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Asian markets mixed, Tokyo soars on weak yen

Agence France-PresseMay 13, 2013 16:26
Asian markets were mixed on Friday with Japanese stocks jumping to their highest level in over five years after the dollar surged above the 100 yen mark and US jobs data also boosting sentiment. Tokyo closed up 2.93 percent, or 416.06 points at 14,607.54, following the dollar's overnight topping of 100 yen for the first time since April 2009, underscoring the Japanese currency's sharp decline in recent months. The benchmark Nikkei 225 index had earlier soared 3.09 percent in mid-morning trade. Its close was the best since January 4, 2008 when it ended at 14,691.41.

TSX, NY markets fall amid disappointing data from China, weak US retail spending

The Canadian PressMay 13, 2013 10:30
TORONTO - The Toronto stock market slipped Monday amid falling commodity prices as the latest data showed slightly smaller-than-expected increases in China's industrial production and retail sales. The S The Canadian dollar was up 0.10 of a cent to 98.99 cents US. U.S. retail sales edged up 0.1 per cent in April, boosted by increased spending on cars and clothing. March had seen a 0.5 per cent decline — its largest drop in nine months. Economists had expected another contraction brought on by a higher U.S. tax on Social Security that kicked off this year.

Portuguese official inflation slows in April

Agence France-PresseMay 13, 2013 07:46
Portuguese 12-month inflation was 0.2 percent in April and prices were steady in the month compared with the level in March, the national statistics institute Ine reported on Monday. In March, inflation was 0.5 percent and prices rose by 1.7 percent. The Portuguese government, which signalled on Sunday that it had reached agreement with the International Monetary Fund and European Union on new radical action to correct public finances, including steep tax increases, has forecast that inflation for the whole year will be 0.7 percent.

Asia stock markets rise after US releases better-than-expected retail sales data

The Canadian PressMay 13, 2013 00:30
BANGKOK - Asian stock markets rose Tuesday after data showed U.S. consumers revved up their retail spending last month. The Commerce Department in Washington said retail sales increased 0.1 per cent in April from March, an improvement from March's 0.5 per cent decline. Economists had forecast that sales declined by 0.3 per cent in April. The uptick in spending on items such as clothing, cars and electronics is likely to boost the country's growth figures for the current quarter.

European stocks mixed, euro falls against the dollar

Agence France-PresseMay 10, 2013 12:19
Europe's main stock markets were mixed but mostly stronger on Thursday while the euro eased against the dollar as traders digested the Bank of England's keeping its main interest rate unchanged, and booked profits after several days of gains. London's benchmark FTSE 100 index of top companies gained 0.13 percent to 6,592.18 points and Frankfurt's DAX 30 added 0.17 percent to 8,263.47 points while in Paris the CAC 40 slid by 0.85 percent in value to 3,922.70 points.

ING's first quarter earnings rise on asset sales; bank operations improve marginally

The Canadian PressMay 8, 2013 09:34
AMSTERDAM - Dutch financial company ING Groep NV reported Wednesday that its first-quarter earnings rose as it sold businesses and improved profit margins at its banking arm. Its insurance arm reported a loss. Net profit was 1.80 billion euros ($2.36 billion), compared with 728 million euros in the same period a year ago. This quarter's figure includes 940 million euros in net gains on divestments, mostly from the sale of its life insurance business in Asia.

Spain's Telefonica sees Q1 profit up 21 per cent but revenue in key Latin America market slumps

The Canadian PressMay 8, 2013 09:32
MADRID - Spanish telecoms company Telefonica said Wednesday its first-quarter net profit rose 21 per cent to 902 million euros ($1.18 billion) despite a fall in revenues in its key Latin American market. The company, which has mobile and fixed-line operations across Europe and Latin America, said that revenue from its business in Brazil had overtaken its domestic market for the first time. Sales in the Latin American country reached 3.263 billion euros, while a 16.4 per cent drop in recession-strapped Spain left income at 3.260 billion euros.

World shares near five-year high on growth optimism

May 7, 2013 12:55
By Marc Jones LONDON (Reuters) - World shares hit their highest level in almost five years on Tuesday as last week's strong U.S. jobs report continued to fuel optimism about the health of the global economy. Japanese stocks jumped in a delayed reaction to the data because Tokyo had been closed for a public holiday on Monday. The head of the European Central Bank added to the positive mood by saying it was ready to cut rates again if needed.

Japanese traders return from holiday in buoyant mood, sending Nikkei up to 5-year highs

The Canadian PressMay 7, 2013 01:30
LONDON - Japanese stocks outperformed all others Tuesday as traders in the country returned from a public holiday in buoyant mood, sending the Nikkei index above 14,000 for the first time in nearly five years. The Nikkei surged 3.6 per cent to 14,180.24 on its first day of trading following the Golden Week holiday — that's the first time the Nikkei has breached the 14,000 mark since June 2008.
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