(raw materials / closing price /% change)

Gold $1,341.4 +6.70 +0.50%

ICE Brent Crude Oil $107.84 -1.16 -0.06%

NYMEX Crude Oil $100.91 -1.45 -1.42%

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

Nikkei 15,120.14 -153.93 -1.01%

Hang Seng 22,264.93 -395.56 -1.75%

Shanghai Composite 1,999.06 -58.84 -2.86%

S&P 1,877.17 -0.87 -0.05%

NASDAQ 4,334.45 -1.77 -0.04%

Dow 16,418.68 -34.04 -0.21%   

FTSE  6,689.45 -23.22 -0.35%    

CAC 4,370.84 +4.42 +0.10%    

DAX 9,265.5 -85.25 -0.91%

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

EUR/USD $1,3878 +0,05%

GBP/USD $1,6644 -0,47%

USD/CHF Chf0,8775 0,00%

USD/JPY Y103,28 -0,02%

EUR/JPY Y143,32 +0,02%

GBP/JPY Y171,89 -0,49%

AUD/USD $0,9020 -0,52%

NZD/USD $0,8471 +0,13%

USD/CAD C$1,1105 +0,15%

00:01 United Kingdom BRC Retail Sales Monitor y/y February +3.9% +1.6%     

00:30 Australia National Australia Bank's Business Confidence February 8         

03:00 Japan BoJ Interest Rate Decision 0.10% 0.10%     

03:00 Japan Bank of Japan Monetary Base Target 270 270     

03:00 Japan BoJ Monetary Policy Statement                 

06:00 Japan Prelim Machine Tool Orders, y/y February +40.3%         

07:00 Germany Current Account January 23.5 13.0     

07:00 Germany Trade Balance January 18.5 19.3     

07:30 Japan BOJ Press Conference                 

08:00 China New Loans February 1320         

09:30 United Kingdom Industrial Production (MoM) January +0.4% +0.3%     

09:30 United Kingdom Industrial Production (YoY) January +1.8% +3.0%     

09:30 United Kingdom Manufacturing Production (MoM) January +0.3% +0.3%     

09:30 United Kingdom Manufacturing Production (YoY) January +1.5% +3.3%     

09:30 United Kingdom Inflation Report Hearings Quarter IV             

10:00 Eurozone ECOFIN Meetings             

14:00 U.S. Wholesale Inventories January +0.3% +0.5%     

14:00 U.S. JOLTs Job Openings January 3990 4030     

15:00 United Kingdom NIESR GDP Estimate February +0.8%         

20:30 U.S. API Crude Oil Inventories March +1.2         

23:30 Australia Westpac Consumer Confidence March -3.0%         

23:50 Japan BSI Manufacturing Index Quarter I 9.7 11.3     

23:50 Japan Tertiary Industry Index February -0.4% +0.7%

The euro exchange rate is trading in a narrow range against the U.S. dollar in the absence of meaningful statistics . Slight pressure on the euro was data from France , which showed that industrial production in France fell in January, contrary to the forecast of economists expect a noticeable increase . Industrial production fell by 0.1 percent year on year in January , succeeding increase by 0.3 per cent and 1.5 per cent in December and November respectively. Economists had expected a 1.3 percent expansion in January . On a monthly measurement of industrial production fell by 0.2 percent in the beginning of the year , after falling 0.6 percent in December . Expectations were at a gain of 0.6 percent. Insee also noted that in January, production in the manufacturing sector grew at a faster annual rate of 1.4 percent than the 0.5 percent in December.

Little influenced by data from Sentix, which showed that investor confidence in the eurozone reached its highest level since April 2011 , supported by notable progress in the assessment of the current situation. The composite index of confidence rose to 13.9 in March from 13.3 in February , while , according to forecasts , the index had to grow to 14.3 . Nevertheless , it was the highest since April 2011 . Assessment of the current situation rose to 4.8 , the highest level since July 2011 , from 1.8 in February. Nevertheless , expectations fell to 23.5 in March from 25.5 in February.

Pound declined significantly against the dollar , reaching lows on February 27. Couple in Europe was under intense pressure and broke above $ 1.6700 , absorbing foot and accelerating the pace of decline . The decrease was due to technical factors ( correction after Friday's growth ) , as well as statements of the representative of the Bank of England Bean . Note that the deputy. the Bank of England , Charlie Bean said today that interest rates will remain at the same levels for a longer time if the pound continues to grow .

"If sterling stronger, it is potentially weaken inflation as a negative impact on import prices , so achieving the target level of inflation will be rather medium term, which in turn means that monetary policy will remain accommodative for a longer period of time than expected, " - says Bean .

CB representative added that the recovery of the British economy may face obstacles in the face of the eurozone's problems or stress in the emerging markets , as well as in the face of bubbles forming in the domestic housing market.

The Canadian dollar was trading lower against the U.S. dollar , but was able to recover most of the previously lost positions . Growth helped Canadian data , which showed that the number of new housing increased tabs on a monthly basis by an average of 192,094 units in February. This was stated by the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). The results, which followed three months of decline, were slightly higher than analysts had expected 190,000 new bookmarks . In a research note expert CIBC World Markets said the results were in February according to the range , which saw last summer and early fall , but less than the rate of more than 220,000 units, which are seen in mid-2012. CMHC reported that the number of new housing urban bookmarks increased to 175,584 units. Bookmark urban apartment jumped 13.3% to 116,458 units, while single-family detached urban Bookmarks fell 2.4 % to 59,126 units.

European stocks declined, following their first weekly drop since January, on rising tensions over Ukraine’s Crimea region and after an unexpected slump in Chinese exports triggered a selloff in mining stocks.

The Stoxx Europe 600 Index slipped 0.5 percent. The benchmark gauge slid 1.5 percent last week as company earnings disappointed and concern grew that the standoff between Russia and Ukraine would escalate.

In China, overseas shipments unexpectedly dropped 18.1 percent in February from a year earlier, according to customs data on March 8. The median estimate of analysts called for an increase of 7.5 percent.

National benchmark indexes dropped in 12 of the 18 western-European markets today.

FTSE 100 6,689.45 -23.22 -0.35% CAC 40 4,370.84 +4.42 +0.10% DAX 9,265.5 -85.25 -0.91%

Vodafone Group Plc fell 3.4 percent to 230.5 pence. Expansion said the phone company could offer as much as 7.5 billion euros for Grupo Corporativo Ono SA. The Spanish newspaper cited unnamed sources familiar with the matter. The British company on March 5 raised its bid to about 7 billion euros in a meeting with key Ono shareholders Providence Equity Partners and Thomas H. Lee Partners, two people familiar with the matter said.

Aryzta AG declined 3.5 percent to 71.40 Swiss francs. The supplier of bakery products said its first-half ">Iliad jumped 11 percent to 210 euros. Bouygues said it is in exclusive talks to sell part of its network and wireless spectrum to the Free operator for as much as 1.8 billion euros ($2.5 billion). Bouygues climbed 8.5 percent to 32.64 euros.

Bouygues, the construction and telecommunications company seeking to merge its mobile-phone assets with Vivendi SA’s SFR, said the negotiations will help address concerns of the French Competition Authority. Vivendi added 0.1 percent to 20.34 euros.

Rolls-Royce climbed 1.3 percent to 1,039 pence. Daimler is selling its holding in Rolls-Royce Power Systems under a put option agreed with the maker of commercial-jet engines when the venture was established three years ago. The stake is valued at 1.9 billion pounds ($3.2 billion). Daimler fell 1.2 percent to 66.66 euros.

Hochtief AG rose 2.4 percent to 69.99 euros. Germany’s largest builder offered A$1.16 billion ($1.05 billion) to raise its stake in Leighton Holdings Ltd. to as much as 74 percent from 59 percent. Hochtief said the deal was a strategic investment in Australia’s largest builder and it may consider a full takeover. Leighton surged 11 percent to A$23.09.

Oil prices declined moderately , helped by data from China , who reported an unexpected decline in exports , which, in turn, has increased concerns about slowing economic growth in the country 's second-largest oil consumer .

Futures fell 1.7 percent after it was announced that China's overseas delivery in February fell by 18.1 percent compared with a year earlier , showing the biggest decline since August 2009 . Many experts predicted an increase in exports by 7.5 percent . Imports grew by 10.1 %, compared with forecasts of an increase of 8%. According to customs data, the volume of imported oil to China in February was 23.05 tons, 18.1% below the January figure. A significant reduction in Chinese exports has led to a deficit of $ 22.98 billion last month, compared with a surplus of $ 31.86 in January. Analysts had expected a surplus of $ 13.2 billion in February.

A separate report showed that consumer price inflation in China increased by 2% in February last year , in line with expectations , while producer price inflation fell by 2 %, compared with forecasts for a 1.9 % drop .

Price dynamics also affects the situation in Libya . Note that Parliament ordered to send troops to Libya to release oil from ports seized their militias. Military operation to accomplish this task will begin within weeks . March 8 militants , who have taken control of one of the ports of Libya , said he started to trade oil . In the port of Essaouira Cider tanker came under the flag of North Korea , which began in the Gulf oil. Libyan authorities have threatened to destroy the aircraft using the vessel if it tries to leave the port .

April futures price for U.S. light crude oil WTI (Light Sweet Crude Oil) fell to $ 101.19 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX).

April futures price for North Sea Brent crude oil mixture fell 61 cents to $ 108.04 a barrel on the London exchange ICE Futures Europe.

Gold prices rose slightly today , which was associated with strong U.S. employment data , which was presented at last week's sharp fall in Chinese exports , as well as the persistence of tensions in Ukraine.

Recall that the precious metal fell 0.8 percent on Friday after data showed that the U.S. had created 175,000 jobs , which was higher than expected , and increased chance to continue to reduce QE by the Federal Reserve System.

Meanwhile, experts say that current concerns about the confrontation in Ukraine are one factor in the growth of metal prices .

Investors in the global markets pessimistic about the data published recently in the second largest economy in the world . Report released at the weekend showed a sharp drop in exports, while other data showed the weakening of the manufacturing sector and a sharp slowdown in inflation. Anxiety can also be observed in the financial sector after the country on Friday was a first corporate default.

Also note that hedge funds and money managers increased their "bullish" position in gold futures and options in the fourth consecutive week , as geopolitical tensions increased speculative interest in gold, and contributed to the rise in prices to their highest level in more than a year .

The data also showed that the gold reserves in the SPDR Gold Trust rose 1.5 tonnes on Friday , recording their first inflow since February 25.

The cost of the April gold futures on the COMEX today rose to $ 1342.70 per ounce.

USD/JPY Y102.05, Y102.05, Y102.20, Y102.50, Y103.00, Y103.50, Y104.00

EUR/JPY Y143.00

EUR/USD $1.3700, $1.3750, $1.3800, $1.3840, $1.3850, $1.3900

GBP/USD $1.6675

EUR/GBP stg0.8175, stg0.8180, stg0.8350

EUR/CHF Chf1.2205, Chf1.2210

AUD/USD $0.8925/30, $0.8940, $0.9000, $0.9080, $0.9105, $0.9110, $0.9130, $0.9150, $0.9160, $0.9180

USD/CAD Cad1.0900, Cad1.100, Cad1.1050, Cad1.1100, Cad1.1150, Cad1.1200

NZD/USD $0.8360, $0.8370, $0.8415, $0.8430, $0.8440

U.S. stock futures slipped as investors weighed a slowdown in Chinese exports for clues about the strength of the global economy.

Global markets:

Nikkei 15,120.14 -153.93 -1.01%

Hang Seng 22,264.93 -395.56 -1.75%

Shanghai Composite 1,999.06 -58.84 -2.86%

FTSE 6,711.51 -1.16 -0.02%

CAC 4,391.82 +25.40 +0.58%

DAX 9,326.81 -23.94 -0.26%

Crude oil $101.32 (-1.23%)

Gold $1338.60 (+0.03%).

EUR/USD

Offers $1.4000, $1.3950, $1.3920/25, $1.3900-15

Bids $1.3855/50, $1.3835/30, $1.3812-787, $1.3760/50, $1.3710/00

GBP/USD

Offers $1.6790/800, $1.6770, $1.6745/55, $1.6700/10

Bids  $1.6650/40, $1.6605/00, $1.6585/80, $1.6555/50

AUD/USD

Offers $0.9200, $0.9150, $0.9100

Bids  $0.9005/00, $0.8950, $0.8910/00

EUR/JPY

Offers Y145.00, Y144.80, Y144.50, Y144.00, Y143.75/80

Bids Y142.90/80, Y142.20, Y142.00, Y141.55/50

USD/JPY

Offers Y104.00, Y103.50

Bids  Y102.50, Y102.20

EUR/GBP

Offers stg0.8400/05, stg0.8370/80

Bids stg0.8280/75, stg0.8200, stg0.8190-80, stg0.8150

European stocks were little changed after their first weekly drop since January, as heightened deal activity outweighed data showing that Chinese exports unexpectedly slumped. U.S. stock-index futures were little changed and Asian shares fell.

The Stoxx Europe 600 Index rose 0.1 percent to 333.53 at 10:09 a.m. in London. The benchmark gauge slid 1.5 percent last week as company earnings disappointed and concern grew that the standoff between Russia and Ukraine would escalate. Standard & Poor’s 500 Index futures slipped 0.1 percent, while the MSCI Asia Pacific Index lost 1.1 percent.

Overseas shipments in China unexpectedly dropped 18.1 percent in February from a year earlier, according to customs data on March 8. The median estimate of analysts surveyed by Bloomberg called for an increase of 7.5 percent. Producer prices fell 2 percent, the most since July, a statistics bureau report showed yesterday, extending the longest decline since 1999.

Iliad jumped 13 percent to 212.70 euros. Bouygues said it is in exclusive talks to sell part of its network and wireless spectrum to the operator of the Free brand for as much as 1.8 billion euros ($2.5 billion). Bouygues climbed 9.7 percent to 33.02 euros.

Bouygues, the construction and telecommunications company seeking to merge its mobile-phone assets with Vivendi SA’s SFR, said the negotiations will help address antitrust concerns of the French Competition Authority. Vivendi advanced 1.9 percent to 20.71 euros.

Rolls-Royce climbed 2.2 percent to 1,049 pence. Daimler is selling its holding in Rolls-Royce Power Systems under a put option agreed with the maker of commercial-jet engines when the venture was established three years ago. The stake is valued at 1.9 billion pounds ($3.2 billion).

Hochtief AG rose 2.6 percent to 70.08 euros. Germany’s largest builder offered A$1.16 billion ($1.05 billion) to raise its stake in Leighton Holdings Ltd. to as much as 74 percent from 59 percent. Hochtief said the deal was a strategic investment in Australia’s largest builder and it may consider a full takeover.

FTSE 100 6,735.13 +22.46 +0.33%

CAC 40 4,398.27 +31.85 +0.73%

DAX 9,342.95 -7.80 -0.08%

USD/JPY Y102.05, Y102.05, Y102.20, Y102.50, Y103.00, Y103.50, Y104.00

EUR/JPY Y143.00

EUR/USD $1.3700, $1.3750, $1.3800, $1.3840, $1.3850, $1.3900

GBP/USD $1.6675

EUR/GBP stg0.8175, stg0.8180, stg0.8350

EUR/CHF Chf1.2205, Chf1.2210

AUD/USD $0.8925/30, $0.8940, $0.9000, $0.9080, $0.9105, $0.9110, $0.9130, $0.9150, $0.9160, $0.9180

USD/CAD Cad1.0900, Cad1.100, Cad1.1050, Cad1.1100, Cad1.1150, Cad1.1200

NZD/USD NZ$0.8360, NZ$0.8370, NZ$0.8415, NZ$0.8430, NZ$0.8440

Asian stocks fell, with the regional benchmark index retreating from a six-week high, after reports showed an unexpected slump in Chinese exports and slower growth in Japan than economists had projected.

Nikkei 225 15,120.14 -153.93 -1.01%

S&P/ASX 200 5,411.52 -50.79 -0.93%

Shanghai Composite 1,999.06 -58.84 -2.86%

Fortescue Metals Group Ltd., Australia’s No. 3 producer of iron ore, sank 9.4 percent in Sydney after futures for the metal used to make steel fell into a bear market.

Malaysian Airline System Bhd. headed for a record low after one of its planes bound for Beijing vanished two days ago with 239 people aboard.

Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd. dropped 2.6 percent in Mumbai after the Indian pharmaceutical company recalled a generic cholesterol-lowering drug.

05:00 Japan Eco Watchers Survey: Current February 54.7 54.3 53.0

05:00 Japan Eco Watchers Survey: Outlook February 49.0 40.0

The yen climbed versus all of its 16 major counterparts as the biggest drop in Chinese exports since 2009 and continuing tension in Ukraine’s Crimean peninsula drove demand for Japan’s haven assets. A March 8 report showed China had its biggest trade deficit in two years, data that may have been distorted by the Lunar New Year holiday and over-invoicing a year earlier, according to ING Groep NV. China’s overseas shipments unexpectedly declined 18.1 percent in February from a year earlier, customs data showed March 8, compared with analysts’ median estimate for a 7.5 percent increase. Imports rose 10.1 percent, more than projected, leaving a trade deficit of $23 billion, the data showed.

The yen was also supported as Bank of Japan policy makers begin a two-day meeting today.

The currencies of Australia, Canada and New Zealand led declines among Group of 10 peers versus the yen, as China’s yuan dropped after the central bank cut its reference rate by the most in 1 1/2 years. The People’s Bank of China weakened the yuan’s reference rate today by 0.18 percent, the most since July 2012. The currency lost 0.3 percent to 6.1470 per dollar, according to China Foreign Exchange Trade System prices.

EUR / USD: during the Asian session, the pair traded in the range of $ 1.3875-90

GBP / USD: during the Asian session, the pair rose to $ 1.6740

USD / JPY: on Asian session the pair fell to Y102.95

There is a full data calendar in Europe Monday, although there is little data set for release in the US. For note, the clocks across the US (and much of Canada) went forward one hour over the weekend, with the East coast just four hours behind GMT for the next three weeks. The European calendar gets underway at 0730GMT, with the release of the February Bank of France business survey, followed at 0745GMT by the release of the French January industrial orders numbers. At 0815GMT, the Swiss January retail sales data are set for publication. Italy's January industrial production data will cross the wires at 0900GMT, to be followed by the EMU March sentiment index at 0930GMT.