The euro rose against the dollar, while data on consumer sentiment in the U.S. went out a little weaker than expected . According to the report , the final index of consumer sentiment University of Michigan and Reuters in December remained at the previous estimate of 82.5 and was against the November final value of 75.1 . Economists had expected the final index of consumer sentiment in December will remain almost unchanged at 82.9 . In late December, the current conditions index rose to 98.6 , after earlier this month it jumped to 97.9 from November's final value of 88.0 . The expectations index fell to 72.1 from 72.7 in early December.

Another report showed that the indicator of national economic activity FRB Chicago has grown significantly in November, which allowed to raise an average of three to nearly 2 -year high. It became known from the data , which were presented by the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago .

According to the report , the economic activity index of the Chicago Fed rose last month to a level of 0.60 points , compared with a revised downward index for October at -0.07 points ( originally reported -0.18 points). Meanwhile, add that a more objective measure , namely the three-month average value rose to 0.25 points from 0.12 points in October , while reaching the highest level since February 2012 .

These signs of growth were echoed recently improving U.S. economic indicators . We also add that these figures preceded the Fed's policy statement that the central bank will begin to reduce the amount of stimulus measures next month .

In turn , the latest data from the Commerce Department showed that Americans stepped up their spending in November , which portends a good season for holiday sales and a new signal that the U.S. economic recovery is gaining momentum. According to the report , the amount of personal spending rose last month by 0.5 percent , compared with a revised upward index for October at 0.4 percent (originally reported growth of 0.3 percent ) . We add that the November increase was the largest since June this year. Meanwhile, we note that the recent rise has fully confirmed the average forecast of experts. The report also said that the amount of personal income rose in November by 0.2 percent, after falling 0.1 percent in October . According to economists , the increase should have been 0.4 percent.

The Canadian dollar rose against the U.S. dollar on the back of strong GDP data for Canada. Recent data presented previously by Statistics Canada showed that Canada's economy grew faster in October than expected, thus fixing the fourth increase in a row. Note that a major factor in the increase in GDP turned monthly gain in the manufacturing sector , which proved most over the past two years, which suggests that economic growth in the fourth quarter may not be far from the indicators that have been recorded in the previous three months .

According to the report , the gross domestic product , which estimates the total amount of goods and services produced in the country, rose in October by 0.3 percent , demonstrating the same pace as in September. In addition, data showed that the annualized GDP growth accelerated to 2.7% from 2.4% previously , which allowed to fix the strongest growth since May 2012 .

At Statistics reported that the main support GDP growth had production in the manufacturing sector , which grew by 1.3 per cent , showing the best result since December 2011 . This growth, along with a 1.2 percent increase in September , said the best performance of this sector for two consecutive months from December 2010 and January 2011 .

European stocks advanced, posting the biggest four-day rally since April, after the International Monetary Fund said it will raise its U.S. growth outlook.

The Stoxx Europe 600 Index climbed 0.7 percent to 323.40 at the close of trading in London. The gauge has rallied 16 percent this year, including the 3.9 percent gain in the past four days. The Stoxx 600 is heading for its biggest annual jump since 2009.

European stocks rose 3.7 percent last week, the biggest rally since April, after the Federal Reserve’s decision to reduce its monthly bond purchases increased investors’ confidence in the strength of the U.S. economic recovery.

The IMF will increase its outlook for the U.S. economy as a budget deal and falling unemployment ease doubts about the future, Managing Director Christine Lagarde said in an interview yesterday on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” The IMF said in October the world’s largest economy would expand 2.6 percent next year. Lagarde didn’t specify new figures. The Washington-based fund usually issues projections in January.

A U.S. report showed the the Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan final index of consumer sentiment climbed to 82.5 in December from 75.1 a month earlier. The median forecast of 61 economists in a Bloomberg survey called for 83 after a preliminary reading of 82.5. Consumer spending rose in November by the most in five months, according to a separate report.

National benchmark indexes advanced in 14 of the 18 western-European markets today. France’s CAC 40 added 0.5 percent and Germany’s DAX rose 0.9 percent. The U.K.’s FTSE 100 climbed 1.1 percent.

ARM Holdings increased 3.9 percent to 1,110 pence after Apple’s agreement with China Mobile. Dialog Semiconductor Plc, which got 77 percent of its revenue from the iPhone maker, rose 3.4 percent to 15.68 euros.

Lanxess advanced 4.4 percent to 47.74 euros. CEO Axel Heitmann told Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung that the company will reach its goal of 710 million euro ($972 million) to 760 million euro in earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization before special items, adding he is confident about improving results in 2014.

Orell Fuessli declined 2.2 percent to 88 Swiss francs after saying it will report an operating loss of 20 million francs ($22.3 million) for 2013. It cited special charges at its security-printing unit, which produces Switzerland’s banknotes. On Oct. 1, the company said it was liable for losses incurred by customers in relation to banknotes stolen during production.

West Texas Intermediate crude retreated from a two-month high on speculation that prices climbed more than justified last week.

Futures dropped as much as 0.5 percent in New York after gaining 2.8 percent last week. Global equities climbed today after International Monetary Fund Managing Director Christine Lagarde said yesterday the fund is raising its outlook for the U.S. economy. An Energy Information Administration report on Dec. 15 showed that fuel demand surged in the week ended Dec. 13 while crude output was near a 25-year high.

WTI for February delivery fell 36 cents, or 0.4 percent, to $98.96 a barrel at 9:17 a.m. on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The contract rose 28 cents to $99.32 on Dec. 20, the highest close since Oct. 18. The volume of all futures traded was 70 percent below the 100-day average. Prices have advanced 7.8 percent this year.

Brent crude for February settlement slipped 3 cents to $111.74 a barrel on the London-based ICE Futures Europe exchange. The volume of all futures traded was 65 percent lower than the 100-day average. The European benchmark traded at a $12.78 premium to WTI, compared with $12.64 on Dec. 20.

The price of gold declines on concerns about further reductions in the U.S. Fed QE3 .

For the week of February futures fell 2.5%. Thus, all goes to the fact that gold is cheaper for the year for the first time in 13 years . As of Friday , gold futures for the beginning of 2013 fell by 27%.

Since the leaders of the Federal Reserve this year began signaling a possible reduction of bond-buying program , investors have to get rid of gold.

The final blow was struck on Wednesday, when the Fed announced a reduction by 10 billion dollars a month, to $ 75 billion . On Thursday futures closed at its lowest level since August 2010.

Gold prices in the coming weeks will also depend on whether it will become the largest consumers in Asia continue to consider this metal as a profitable investment after he fell .

Demand for gold bars, coins and jewelry this year flew several times when investors from Dubai to Beijing to benefit from several years of unprecedented gold prices. In recent months, this demand has grown cold , but analysts and traders said last week he showed signs of recovery .

Cost February gold futures on the COMEX today dropped to $ 1191.80 per ounce.

Stocks and U.S. equity futures gained as Apple Inc. (AAPL) rallied and the International Monetary Fund indicated it would raise its outlook for the American economy. 

Globalmarkets:

Nikkei 15,870.42 +11.20 +0.07%

Hang Seng 22,921.56 +109.38 +0.48%

Shanghai Composite 2,089.71 +4.91 +0.24%

FTSE 6,661.73 +55.15 +0.83%

CAC 4,197.93 +4.16 +0.10%

DAX 9,464.48 +64.30 +0.68%

Crude oil $99.04 (-0.28%).

Gold $1200.80 (-0.24%).

USD/JPY Y103.00, Y104.00, Y105.00

EUR/USD $1.3600, $1.3650, $1.3660, $1.3700, $1.3750

USD/CHF Chf0.8900, Chf0.9090

AUD/USD $0.8900, $0.9100

USD/CAD Cad1.0650, Cad1.0675

Data

7:00 Switzerland indicator of consumer activity from UBS November 1.26 1.43

The euro exchange rate rose slightly against the U.S. dollar , helped by expectations publication of data on the United States. Today will be published important data on inflation and the level of expenditure of the U.S. population . According to the median forecast of economists , income of the American population , as costs increase in November by 0.5 % compared with the previous month . Index PCE Core, which draws the attention of the Federal Reserve System in assessing the risks of inflation is expected to rise by 0.1% compared to October and by 1.2% compared with November 2012 .

Equally important will also be a report on consumer confidence. According to forecasts, the final index of consumer confidence from Reuters and the University of Michigan in December rose to the level of 82.9 points, compared with an initial value of around 82.5 points, and the final reading for November - at the level of 75.1 points .

Meanwhile, add that little support for the dollar had a statement of the head of the IMF , Christine Lagarde, the fund 's readiness to improve the prognosis of the U.S. economy in 2014. Lagarde noted that U.S. growth strengthened that definitely lead to further improve the business climate in the next year.

The Swiss franc rose moderately against the U.S. dollar , which helped the publication of data on positive Switzerland. The results of recent studies , which were presented earlier today UBS, showed that the rate of consumer activity in Switzerland rose last month , as the Christmas shopping period lifted the mood in the retail sector .

According to the report , consumption indicator rose to 1.43 points in November , compared with 1.26 points in October . This increase was due to higher assessment of business conditions in the retail sector , although weak data on new car registrations have prevented more substantial growth , the report said .

Meanwhile, it became known that the index of business conditions in the retail sector , compiled by the Institute KOF, which is one of five sub - indicators in the indicator of consumer activity UBS, rose in November to a level of 6 points compared with 1.5 points a month earlier.

The Canadian dollar rose substantially against the U.S. dollar , as the focus of market participants began to gradually switch to Canadian GDP data . According to the average forecasts of experts , at the end of October , the gross domestic product rose by 0.1 percent, compared with an increase of 0.3 percent in the previous month . Recall that the growth rate or the excess of the actual value of the forecast is positive for the Canadian dollar. In case of significant deviation from the forecast may have a strong impact on the dynamics of the Canadian currency .

EUR / USD: during the European session, the pair rose to $ 1.3670

GBP / USD: during the European session, the pair rose to $ 1.6375 , but then retreated slightly

USD / JPY: during the European session, the pair fell to Y103.77

13:30 GMT Canada announced changes in GDP for October. Also this time, the U.S. will present the main index for personal consumption expenditures and the deflator for personal consumption expenditures in November , and will report to change the level of spending for November. At 14:00 GMT Belgium release index business sentiment in December. At 14:55 GMT the United States will present an indicator of consumer confidence from the University of Michigan in December.

EUR/USD

Offers $1.3770/80, $1.3750, $1.3730, $1.3705/10, $1.3690/00

Bids $1.3650, $1.3620, $1.3600, $1.3590

GBP/USD

Offers $1.6480, $1.6450, $1.6410, $1.6390/400, $1.6375/80

Bids $1.6325/20, $1.6300, $1.6295/90, $1.6280/75

AUD/USD

Offers $0.9050, $0.9020, $0.9000, $0.8980/90, $0.8955/60, $0.8950

Bids $0.8900, $0.8880, $0.8855/50, $0.8825/20, $0.8800, $0.8780

EUR/JPY

Offers Y143.80, Y143.50, Y143.20, Y143.00, Y142.45/50

Bids Y142.05/00, Y141.80/60, Y141.50, Y141.25/20, Y141.00

USD/JPY

Offers Y105.00, Y104.80, Y104.50, Y104.15/20

Bids Y103.80/75, Y103.70, Y103.65/60, Y103.50

EUR/GBP

Offers stg0.8467, stg0.8435/40, stg0.8415/20, stg0.8400, stg0.8380/85

Bids stg0.8350, stg0.8330/20, stg0.8300/290, stg0.8260/50, stg0.8220

European stocks advanced for a fourth day, the longest streak in two months, after the International Monetary Fund said it is raising its growth outlook for the U.S. economy. Asian shares and U.S. index futures climbed.

The Stoxx Europe 600 Index climbed 0.2 percent to 321.76 at 9:40 a.m. in London. The index has rallied 15 percent this year and is heading for its biggest annual advance since 2009.

“The positive assessment the IMF gave with regard to U.S. growth corroborates the improving economic indicators we have been witnessing,” said Konstantin Giantiroglou, head of investment advisory at Neue Aargauer Bank in Brugg, Switzerland. “The sentiment going into Christmas and New Year is good. We have an improving global economy and for the first time since the financial crisis we should see a synchronous recovery. We should see a continuation of the bull market in 2014.”

The IMF is raising its outlook for the U.S. economy as a budget deal in Washington and the Fed’s plan to reduce its bond buying ease doubts about the future, Managing Director Christine Lagarde said in an interview yesterday on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” The IMF said in October the world’s largest economy would expand 2.6 percent next year. Lagarde didn’t specify new figures.

A report may show that consumer confidence increased in December. A final reading for the Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan December consumer sentiment index rose to 83, according to the median economist forecast. That compares with a preliminary prediction of 82.5 and a reading of 75.1 in November.

ARM Holdings increased 2 percent to 1,089 pence after Apple (AAPL)’s Chinese agreement.

Lanxess advanced 2.5 percent to 46.89 euros. CEO Axel Heitmann told Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung that the company will reach the company’s goal of 710 million-euro ($972 million) to 760 million-euro Ebitda before special items, adding he is confident about improving results in 2014.

Orell Fuessli declined 4.1 percent to 86.30 Swiss francs after saying it will report an operating loss of 20 million francs ($22.3 million) for 2013, citing special charges at its security-printing unit, which produces Switzerland’s banknotes. On Oct. 1, the company said it was liable for losses incurred by customers in relation to banknotes stolen during production at Orell Fuessli.

FTSE 100 6,631.88 +25.30 +0.38%

CAC 40 4,192.57 -1.20 -0.03%

DAX 9,444.64 +44.46 +0.47%

USD/JPY Y103.00, Y104.00, Y105.00

EUR/USD $1.3600, $1.3650, $1.3660, $1.3700, $1.3750

USD/CHF Chf0.8900, Chf0.9090

AUD/USD $0.8900, $0.9100

USD/CAD Cad1.0650, Cad1.0675

Asian stocks outside Japan rose after data showed faster-than-estimated economic growth in the U.S. and the International Monetary Fund said it’s raising its outlook for the world’s largest economy.

Nikkei 225 Closed

S&P/ASX 200 5,291.95 +26.73 +0.51%

Shanghai Composite 2,089.71 +4.91 +0.24%

Hyundai Merchant Marine Co., Korea’s second-largest shipping company, surged 15 percent in Seoul after Hyundai Group said it plans to sell assets including financial units and its hotel business for at least 3.3 trillion won ($3.1 billion).

Echo Entertainment Group Ltd. advanced 6.1 percent in Sydney after a managing director of its Star casino resigned.

China Mobile Ltd. added 1.3 percent in Hong Kong after striking a deal with Apple Inc. to sell the iPhone in the world’s largest wireless market.

00:00 Japan Bank holiday

The U.S. currency last week advanced versus eight Group of 10 currencies as the Fed said it will reduce the size of its bond-purchase program and reiterated that benchmark rates will remain low contingent on jobless and inflation data. U.S. inflation as measured by the core PCE price index rose 1.2 percent in November from a year earlier, compared with a 1.1 percent gain in the prior month, according to the median forecast in a Bloomberg New survey before a report today. October’s reading was the lowest since March 2011.

U.S. consumer spending, which account for about 70 percent of the economy, climbed 0.5 percent in November after a 0.3 percent increase the prior month, the Commerce Department is expected to say today, according to the Bloomberg median. Incomes probably rose 0.5 percent after a 0.1 percent drop in October, the poll predicts.

A budget deal in Washington and the Federal Reserve’s plan to taper its bond buying will allow for a new growth estimate, International Monetary Fund Managing Director Christine Lagarde said on NBC’s “Meet the Press” yesterday without specifying new figures. U.S. stocks rose Dec. 20 after a report showed the economy expanded in the third quarter at a faster rate than previously estimated.

Australia’s dollar added to its biggest advance in more than a month and traded about a cent from its three-year low.

EUR / USD: during the Asian session, the pair traded in the range of $ 1.3670-95

GBP / USD: during the Asian session, the pair rose to $ 1.6360

USD / JPY: on Asian session the pair traded in the range of Y103.95-10

With the Christmas holiday fast approaching, Monday's calendar quietens significantly. Also, trading volumes are seen as being light, with many market players extending the holiday, along with Tokyo markets also closed for a national holiday. The European data calendar gets underway at 0800GMT, when the Spanish PPI data is released. At 0900GMT, Italian December ISTAT consumer confidence numbers are set to cross the wires. Analysts are looking for a rise from 98.3 in November to 98.7. The EMU third quarter government debt numbers are due to be published at 1000GMT.

00:00 Japan Bank holiday

07:00 Switzerland UBS Consumption Indicator November 1.28

13:30 Canada GDP (m/m) October +0.3% +0.1%

13:30 U.S. Chicago Federal National Activity Index November -0.18

13:30 U.S. Personal Income, m/m November -0.1% +0.4%

13:30 U.S. Personal spending November +0.3% +0.5%

13:30 U.S. PCE price index ex food, energy, m/m November +0.1% +0.1%

13:30 U.S. PCE price index ex food, energy, Y/Y November +1.1%

14:00 Belgium Business Climate December -4.3 -3.9

14:55 U.S. Reuters/Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index (Finally) December 82.5 82.9