Aust dollar steady at noon

The Australian dollar is relatively steady with no significant economic data or events to drive the currency market. At 12.00pm (AEDT) on Monday, the local unit was at US77.79c, down from US77.87c on Friday. During the morning it traded in a tight range, between US77.58c and US77.83c. With US markets closed for the Presidents' Day holiday on Monday night, Australian time, trade has been uneventful, OANDA Asia Pacific senior trader Stephen...

Gold Holds Two-Day Advance Before Greece Meets With Creditors

Gold held a two-day advance as euro-area finance ministers prepare to meet in Brussels amid an impasse over Greece™s financing. Bullion for immediate delivery traded at $1,230.04 an ounce at 9:04 a.m. in Singapore from $1,229.76 on Feb. 13, according to Bloomberg generic pricing. Prices rose for a second day on Feb. 13, trimming a weekly decline, as weaker U.S. consumer confidence added to concern that the economy is slowing. Finance...

Hong Kong Stocks Up 0.21% at Break

Hong Kong shares added 0.21 percent in the morning session Monday, taking a lead from a record close for the S&P 500 on Wall Street, while traders await crucial debt talks between Greece and its creditors later in the day. The benchmark Hang Seng Index rose 52.71 points to 24,735.25 by the break on turnover of HK$27.97 billion ($3.61 billion). Source : AF...

Japanese Stocks Follow U.S. Higher as Economy Exit Recession

Japanese stocks rose after U.S. equities climbed to a record and a report showed Asia™s second-biggest economy exited recession last quarter. Banks, insurers and brokerages led gains among industry groups. Yokohama Rubber Co. jumped 4.8 percent as the tiremaker raised its forecast dividend payments. Asics Corp. tumbled 9.9 percent after the sportswear maker forecast profit that...

China Shares Flat in Morning Trade

Chinese shares were flat in morning trade on Monday amid caution ahead of a long holiday for Chinese New Year, dealers said. The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index edged up 0.04 percent, or 1.30 points, to 3,205.13. The Shenzhen Composite Index, which tracks stocks on China's second exchange, rose 0.41 percent, or 6.37 points, to 1,575.93. China's financial markets will be closed for a week from Wednesday. Source : AF...