Prices for crude oil rose WT, due to growing concerns about the market situation in Egypt and the possible disruption of supplies of raw materials in the Middle East. Add that Egypt itself is not a major producer and exporter of oil. However, through the Suez Canal, which is controlled by the State, is of the order of 7% of all oil tanker deliveries. In Egypt maintained a state of emergency. On Wednesday a wave of unrest due to overclocking camps of supporters of the ousted government of President-Islamist Mohammed Morsi. Killed more than 600 people, about four thousand were injured.

In parallel, the market continued to be influenced by expectations of further Fed action in the framework of monetary policy.

With regard to the data presented today, that is to provide the American report, which showed that the number of housing starts in the U.S. rose in July, reflecting the growth in the sector of apartment buildings, which was stronger than the slowdown in the sector of single-family homes.

According to the report, the number of housing starts rose in July by 5.9% to 896.000 on an annualized basis, compared with 846,000 in June. According to the forecasts of economists number of housing starts should have been 905.000. Growth in the construction of apartment buildings was 26%, a decline of single-family construction - 2.2%.

The builders are limited in the proposal due to the lack of materials and sites, as they are trying to increase prices and profits in the industry. Further growth in employment will be required to support sustainable demand.

In addition, it was reported that the number of building permits in July rose to 943,000 year on year, also due to significant growth in the sector of apartment buildings. Expected to rise to 945,000, after the earlier figure was 918,000.

The cost of the September futures on U.S. light crude oil WTI (Light Sweet Crude Oil) rose to $ 107.98 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

September futures price for North Sea Brent crude oil mixture fell to $ 110.17 a barrel on the London exchange ICE Futures Europe.

Gold prices rose slightly today, rising at the same time to two-month high, and fixed the biggest weekly gain in a month. Note that this dynamic is the fact that today presented a weaker-than-expected U.S. data increases the likelihood that the Federal Reserve will start to change their policies.

As shown by the data, the total number of housing starts in the U.S. rose in July, although the drop in single-family housing better reflects the great obstacles in stewards.

The total number of housing starts in the U.S. rose by 5.9% in July compared with the previous month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 896,000 units, the Commerce Department reported Friday. Construction of multi-family housing, including apartments, rose 26%, while single-family housing declined Share 2.2%. Compared with a year earlier, the whole establishment of new homes rose by 20.9%. Add that many economists had forecast that overall housing starts will rise by 8.9%.

The report reflected a mixed picture for the construction of housing. Construction of houses has increased in two of the last three months, potentially indicating a strong housing market and economic recovery. Nevertheless, an increase has been largely due to an increase in a multi sector is volatile category that can conceal the demand.

Meanwhile, many traders say that from a technical point of view, overcoming resistance at $ 1,350 and adds interest to purchase.

The data also showed that the stock of gold in the SPDR Gold Trust fell yesterday by 0.3 million tons to 912.92 million tons. Note that rare inflows to the fund have been seen only twice in the last six sessions, but stocks remain at four-year lows.

Analysts also expect that the level of demand in India will grow in the coming weeks, in anticipation of the season of weddings and gala celebrations, despite import restrictions by the government.

The cost of the October gold futures on COMEX today rose to $ 1366.40 per ounce.

Change % Change Last

GOLD 1,361.60 27.60 2.07%

OIL (WTI) 107.23 0.38 0.36%