The U.S. dollar rose against major currencies on the back of strong retail sales data in the U.S.. The key to the U.S. economy holiday sales season started on a positive note : in November retail sales rose by 0.7% compared with the previous month , which is slightly higher than economists' forecasts for a rise of 0.6%. By comparing. Compared with the same period last year retail sales in November rose 4.7 %. According to experts , the published data supplemented piggy encouraging news regarding the U.S. economy, which contribute to enhanced solutions for speculation the U.S. Federal Reserve next week to start folding bond-buying program , which now consumes 85 billion U.S. dollars monthly.

At the same time , the latest data from the Department of Labor showed that the number of people who applied for the first time unemployment benefits rose sharply last week. However, experts note that the Thanksgiving Day holiday could distort the data. According to the report , the number of initial claims for unemployment insurance rose to a seasonally adjusted 68,000 in the week ended Dec. 7 , at the same level reached 368,000 . Add that it was the biggest jump in this indicator over a year . Economists forecast that the number of complaints rise to the level of 321 thousand to 298 thousand , which was originally reported last week.

Earlier pressure on the euro have data showing that industrial production in the euro area seasonally adjusted fell 1.1 percent in October, the month that followed , after falling 0.2 percent in the previous month , which was revised downward from 0, 5 percent. Economists forecast that industrial production increased by 0.3 percent . In annual terms, the volume of industrial production increased in October by 0.2 percent , which was much weaker than economists forecast - at the level of 1.1 percent. We also add that industrial output in September was revised downward to 0.2 percent, compared with the initial estimate of 1.1 per cent level .

In addition, investor attention attracted publication ECB Monthly Report and statements of the head of the ECB Draghi .

Today , in his report of the ECB reiterated that due to the prevailing downside risks , monetary policy will remain accommodative as much as needed to support the economy in the eurozone. This year, the eurozone's GDP is expected to reach 0.4% , and in 2014 and 2015 . - Around 1.1 % and +1.5 % , respectively. According to the Central Bank , the eurozone could face a long period of low inflation , followed by an acceleration to a level close to the target , namely 2%.

We also add that the ECB head Mario Draghi made ​​in the European Parliament with an explanation of the reasons behind the recent decisions of the Central Bank. Draghi said that since the beginning of the crisis in the eurozone was moving mainstream weak recovery. " Low economic activity and high unemployment led to easing of inflation . Against this backdrop, and as part of our mandate to maintain price stability , it was decided to lower the key interest rate to historically low levels , "- he said.

Draghi also said that the ECB has applied a number of non-standard measures to solve the problem of uneven distribution of the effects of lowering rates in the member countries of the eurozone.

Pound earlier rose sharply against the dollar, helped by data from the Conference Board, which showed that the leading indicator for the British economy grew in October , registering with the fourth monthly increase in a row, but in a lesser degree than in the previous month , indicating moderate economic growth in early 2014 . According to the report , the leading economic index increased in October by 0.4 percent on a monthly basis , thus reaching the level of 108.4 points. 6 of 7 components showed growth , the statement said CB.

At the same time , coincident index , which measures current economic situation , rose 0.1 percent to 105.2 points, after increasing 0.2 percent in September. During the six months to October , the leading index rose 4.4 percent, while the coincident index rose by 1.3 percent .

Swiss franc strengthened against the dollar earlier , responding thus to solve the SNB and statements of the head of SNB Jordan.

" The Swiss economy is still facing problems due to lack of growth momentum in the euro area , and the growth is likely to decline in the last quarter of this year ," said the president of the Swiss National Bank Thomas Jordan on Thursday . "The economy has developed favorably in the third quarter , but given the weak economic situation abroad , the risks continue to dominate in Switzerland " - Jordan said at a news conference .

Swiss central bank reiterated its earlier position to prevent the Swiss franc falling below 1.20 francs per euro , promising to buy foreign currency in unlimited quantities, and to take additional measures if necessary . Swiss National Bank also kept its key interest rate in the range of 0% - 0.25 % 10 - consecutive quarter that expected by most economists.

The central bank still expects the economy to grow by Switzerland 1 % to 1.5 % this year and to 2.0% by 2015. This means , Switzerland probably outpace the rest of Europe , as the region is just now coming out of the deep financial and economic crisis in decades. Projected inflation rate this year will be 0.2% , and " no risk of inflation in Switzerland is not at all ," the statement said .

European stocks fell to a two-month low as investors weighed U.S. retail-sales and jobless-claims data to gauge whether the Federal Reserve will decide next week to pare stimulus.

The U.S. central bank may consider reducing its $85 billion of monthly bond purchases at its Dec. 17-18 meeting, according to 34 percent of economists surveyed Dec. 6 by Bloomberg, up from 17 percent in a Nov. 8 poll.

A U.S. Commerce Department report in Washington showed retail sales in the world’s largest economy rose 0.7 percent in November, the biggest gain since June. The median estimate in a Bloomberg survey estimated an increase of 0.6 percent. Separate data showed initial jobless claims increased to 368,000 in the week ended Dec. 7 from a revised 300,000 in the previous week. Economists had predicted a gain to 320,000.

Euro-area industrial production shrank 1.1 percent in October, according to a report from the European Union’s statistics office in Luxembourg. The median estimate survey predicted an expansion of 0.3 percent.

National benchmark indexes dropped in all 18 western European markets. The U.K.’s FTSE 100 slid 1 percent, France’s CAC 40 fell 0.4 percent and Germany’s DAX lost 0.7 percent.

Wood Group tumbled 9.9 percent to 718 pence, its lowest price since July 9, 2012. The U.K. oil-services provider said delays in offshore projects and weakness in its Canadian market may lead to the reduction in its 2014 engineering-unit profit.

Peugeot dropped 7.6 percent to 10.63 euros. Profit this year will take a hit of about 1.1 billion euros because of foreign-exchange swings, while savings from an alliance with General Motors Co. will be about 40 percent less than planned. Peugeot and GM expect the savings to total $1.2 billion by 2018, lower than their previous target for $2 billion by 2016. The companies dropped plans to cooperate on subcompact vehicles.

Ziggo rallied 5.4 percent to 32.50 euros, its highest price since its initial public offering in March 2012. The number of shares that changed hands in the first 90 minutes of trading was more than double of the average full-day volume of the past three months.

Fortum Oyj rose 2.4 percent to 17.25 euros, the highest price since April 2012, after saying it will sell its Finnish power-distribution business for 2.55 billion euros to Suomi Power Networks Oy. Fortum will book a one-time sales gain of as much as 1.9 billion euros.

West Texas Intermediate crude advanced after U.S. retail sales climbed, bolstering the outlook for the economy of the world’s biggest fuel-consuming nation.

Futures gained as much as 0.8 percent. Commerce Department data show purchases rose 0.7 percent last month, the most since June. Equities and commodities dropped yesterday on speculation that a two-year U.S. budget accord will increase the likelihood that the Federal Reserve will curb bond buying. The Fed may begin cutting stimulus at its Dec. 17-18 meeting, according to 34 percent of economists surveyed Dec. 6 by Bloomberg.

WTI for January delivery rose 28 cents, or 0.3 percent, to $97.72 a barrel at 11:01 a.m. on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The volume of all futures traded was 15 percent below the 100-day average. Futures are up 6.4 percent this year.

Brent for January settlement slid 78 cents, or 0.7 percent, to $108.92 a barrel on the London-based ICE Futures Europe exchange. The volume of all futures traded was 13 percent lower than the 100-day average.

Gold prices decline amid falling stock markets and a rise in the dollar because of the fear reduction incentives Fed soon.

The Fed will hold a meeting on December 17-18 , and many investors believe , based on recently published in a strong U.S. macroeconomic statistics , the central bank announced the beginning of the reduction program of buying bonds at this meeting.

Investors awaited a weekly report on the number of applications for unemployment benefits in the U.S. to assess the state of the world 's largest economy .

Recent data from the Ministry of Labor showed that the number of people who applied for the first time unemployment benefits rose sharply last week. However, experts note that the Thanksgiving Day holiday could distort the data.

According to the report , the number of initial claims for unemployment insurance rose to a seasonally adjusted 68,000 in the week ended Dec. 7 , at the same level reached 368,000 . Add that it was the biggest jump in this indicator over a year . Economists forecast that the number of complaints rise to the level of 321 thousand to 298 thousand , which was originally reported last week.

Stocks of the world's largest exchange-traded fund backed by gold (ETF) SPDR Gold Trust on Wednesday declined by 2.1 tons to 833.61 tons - the minimum volume since the beginning of 2009.

Cost February gold futures on the COMEX today dropped to $ 1224.20 per ounce.

U.S. stock futures fluctuated, as investors weighed data on retail sales and jobless claims to gauge the timing of any cuts to Federal Reserve stimulus.

Global markets:

Nikkei 15,341.82 -173.24 -1.12%

Hang Seng 23,218.12 -120.12 -0.51%

Shanghai Composite 2,202.8 -1.37 -0.06%

FTSE 6,464.82 -42.90 -0.66%

CAC 4,077.95 -8.91 -0.22%

DAX 9,033.18 -43.93 -0.48%

Crude oil $98.01 (+0.58%).

Gold $1234.90 (-1.77%).

USD/JPY Y101.00, Y101.50, Y103.00, Y103.50, Y104.00

EUR/USD $1.3600, $1.3750, $1.3760, $1.3765, $1.3835, $1.3850

GBP/USD $1.6235, $1.6245

EUR/CHF Chf1.2225, Chf1.2235

AUD/USD $0.9100, $0.9200, $0.9205, $0.9250

AUD/JPY Y92.50

EUR/AUD A$1.5170

USD/CAD C$1.0590, C$1.0600, C$1.0620, C$1.0630

USD/ZAR Zar10.40

Data

00:00 Australia Consumer Inflation Expectations December +1.9% +2.1%

00:10 New Zealand RBNZ This chapter Graeme Wheeler

00:30 Australia 's unemployment rate in November 5.7 % 5.8 % 5.8 %

00:30 Australia Employment Change in November 1.1 10.3 21.0

08:00 EU ECB President Draghi M.

8:30 Switzerland Swiss National Bank's decision on base rate 0.25% 0.25 % 0.25%

8:30 Meeting of Switzerland Swiss National Bank on monetary policy

8:30 Press Conference Switzerland Swiss National Bank

09:00 EU ECB Monthly Report December

10:00 Eurozone Industrial Production m / m in October -0.5% +0.4 % -1.1 %

10:00 Eurozone Industrial Production y / y in October +1.1 % +1.1 % +0.2%

The euro exchange rate against the dollar traded mixed , that is a reaction to the publication of the monthly economic report, the ECB and the statements of the head of the ECB Draghi .

Today , in his report of the ECB reiterated that due to the prevailing downside risks , monetary policy will remain accommodative as much as needed to support the economy in the eurozone. This year, the eurozone's GDP is expected to reach 0.4% , and in 2014 and 2015 . - Around 1.1 % and +1.5 % , respectively. According to the Central Bank , the eurozone could face a long period of low inflation , followed by an acceleration to a level close to the target , namely 2%.

We also add that the ECB head Mario Draghi made ​​in the European Parliament with an explanation of the reasons behind the recent decisions of the Central Bank. Draghi said that since the beginning of the crisis in the eurozone was moving mainstream weak recovery. " Low economic activity and high unemployment led to easing of inflation . Against this backdrop, and as part of our mandate to maintain price stability , it was decided to lower the key interest rate to historically low levels , "- he said.

Draghi also said that the ECB has applied a number of non-standard measures to solve the problem of uneven distribution of the effects of lowering rates in the member countries of the eurozone.

Little influenced by the data , which showed that the seasonally adjusted industrial production fell by 1.1 percent in October, the month that followed , after falling 0.2 percent in the previous month , which was revised downward from -0.5 percent . Economists forecast that industrial production increased by 0.3 percent . In annual terms, the volume of industrial production increased in October by 0.2 percent , which was much weaker than economists forecast - at the level of 1.1 percent. We also add that industrial output in September was revised downward to 0.2 percent, compared with the initial estimate of 1.1 per cent level .

Pound rose sharply against the dollar, helped by data from the Conference Board, which showed that the leading indicator for the British economy grew in October , registering with the fourth monthly increase in a row, but in a lesser degree than in the previous month , indicating moderate economic growth in early 2014 . According to the report , the leading economic index increased in October by 0.4 percent on a monthly basis , thus reaching the level of 108.4 points. 6 of 7 components showed growth , the statement said CB.

At the same time , coincident index , which measures current economic situation , rose 0.1 percent to 105.2 points, after increasing 0.2 percent in September. During the six months to October , the leading index rose 4.4 percent, while the coincident index rose by 1.3 percent .

Swiss franc strengthened against the dollar , responding thus to solve the SNB and statements of the head of SNB Jordan.

" The Swiss economy is still facing problems due to lack of growth momentum in the euro area , and the growth is likely to decline in the last quarter of this year ," said the president of the Swiss National Bank Thomas Jordan on Thursday . "The economy has developed favorably in the third quarter , but given the weak economic situation abroad , the risks continue to dominate in Switzerland " - Jordan said at a news conference .

Swiss central bank reiterated its earlier position to prevent the Swiss franc falling below 1.20 francs per euro , promising to buy foreign currency in unlimited quantities, and to take additional measures if necessary . Swiss National Bank also kept its key interest rate in the range of 0% - 0.25 % 10 - consecutive quarter that expected by most economists.

The central bank still expects the economy to grow by Switzerland 1 % to 1.5 % this year and to 2.0% by 2015. This means , Switzerland probably outpace the rest of Europe , as the region is just now coming out of the deep financial and economic crisis in decades. Projected inflation rate this year will be 0.2% , and " no risk of inflation in Switzerland is not at all ," the statement said .

EUR / USD: during the European session, the pair fell to $ 1.3762 , but later came back to $ 1.3780

GBP / USD: during the European session, the pair rose to $ 1.6418

USD / JPY: during the European session, the pair rose to Y102.94, then retreated slightly

At 13:30 GMT , Canada will release the housing price index on the primary market for October and the capacity utilization rate in the 3rd quarter . Also this time, the U.S. will announce the change in the volume of retail trade and submit the import price index for November. At 15:00 GMT the U.S. will report on changes in the volume of reserves in commercial warehouses for October. At 21:30 GMT New Zealand will index of business activity in the manufacturing sector of Business NZ in November.

EUR/USD

Offers $1.3870/80, $1.3850/55, $1.3850, $1.3830/35, $1.3815/20

Bids $1.3764, $1.3725, $1.3715/00, $1.3694

GBP/USD

Offers $1.6550, $1.6520/30, $1.6500, $1.6470-80, $1.6420/30

Bids $1.6380/70, $1.6340, $1.6325/15, $1.6300/290

AUD/USD

Offers $0.9180, $0.9165/70, $0.9120/30, $0.9095/00, $0.9065/70

Bids $0.9000, $0.8989, $0.8980, $0.8950

EUR/JPY

Offers Y143.00, Y142.80, Y142.50, Y142.20/30, Y141.95/00

Bids Y141.15, Y140.80, Y140.50, Y140.25/20

USD/JPY

Offers Y103.75, Y103.50, Y103.40, Y103.15/20, Y102.94/95

Bids Y102.20, Y102.00, Y101.70, Y101.50

EUR/GBP

Offers stg0.8500, stg0.8475/80, stg0.8440/50, stg0.8431

Bids stg0.8380, stg0.8355/45, stg0.8330/20, stg0.8300/290, stg0.8260/50

European and Asian stocks fell to a two-month low, euro-area government bonds declined and most emerging-market currencies weakened. The yen snapped a two-day rally while nickel rose to a five-week high.

The Stoxx Europe 600 Index declined 0.6 percent and touched the lowest level since Oct. 14.

More economists are predicting the Federal Reserve will taper its stimulus as soon as next week and U.S. retail-sales data today will add to signs of growth, according to analyst estimates. Chinese policy makers meet this week to set growth targets for 2014 while central banks in Indonesia, New Zealand, South Korea and Switzerland maintained their benchmark interest rates today. European Central Bank policy maker Peter Praet said assessing sovereign-bond risks in a stress test may discourage banks from using ECB funds to load up on government debt.

According to various sources, tapering is expected between January and March, so earlier could have some negative impact,” Christoph Riniker, head of strategy research at Julius Baer Group Ltd. in Zurich, said in an interview. “Our view is that there is no year-end rally as the performance in the year was very good and investors are too optimistic at the moment.”

John Wood Group Plc plunged 11 percent after predicting that earnings from its engineering division will probably drop 15 percent in 2014.

PSA Peugeot Citroen slid 9.4 percent after saying it will take a 1.1 billion-euro ($1.5 billion) charge. The French carmaker said its partnership with General Motors Co. will generate smaller savings than it had forecast.

Ziggo NV jumped 7 percent as the Dutch broadband provider said that Liberty Global Plc has revived talks to buy the company. People familiar with the matter said the U.S. cable TV operator may make a bid before the end of this year.

FTSE 100 6,446.6 -61.12 -0.94%

CAC 40 4,076.01 -10.85 -0.27%

DAX 9,012.02 -65.09 -0.72%

USD/JPY Y101.00, Y101.50, Y103.00, Y103.50, Y104.00

EUR/USD $1.3600, $1.3750, $1.3760, $1.3765, $1.3835, $1.3850

GBP/USD $1.6235, $1.6245

EUR/CHF Chf1.2225, Chf1.2235

AUD/USD $0.9100, $0.9200, $0.9205, $0.9250

AUD/JPY Y92.50

EUR/AUD A$1.5170

USD/CAD C$1.0590, C$1.0600, C$1.0620, C$1.0630

USD/ZAR Zar10.40

European indices declined with mining shares and the financial sector posting the biggest losses. Lower oil prices after the OPEC report that demand will drop in 2015 and the political turmoil in Greece weighed on the indices. Weaker Industrial Output in China put further pressure on the markets. The FTSE 100 index is currently trading -1.27% quoted at 6,379.71 points, Germany's DAX 30 lost -1.37% trading at 9,727.80. France's CAC 40 declined by -1.33%, currently trading at 4,169.84 points.

Markets await Eurozone's Employment Change and industrial Production data published at 10:00 GMT and later in the session U.S. PPI and the Reuters/Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index due at 13:30 GMT and 14:55 GMT.

00:00 Australia Consumer Inflation Expectation December +1.9% +2.1%

00:10 New Zealand RBNZ Governor Graeme Wheeler Speaks

00:30 Australia Unemployment rate November 5.7% 5.8% 5.8%

00:30 Australia Changing the number of employed November 1.1 10.3 21.0

The euro held a seven-day gain against the dollar that matched its longest rally since April 2011, before European Central Bank President Mario Draghi speaks in the European Union parliament today. President Draghi will speak in the European Parliament today, two days after he said it’s now “crucial” for “other actors” to complement the central bank’s monetary policy actions by carrying out changes at the regional and national level to enable a sustainable recovery. “The ECB, like all central banks, should not try to do what they cannot do and one of these is to supplement governments for structural reform action or repair broken banking systems,” he said in Rome.

The shared currency traded near a six-week high with data due today forecast to show a rebound in euro-area industrial production. Industrial production in the euro area probably grew 0.3 percent in October from the prior month, when it fell 0.5 percent, according to the median estimate of economists in a Bloomberg News survey before the European Union’s statistics office releases the data today.

The greenback snapped a two-day decline against the yen as investors weigh U.S. economic reports ahead of next week’s Federal Reserve meeting.

Australia’s dollar fell after unemployment rose to match the highest level since 2009. In Australia, the unemployment rate climbed to 5.8 percent in November from 5.7 percent a month earlier, the statistics bureau said in Sydney today. That matches the highest level since June 2009. The total number of people employed rose by 21,000, beating economists’ estimates for a 10,000 increase.

EUR / USD: during the Asian session, the pair is trading around $ 1.3785

GBP / USD: during the Asian session the pair fell to $ 1.6350

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

There is a full calendar Thursday on both sides of the Atlantic, with both data and central bank speakers on the agenda. The calendar gets underway at 0745GMT, with the release of the November HICP data. At 0800GMT, ECB President Mario Draghi participates a in debate on the ECB's Annual Report, at the European Parliament in Strasbourg. The SNB announces its latest interest rate decision, along with updated economic forecasts, at 0830GMT. There is further data on the calendar at 0900GMT, when both the ECB monthly report and the Italian November final HICP numbers will be published. The ECB's monthly report is expected to mirror the statement read by Mario Draghi at the December press conference. At 1000GMT, the EMU October industrial output data will be published. At the same time, ECB Governing Council member Erkki Liikanen will hold a press conference on the economic outlook, in Helsinki. At 1415GMT, ECB Executive Board member Joerg Asmussen will deliver a press conference on the EU/ESCB cooperation project with the National Bank of Serbia, in Belgrade.

Gold $1,252.80 -4.40 -0.35%

Oil $97.37 -0.07 -0.07%

Nikkei 225 15,515.06 -96.25 -0.62%

S&P/ASX 200 5,104.25 -39.30 -0.76%

Shanghai Composite 2,204.17 -33.33 -1.49%

FTSE 100 6,507.72 -15.59 -0.24%

CAC 40 4,086.86 -4.28 -0.10%

DAX 9,077.11 -37.33 -0.41%

Dow 15,843.53 -129.60 -0.81%

Nasdaq 4,003.81 -56.68 -1.40%

S&P 500 1,782.22 -20.40 -1.13%

(pare/closed(00:00 GMT +02:00)/change, %)

EUR/USD $1,3784 +0,17%

GBP/USD $1,6372 -0,43%

USD/CHF Chf0,8903 +0,34%

USD/JPY Y103,27 +0,42%

EUR/JPY Y141,87 +0,26%

GBP/JPY Y169,63 +0,32%

AUD/USD $0,9110 -0,43%

NZD/USD $0,8282 -0,34%

USD/CAD C$1,0588 -0,12%

00:00 Australia Consumer Inflation Expectation December +1.9%

00:10 New Zealand RBNZ Governor Graeme Wheeler Speaks

00:30 Australia Unemployment rate November 5.7% 5.8%

00:30 Australia Changing the number of employed November 1.1 10.3

08:00 Eurozone ECB President Mario Draghi Speaks

08:30 Switzerland SNB Interest Rate Decision 0.25% 0.25%

08:30 Switzerland SNB Monetary Policy Assessment

08:30 Switzerland SNB Press Conference

09:00 Eurozone ECB Monthly Report December

10:00 Eurozone Industrial production, (MoM) October -0.5% +0.4%

10:00 Eurozone Industrial Production (YoY) October +1.1% +1.1%

13:30 Canada New Housing Price Index October 0.0% +0.3%

13:30 U.S. Retail sales November +0.4% +0.6%

13:30 U.S. Retail sales excluding auto November +0.2% +0.2%

13:30 U.S. Initial Jobless Claims December 298 321

13:30 U.S. Import Price Index November -0.7% -0.7%

15:00 U.S. Business inventories October +0.6% +0.5%

18:05 Canada BOC Gov Stephen Poloz Speaks

21:30 New Zealand Business NZ PMI November 55.7