Yen Rises Most in 2 Weeks as Oil Spurs Haven Bid; Real Rallies

The yen strengthened the most in two weeks against the dollar as oil prices slumped to a five-year low, feeding demand for haven assets. The yen appreciated 1 percent to 119.48 per dollar as of 5 p.m. New York time after adding as much as 1.5 percent, the biggest gain since Dec. 16. It advanced 1 percent to 145.25 versus the euro. The 18-nation common currency traded at $1.2156...

Gold Climbs to Highest in a Week as Equities, Dollar Decline

Gold futures rose to the highest in more than a week as world equities dropped and the dollar headed for the first decline in three sessions, boosting demand for bullion as an alternative asset. The metal also climbed as Greece is expected to hold early elections on Jan. 25 after Prime Minister Antonis Samaras failed to secure the necessary votes to hold office. The nation™s ongoing debt crisis poses a risk to Europe™s economy. Gold...

U.S. Stocks Decline From Record Levels to Pare December Gains

U.S. stocks fell, after the Standard & Poor™s 500 Index closed yesterday at a record for the 53rd time this year, as technology and utility companies sank the most in 18 months. The S&P 500 dropped 0.5 percent to 2,080.34 at 4 p.m. in New York. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 54.65 points, or 0.3 percent, to 17,983.58. The Nasdaq 100 Index slid 0.7 percent as Apple Inc. lost 1.2 percent to pace declines among technology...

U.S. Shares Fall From Near Records; Treasuries Rise, Gold Surges

U.S. stocks fell from near records, with the Standard & Poor™s 500 Index paring a seventh straight December gain, while Treasuries rose and gold surged. European and emerging equities slipped as energy shares declined. The S&P 500 slid 0.3 percent at 11:56 p.m. in New York after closing at a record for the 53rd time in 2014. The Stoxx Europe 600 Index lost 0.9 percent to extend a December drop. The MSCI Emerging Markets Index...

Europe Stocks Fall From Three-Week High, Head for December Drop

European stocks fell, heading for their first December decline since 2008, as energy shares slid. The Stoxx Europe 600 Index dropped 0.9 percent to 341.02 at the close of trading. A gauge of oil and gas companies lost 1.8 percent, posting the biggest loss among 19 industry groups as oil prices traded near a five-year low. The broader European gauge has fallen 1.8 percent this month, with Greek equities slumping on concern about the implications...

Gold Futures Drop in New York as Dollar Touches Five-Year High

Gold futures fell for the fourth time in five sessions as the dollar touched a five-year high, damping investor demand for the metal as a store of value. The Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index rose to 1,133.26, the highest since 2009, amid signs that the U.S. economy is improving. Holdings in exchange-traded funds backed by bullion fell 0.6 percent last week, extending a drop to the lowest since 2009. Futures trading was 45 percent below...

Russian Economy Shows Gesture First Recession

The Russian economy contracted by 0.5% in November, the first decline in GDP since October 2009. The Russian government forecast a decline of 0.8% of GDP next year, compared with 0.6% GDP growth in 2014 as a whole. Ruble fell to a level of 57 to the US dollar on Monday, a decline of over 6% after it had increased last week. The Russian economy is highly dependent on energy exports...

Saham AS Lanjutkan Reli Pekan Lalu ditopang Penguatan Saham Energi

Saham AS naik mengirim indeks Standard & Poor 500 bersiap menuju kenaikan tahunan ketiga berturut-turut seiring indeks ekuitas naik pekan lalu. Indeks Standard & Poor 500 naik sebesar 0,2 persen ke level 2,092.95 pukul 11:54 siang di New York. Indeks Dow melonjak 7.26 poin, atau kurang dari 0,1 persen, ke level 18,060.97. Indeks Russell 2000 menguat sebesar 0,3 persen. Volume perdagangan saham pada S&P 500 sebesar 36 persen ...

Gold Declines With Silver as Dollar Strength Curbs Demand

Gold fell on concern gains last week were exaggerated amid prospects for a stronger dollar and declining investor demand. The metal rose 1.9 percent on Dec. 26, the biggest gain in more than two weeks, on speculation that China will take more measures to bolster the economy. Holdings in SPDR Gold Trust, the largest exchange-traded product backed by the metal, have dropped to a six-year...

Europe Stocks Little Changed as Greece’s ASE Declines After Vote

European stocks were little changed, while Greece™s ASE Index fell as the nation faces early elections after Prime Minister Antonis Samaras failed a third time to get enough backing for his presidential candidate. The Stoxx Europe 600 Index gained less than 0.1 percent to 344.06 at 4:30 p.m. in London, after falling as much as 0.8 percent. The Greek gauge slid 3.9 percent and as much as 11 percent, the most among 18 western-European...

Japanese Stocks Follow U.S. Shares Higher as Insurers Advance

Japanese shares rose, with the Topix index extending a three-week high, after U.S. stocks climbed to records amid optimism about the gathering pace of recovery in the world™s largest economy. Insurers advanced. The Topix gained 0.4 percent to 1,433.50 as of 9:02 a.m. in Tokyo, with all but three of 33 industry groups increasing. The measure is poised for its highest close since Dec. 9. The Nikkei 225 Stock Average added 0.4 percent...

Asian Stocks Advance Amid Optimism in U.S Economic Recovery

Asian stocks rose, with the regional gauge heading for a 2 1/2-week high, amid optimism in the strength of the world™s largest economy. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index gained 0.2 percent to 138.04 as of 9:01 a.m. in Tokyo, before markets opened in Hong Kong and China. Australia™s S&P/ASX 200 Index added 0.5 percent, on volume 62 percent below the 30-day intraday average, as it...

Euro Approaches Two-Year Low on Greece Early Election Concern

The euro traded 0.1 percent from a two-year low as Greece™s prime minister attempts to get his presidential candidate confirmed and avoid an early parliamentary election that risks severing the nation™s international lifeline. The currencies of Australia and New Zealand fell after data showed industrial profits dropped in China, the South Pacific nations™ biggest trading partner. The yen weakened for a second day amid speculation Japan™s...

Yen Falls Toward Seven-Year Low as Industrial Production Shrinks

The yen declined toward a seven-year low against the dollar after government reports showed industrial production shrank in November and inflation slowed.Japan™s currency fell versus all of its 16 major counterparts as the data added to speculation the central bank will introduce more stimulus measures to try to raise the economy out of recession. The dollar headed for a second weekly gain versus the euro after data this week showed the...

Japan Shares Swing as Investors Weigh Data on Inflation, Output

Japanese shares fluctuated, with the Topix index headed for a weekly advance, as investors assessed data on inflation, industrial output and retail sales. Shippers rose while tiremakers fell.The Topix added less than 0.1 percent to 1,421.54 as of 9:02 a.m. in Tokyo, after retreating as much as 0.1 percent. The measure is poised for a 0.9 percent gain this week. The Nikkei 225 Stock...

Japan’s Inflation Slows for Fourth Month in Challenge to Kuroda

Japan™s inflation rate slowed for a fourth straight month, adding to central bank chief Haruhiko Kuroda™s challenges in reflating the world™s third-biggest economy.Consumer prices excluding fresh food increased 2.7 percent in November from a year earlier, the statistics bureau said today, matching a median projection in a Bloomberg News survey of economists. Stripped of the effect...

Dollar Tempers Best Annual Gain Since 2000 During Holiday Trade

The dollar weakened for a second day against the yen, following a five-day advance, amid speculation its recent climb was too rapid. The U.S. currency is headed for gains against all of its 16 major counterparts this year for the first time since 2000 as the Federal Reserve moves to raise interest rates next year for the first time since 2006. Australia™s dollar traded within a cent of its post-float low to its New Zealand peer. The ...

Gold Falls for Third Straight Day on U.S. Interest-Rate Outlook

Gold futures declined for the third straight day as gains in the U.S. economy bolstered the case for higher interest rates. Holdings in the SPDR Gold Trust, the world™s biggest exchange-traded fund backed by the metal, tumbled 1.6 percent yesterday to 712.9 metric tons, the biggest drop since June 2013. That marked the lowest since September 2008. Futures fell 8.4 percent in the...

China Stock Futures Rise on Bets Recent Losses are Excessive

China™s stock-index futures rose amid speculation the benchmark gauge™s biggest two-day loss in 18 months was excessive.Futures on the CSI 300 Index expiring in January, the most active contract, gained 0.9 percent to 3,277.40 as of 9:16 a.m. China Communications Construction Co. and other infrastructure companies may move after the government said it will boost financial support for domestic companies to develop business overseas. Energy...

Tokyo Stocks Open 0.28% Lower

Tokyo stocks opened 0.28 percent lower on Thursday as the yen's fall against the dollar took a breather.The Nikkei 225 index at the Tokyo Stock Exchange was down 49.39 points at 17,804.84 at the start.Trading is expected to be thin due to the Christmas holiday.In New York the Dow Jones Industrial Average edged to a fresh record in a holiday-shortened session Wednesday, one day after topping 18,000 points for the first time ever, closing up...

U.S. Stocks Little Changed as Indexes Erase Gain in Last Minutes

U.S. stocks were little changed as indexes erased gains in the final minutes of trading, after a five-day rally in equities that sent the Dow Jones Industrial Average above 18,000 for the first time. The Standard & Poor™s 500 Index fell less than 1 point to 0.2 percent to 2,081.92 at 1 p.m. in New York. Trading in S&P 500 companies was 38 percent below the 30-day average for this time of day. U.S. equity markets closed at 1...

Gold Falls for Second Day as U.S. GDP Growth Crimps Haven Demand

Gold futures fell for the second straight day as the U.S. economy expanded more than estimated, crimping demand for the precious metal as an alternative investment. The price dropped 2.2 percent last week on concern that the Federal Reserve will boost interest rates next year. Traders predict a 69 percent chance that the central bank will raise borrowing costs by September, futures data show. The U.S. economy expanded at a 5 percent...

Gold Falls for Second Day as U.S. GDP Growth Crimps Haven Demand

Gold futures fell for the second straight day as the U.S. economy expanded more than estimated, crimping demand for the precious metal as an alternative investment. The price dropped 2.2 percent last week on concern that the Federal Reserve will boost interest rates next year. Traders predict a 69 percent chance that the central bank will raise borrowing costs by September, futures data show. The U.S. economy expanded at a 5 percent...

Dow Average Tops 18,000 for First Time on U.S. Economic Growth

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose above 18,000 for the first time as faster-than-forecast growth in gross domestic product boosted confidence in the economy and overshadowed declines in health-care companies. The Dow average added 66.66 points, or 0.4 percent, to a record 18,026.10 at 4 p.m. in New York. The Standard & Poor™s 500 Index rose 0.2 percent to 2,082.21, also reaching an all-time high. Both gauges have advanced five...

Most U.S. Stocks Rise With Dow Average Above 18,000; Bonds Fall

U.S. stocks rose, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average trading above 18,000 for the first time, as a surge in economic growth overshadowed a drop in health-care shares. Treasuries fell, while the dollar climbed with oil. The Standard & Poor™s 500 advanced 0.2 percent to a record at 12:11 p.m in New York, while the Dow average added 76.17 points to 18,035.61. The Nasdaq 100 Index retreated 0.3 percent as biotechnology shares in...

European Stocks Rise to Post Biggest Six-Day Jump in Three Years

European stocks climbed for a sixth day amid better-than-expected U.S. economic-growth data. The Stoxx Europe 600 Index rose 0.6 percent to 344.06 at the close of trading. It briefly pared gains after a report showed that sales of new U.S. homes unexpectedly declined in November. The European stocks gauge posted its biggest six-day jump in three years, rising 6.4 percent. Commerce Department data showed the world™s biggest economy grew...

Oil Rises as Investors Weigh U.S. Supplies Against OPEC Strategy

Oil rose for the second time in three days as investors weighed a projected decline in U.S. crude stockpiles against signs that Iraq is joining other OPEC members in defending market share.West Texas Intermediate futures advanced as much as 0.8 percent in New York. Inventories in the U.S., the worlds largest consumer, probably dropped for a second week through Dec. 19, a Bloomberg...

Yen Falls to Two-Week Low on Reduced Haven Demand; Aussie Drops

The yen fell to a two-week low against the dollar as gains in global stocks cut demand for haven assets.The Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index reached a five-year high before data forecast to show the U.S. economy grew more than initially estimated in the third quarter. The euro was 0.1 percent from the lowest in more than two years amid speculation the European Central Bank will add stimulus next year. The Australian dollar slid as commodity prices...

Asian Stocks Fall First Day in Four as Commodity Shares Retreat

Asian stocks fell, with a gauge that excludes Japan heading for its first decline in four days, as commodity shares retreated after oil and metal futures declined. The MSCI Asia Pacific Excluding Japan Index lost 0.2 percent to 465.86 percent as of 9:08 a.m. in Seoul. Japanese markets are closed for a holiday. The Standard & Poors 500 Index and Dow Jones Industrial Average closed yesterday at all-time highs as U.S. shares rallied...

S&P 500 Climbs to Record After 3-Day Rally as Tech Shares Jump

The Standard & Poors 500 Index rose to a record as a surge in technology shares helped the benchmark index fully recover from a seven-day selloff in early December. Facebook Inc. and Intel Corp. rose more than 2 percent to pace gains among technology shares. The S&P 500 added 0.4 percent to 2,078.68 at 4 p.m. in New York, above its previous record close of 2,075.37 reached...

U.S. Stocks Little Changed After Rally; Energy Falls

U.S. stocks fluctuated, after the biggest three-day jump since 2011, as gains in technology shares offset a slump in biotechnology and the first drop in five days for energy companies. The Nasdaq Biotechnology Index slumped 2.6 percent as Gilead Sciences Inc. sank 14 percent after a drug-benefit manager blocked the companys $1,000 hepatitis treatment. Chevron Corp. lost 1.3 percent as energy companies were the worst performers in the...

Dollar Holds Gains on Monetary Policy Divergence; Kiwi Declines

The dollar held gains from last week against most major peers amid speculation the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates as early as April as other major central banks continue monetary easing.The U.S. currency advanced to match a two-year high versus the euro after European Central Bank Vice President Vitor Constancio told German magazine Wirtschaftswoche that policy makers arent ruling out quantitative easing. The greenback held...

Asian Stocks Advance Third Day as Materials Shares Lead Gains

Asian stocks rose for a third day, led by materials companies, as crude futures rebounded. Australias benchmark index headed for its biggest two-day gain in three years.The MSCI Asia Pacific Index rose 0.3 percent to 137.34 as of 9:05 a.m. in Tokyo. The gauge jumped by the most in two months on Dec. 19 amid a global equities rally after the Federal Reserve last week pledged to be patient on the timeline for interest-rate increases. Australias...

Japanese Stocks Gain a Third Day as Oil Price Rises, Yen Weakens

Japanese stocks rose for a third day, led by energy companies after crude oil prices gained and the yen held losses against the dollar. The Topix added 0.5 percent to 1,417.10 as of 9:01 a.m. in Tokyo as all but two of its 33 industry groups advanced. The measure has erased it losses for December and is on course to rise 8.7 percent this year. The Nikkei 225 Stock Average gained 0.2 percent to 17,651.33 today. The Bank of Japan releases...

S&P 500 Climbs Near Record Close After Three-Day Rally on Fed

U.S. stocks rose, sending the Standard & Poors 500 Index near its all-time high and erasing losses for December, after the Federal Reserve spurred the biggest three-day jump since 2011. The S&P 500 added 0.5 percent to 2,070.64 at 4 p.m. in New York, erasing all its losses for the month and approaching its previous closing high reached Dec. 5. The benchmark gauge is up 3.4 percent for the week, the most since October. Trading ...

Oil Rebounds From 5-Year Low as Market Most Volatile Since 2011

Oil rebounded in New York after slumping to a fresh five-year low as prices continued to swing amid the highest trading volatility since 2011. West Texas Intermediate climbed as much as 2.6 percent, trimming a fourth weekly drop. A measure of expected futures movements and a key gauge of options value was at the highest level since October 2011, data compiled by Bloomberg show. Saudi Arabia and OPEC would find it œdifficult, if not impossible...

Swiss Franc Slips Most Since 2013 on Negative Rates; Pound Rises

Switzerlands franc weakened the most in 18 months versus the euro after the nations central bank introduced negative interest rates to defend the currencys cap. The shared currency fell for a second day against the dollar as the Swiss National Bank decision boosted speculation the European Central Bank will expand stimulus measures next year. A gauge of the dollar reached a five-year high amid signals the Federal Reserves pledge to...

Asian Stocks Advance Most in Six Weeks Amid Global Equity Rally

Asian stocks headed for their largest advance in six weeks amid a global equity rally that sent U.S. equities surging. Japans Topix index jumped on a weaker yen ahead of a central bank policy decision.The MSCI Asia Pacific Index climbed 1.1 percent to 136.17 as of 9:08 a.m. in Tokyo, trimming its weekly decline to 0.7 percent, while the Topix added 2 percent. BOJ Governor Haruhiko Kuroda is expected to keep policy on hold today in Tokyo....

Japan Stocks Rise a Second Day as Fed Sparks Global Equity Rally

Japanese stocks jumped for a second day after U.S. equities posted the biggest two-day rally in three years amid rising confidence about the global economic outlook after the Federal Reserve pledged patience on interest rates. The Topix added 1.6 percent to 1,398.85 as of 9:01 a.m. in Tokyo, paring its loss this week to less than 0.1 percent. All of its 33 industry groups rose....

S&P 500 Caps Best Two-Day Gain Since 2011 Amid Global Rally

U.S. stocks rose, sending the Standard & Poors 500 Index to its best two-day gain in three years, as global equities rallied on the Federal Reserves pledge to be patient on boosting rates. The S&P 500 added 2.4 percent to 2,061.14 at 4 p.m. in New York, its largest one-day gain since January 2013. The index has climbed 4.5 percent over two days, the most since November 2011. The MSCI All-Country World Index soared 2 percent...

Gold Trades Near Two-Week Low as Fed Comments Boost Rates View

Gold held near a two-week low after U.S. policy makers dropped a pledge to keep borrowing costs low for a œconsiderable time, moving the Federal Reserve closer to raising rates for the first time since 2006 as the dollar rose.Bullion for immediate delivery traded at $1,189.78 an ounce at 8:21 a.m. in Singapore from $1,189.71 yesterday, when prices fell to $1,183.89, the lowest since Dec. 1, after the Feds change, according to Bloomberg...

Dollar Gains as Fed’s Yellen Emphasizes 2015 Rate Increase

The dollar advanced to almost a five-year high as Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen stressed that the central bank remains on pace to increase interest rates next year for the first time since 2006. The greenback extended gains after Yellen said that the shift in guidance means œthe committee considers it unlikely to begin the normalization process for at least the next couple of meetings. Officials held the rate at zero to 0.25 percent,...