gradually. Futures are down almost $4 from a five-month high of $105.22 on March 3.

Applications for unemployment benefits decreased 26,000 last week to 323,000, fewer than any economist forecast in a Bloomberg survey. The four-week average, a less-volatile measure than the weekly figure, was 336,500 from 338,500 in the prior period.

The U.S., the world’s biggest oil-consuming country, will use 18.9 million barrels a day of oil this year, according to the Energy Information Administration.

The euro jumped as much as 0.9 percent to $1.3857, the highest level since Dec. 27. A stronger euro and weaker dollar increase oil’s investment appeal. The ECB left its benchmark interest rate at 0.25 percent at its monthly meeting today in Frankfurt.

WTI dropped $3.47 in the previous two days. It reached the highest level since September on March 3 as tension between Russia, the world’s biggest energy exporter, and Ukraine spurred concern that global supplies would be disrupted.

Russia produced 9.9 million barrels a day of crude in 2012 and exported about 5 million, according to the EIA, the Energy Department’s statistical arm

WTI for April delivery dropped 17 cents to $101.28 a barrel at 11:08 a.m. on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The volume of all futures traded was about 27 percent more than the 100-day average.

Brent for April settlement was down 4 cents at $107.72 a barrel on the London-based ICE Futures Europe exchange. Volume was 27 percent above the 100-day average. The European benchmark crude was at a premium of $6.44 to WTI. The spread ended yesterday’s session at $6.31.

Gold prices jumped a sharp growth in the euro against major currencies after a meeting of the ECB.

The European Central Bank on Thursday left interest rates unchanged , despite the extremely low inflation in the eurozone. This suggests that bank managers agree that pricing pressure will gradually increase without any serious further assistance from the central bank.

The European Central Bank raised its forecast for GDP growth in the 18 countries of the euro zone in 2014 to 1.2 % from December's 1.1%. At a press conference following the meeting held on Thursday, the bank said ECB President Mario Draghi .

At the same time, the ECB cut its inflation estimate for the current year from 1.1% to 1%. As the head of the ECB , it is connected to , including the expected decline in oil prices in the whole euro exchange rate stability .

" Eurozone a long period of low inflation, the gain will be gradual. But the decline in energy prices will support the real incomes of the population ," - said M.Dragi .

In 2015, the eurozone's GDP will grow by 1.5 %, while inflation accelerated to 1.3% , as expected in December. In addition , the ECB unveiled forecasts for 2016 and thus for the first time extended the forecast horizon of three years: economic growth in 2016 will be 1.8 %, inflation - 1.5% on average per year , but by the 4th quarter of the price increase will increase to 1.7% .

According M.Dragi , the ECB intends to keep key interest rates at or below the current for a long time .

Furthermore, the pressure on the U.S. dollar have data showing that the number of new orders fell in January, more than expected , along with a reduction in supply , which is another sign of the recent slowdown of industrial activity .

Ministry of Commerce announced that new orders for manufactured goods fell 0.7 percent in January. The figure for December was revised upward - to the level of -2 per cent, compared with 1.5 percent previously reported . Economists forecast that the number of new orders decreased by 0.4 percent.

The cost of the April gold futures on the COMEX today rose to $ 1347.40 per ounce.

Statistics Canada released labour productivity data of Canadian businesses on Friday. The labour productivity of Canadian businesses dropped by 0.1% in the fourth quarter, missing expectations for a 0.2% increase, after a 0.2% rise in the third quarter. The third quarter's figure was revised up from a 0.1% gain.

For 2014 as a whole, the labour productivity in Canadian businesses climbed by 2.5%, the largest annual increase since 2005.

Stocks rose while the yen weakened and bunds dropped as the European Central Bank left interest rates at a record low. 

Global markets:

Nikkei 15,134.75 +237.12 +1.59%

Hang Seng 22,702.97 +123.19 +0.55%

Shanghai Composite 2,059.58 +6.49 +0.32%

FTSE 6,790.51 +15.09 +0.22%

CAC 4,413.81 +22.56 +0.51%

DAX 9,540.86 -1.16 -0.01%

Crude oil $100.89 (-0.55%)

Gold $1335.70 (-0.34%).

USD/JPY Y101.50-60, Y101.70, Y101.85-95, Y102.00, Y102.20-30, Y102.50-55, Y102.60, Y102.80, Y103.00, Y103.50-55

EUR/USD $1.3600, $1.3605, $1.3620, $1.3635, $1.3640, $1.3650-55, $1.3660, $1.3675, $1.3700, $1.3750, $1.3770, $1.3815

GBP/USD $1.6700, $1.6715

EUR/GBP stg0.8200, stg0.8245

AUD/USD $0.8850, $0.8930, $0.8950, $0.9000, $0.9100, $0.9150

AUD/JPY Y92.60

USD/CAD C$1.1000, C$1.1025, C$1.1065-75, C$1.1100, C$1.1125, C$1.1150

CAD/JPY Y93.00

Data

00:00 U.S. FOMC Member Richard Fisher Speaks

00:30 Australia Retail sales (MoM) January +0.5% +0.5% +1.2%

00:30 Australia Retail Sales Y/Y January +5.7% +6.2%

00:30 Australia Trade Balance January 0.47 0.11 1.43

01:15 Canada Gov Council Member Macklem Speaks

08:00 United Kingdom Halifax house price index February +1.1% +0.6% +2.4%

08:00 United Kingdom Halifax house price index 3m Y/Y February +7.3% +7.9%

11:00 Germany Factory Orders s.a. (MoM) January -0.5% +1.1% +1.2%

11:00 Germany Factory Orders n.s.a. (YoY) January +6.0% +8.1% +7.1%

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 0.25% 0.25% 0.25%

The euro exchange rate against the dollar has increased markedly , which was associated with the release of positive data on Germany and the ECB's decision to leave rates unchanged. Ministry of Economy of Germany stated that the volume of orders in the manufacturing sector in January rose more sharply than expected, mainly due to strong domestic demand , as well as orders from countries outside the euro area. This suggests that industrial production in Europe's largest economy should continue to grow . According to the report , the orders in the manufacturing sector in Germany to a seasonally adjusted in January increased by 1.2% compared with December . Economists orders were to grow by 1.1 % compared with the previous month . It was also reported that domestic demand rose by 1.6 % m / m in January , while export orders increased by 1 percent. Orders outside the euro area rose by 7.2 %, while inside the unit fell 8.8 % after rising 6.9% in the previous month

Add that may have a significant impact ECB President Mario Draghi , which is scheduled for 15:30 GMT.

Pound fell to session low against the dollar, despite the significant growth earlier that allowed to establish a new high . Such a significant swing pair was noted after the announcement of the Bank of England of its rate decision and asset purchase program . Note that the Bank of England today did not bring any surprises , once again leaving the rate at a record low 0.5%. Last time the Central Bank changed the level of rates March 5, 2009 , lowering it by 0.5% to 0.5%. MPC also decided to keep the size of the asset purchase program at £ 375 billion, the Central Bank said that keep rates at the current level as long as the unemployment rate / p Britain will not fall to the level of 7% , which will not happen until 2016 . Experts point out that it is clear that the authorities want to keep policy accommodative as long as possible , to ensure the stability of the economic recovery. However, the picture on the labor market combined with data on growth suggest that the Bank is unlikely to convince markets that a rate increase .

Little impact on the pound had previously presented data which showed that house prices rose by 2.4 percent in February, compared with an increase of 1.1 percent in January , which significantly exceeded the average forecast experts at 0.6 percent. We also add that in the last three months ( February ), housing prices were 7.9 percent higher than a year earlier, compared with 7.2 percent in the previous three-month period ( January ) . In Halifax reported that the improvement of the economic situation , the fall in unemployment and an increase in confidence helped boost demand , but the pressure on household finances and slowing inflation restrained growth in housing prices .

The yen touched a ten -month low against the dollar after the Japanese government announced that the state pension fund (GPIF), is the largest in the world, no longer need to focus on investment in domestic bonds , taking into account the acceleration of inflation in the country. The report , prepared by the group , says that GPIF should seek opportunities for investment that could bring him an annual income of 1.7% plus the cost of increase of salaries of employees. An additional factor in the decline in the yen , a decrease of interest in safe-haven currency on the basis of some easing of tensions around Ukraine.

EUR / USD: during the European session, the pair rose to $ 1.3774 , and then retreated slightly

GBP / USD: during the European session, the pair rose to $ 1.6752 , but immediately fell to $ 1.6695

USD / JPY: during the European session, the pair rose to Y102.82

At 13:30 GMT will be held monthly press conference of the ECB. At 13:30 GMT , Canada announces the change of volume of building permits issued in January , and the United States announced the change in the level of labor productivity in the non-manufacturing sector for the 4th quarter . At 15:00 GMT , Canada will release the Ivey PMI index from February . At 15:00 GMT the United States will declare to the change in production orders for January.

EUR/USD

Offers $1.3825, $1.3790/800, $1.3755/75, $1.3749, $1.3738

Bids $1.3715/05, $1.3700, $1.3694, $1.3686, $1.3661-59, $1.3643

GBP/USD

Offers $1.6823, $1.6795/800, $1.6770/80, $1.6769, $1.6739-41, $1.6729

Bids $1.6702, $1.6700/695, $1.6662, $1.6650/40, $1.6617, $1.6605/00

AUD/USD

Offers $0.9150, $0.9120, $0.9100, $0.9081, $0.9057

Bids $0.9010/00, $0.8991, $0.8950, $0.8920, $0.8916/10

EUR/JPY

Offers Y142.07, Y142.00, Y141.80, Y141.50, Y141.15/20

Bids Y140.60/50, Y140.00, Y139.88, Y139.55/50, Y139.20

USD/JPY

Offers Y103.65, Y103.50, Y103.10, Y102.90/00, Y102.80/85

Bids Y102.20, Y102.00, Y101.80, Y101.50, Y101.20

EUR/GBP

Offers stg0.8333, stg0.8300/05, stg0.8286, stg0.8245/55, stg0.8220

Bids stg0.8204, stg0.8190-80, stg0.8160, stg0.8150

European stocks rose moderately , reaching a six-year high, as investors are awaiting a decision on the interest rate of the Bank of England and European Central Bank. Asian stocks and futures on U.S. stock indexes rose .

It is expected that the Bank of England will leave monetary policy settings unchanged. According to the Bank of England inflation report, the Central Bank is going to keep rates at a record - low of 0.5 % at least for another year , even if the unemployment rate falls to 7% threshold - that are expected to occur in Q1 2014 . Bank of England pointed out that the British economy will grow even before the Bank to raise rates . But it is worth noting an increase will occur gradually and not to such a high level , which was celebrated before the crisis.

With regard to the ECB meeting , many experts predict that it also does not bring with it a rise in interest rates. Nevertheless , some believe that during the meeting may discuss some non-standard measures of monetary policy. Recall that last month the ECB head Mario Draghi has once again confirmed its willingness to act if the situation with inflation in the region will continue to deteriorate. ECB President stressed that the Central Bank meeting in March will be crucial to determine additional incentives in support of economic activity in the euro area .

Stoxx Europe 600 index rose 0.4 percent, and is now close to its highest level since January 2008 .

Aggreko cost rose by 8 per cent . The world's largest provider of mobile generators said that will provide £ 200 million to shareholders in addition to the dividend on ordinary shares. It also became known that pre-tax profit in 2013 amounted to 338 million pounds, compared with forecasts at 333 million pounds.

Bouygues shares rose 9 percent . Construction and telecommunications group proposed 10.5 billion euros ($ 14.4 billion ) in cash for SFR. This agreement has the potential to enable a company to compete with Orange SA.

The cost of IMI Plc fell 6.3 percent . Engineering company predicts that the ">Paper Balfour Beatty Plc fell 8.5 percent , showing the biggest decline since April. The biggest UK construction company said that by the end of 2013 the volume of sales was at 8.75 billion pounds, compared with the forecasts in the amount of 9.21 billion pounds .

At the current moment

FTSE 100 6,786.91 +11.49 +0.17%

CAC 40 4,416.85 +25.60 +0.58 %

DAX 9,564.42 +22.40 +0.23%

USD/JPY Y101.50-60, Y101.70, Y101.85-95, Y102.00, Y102.20-30, Y102.50-55, Y102.60, Y102.80, Y103.00, Y103.50-55

EUR/USD $1.3600, $1.3605, $1.3620, $1.3635, $1.3640, $1.3650-55, $1.3660, $1.3675, $1.3700, $1.3750, $1.3770, $1.3815

GBP/USD $1.6700, $1.6715

EUR/GBP stg0.8200, stg0.8245

AUD/USD $0.8850, $0.8930, $0.8950, $0.9000, $0.9100, $0.9150

AUD/JPY Y92.60

USD/CAD C$1.1000, C$1.1025, C$1.1065-75, C$1.1100, C$1.1125, C$1.1150

CAD/JPY Y93.00

Asian stocks advanced, with the regional benchmark heading for its highest close in six weeks, as telecommunications companies led gains. Japanese shares rose after the yen weakened and an advisory committee said the world’s largest pension fund doesn’t need a domestic-bond focus.

Nikkei 225 15,134.75 +237.12 +1.59%

S&P/ASX 200 5,445.89 -0.34 -0.01%

Shanghai Composite 2,059.58 +6.49 +0.32%

SoftBank Corp. jumped 4.8 percent in Tokyo as the mobile carrier contributed the most to the regional benchmark’s advance.

Myer Holdings Ltd., Australia’s largest department-store operator, added 1.5 percent in Sydney after the nation’s retail sales in January climbed the most in a year.

Tencent Holdings Ltd., the world’s best-performing major technology stock in the past five years, increased 2 percent in Hong Kong to a record close.

00:30 Australia Retail sales (MoM) January +0.5% +0.5% +1.2%

00:30 Australia Retail Sales Y/Y January +5.7% +6.2%

00:30 Australia Trade Balance January 0.47 0.11 1.43

The yen touched a one-week low against the dollar after a Japanese government advisory panel said the world’s largest pension fund no longer needs to focus on domestic bonds given quickening inflation.

Australia’s dollar jumped by the most in 1 1/2 weeks after data showed retail sales climbed three times faster than economists estimated and the trade surplus was the widest in more than two years. Exports from the South Pacific nation exceeded imports by A$1.43 billion ($1.3 billion) in January, the most since August 2011, compared with the A$100 million surplus forecast by economists, a Bureau of Statistics report showed. Retail sales increased 1.2 percent.

The dollar held losses against a basket of major peers after a private report showed hiring rose less than forecast, adding to concern harsh winter weather hampered economic growth. U.S. companies added 139,000 workers in February following a revised 127,000 increase the prior month that was less than initially reported, according to the ADP Research Institute. The median estimate of economists surveyed by Bloomberg called for a 155,000 gain.

Labor Department figures due tomorrow will show U.S. payrolls rose 146,000 last month, compared with a 113,000 advance in January, economists forecast. The unemployment rate is projected to remain at 6.6 percent, the lowest level since October 2008.

EUR / USD: during the Asian session the pair fell to $ 1.3720

GBP / USD: during the Asian session, the pair traded in the range of $ 1.6705-25

USD / JPY: during the Asian session, the pair rose to Y102.75

There is a full calendar on both sides of the Atlantic Thursday, with the central bank policy decisions from both the ECB and BOE to the fore. The European calendar kicks off at 0630GMT, with the release of the French fourth quarter unemployment data. At 1100GMT, the German January manufacturing data will be released. At 1245GMT, the ECB will publish their March policy decision, to be followed at 1330GMT by President Mario Draghi's monthly press conference. The ECB is likely to stand pat following inline inflation data in recent days and an easing of tensions in the Ukraine. Early UK data is expected at 0800GMT, with the release of the February Halifax house price index, likely to show continued strength in the housing market. At 0900GMT, the SMMT UK February new car sales numbers will be published. The first of the day's central bank policy decisions comes at 1200GMT, when the Bank of England's March Monetary Policy Decision crosses the wire. Across the Atlantic, the US calendar gets underway at 1230GMT, when the February Challenger Layoffs data will be released. At 1330GMT, jobless claims data for the March 1 week and the Q4 non-farm productivity numbers will be released. The level of initial jobless claims is expected to fall by 13,000 to 335,000 in the March 1 week after rising by 14,000 in the previous week. Fourth quarter productivity is expected to be revised down to a 2.0% rate of growth from the +3.2% preliminary estimate, due in large part to an expected downward adjustment to the output component. New York Federal Reserve Bank President William Dudley will hold a breakfast conversation in New York, also starting at 1330GMT. At 1430GMT, Treasury Secretary Jack Lew testifies before the House Ways & Means Committee on the FY2015 budget. The US January Factory Orders numbers will cross the wires at 1500GMT.