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Asia shares mixed despite stronger Japanese growth

Agence France-PresseMay 16, 2013 00:15

Asian shares were mixed on Thursday despite another record US stocks close and fresh data that showed Japan's economy grew faster than expected in the quarter to March. The dollar was little changed against the yen after investors adjusted positions on the greenback's recent surge, while the euro was weak on gloomy European growth data. Tokyo fell 0.39 percent, or 58.79 points, to 15,037.24, Sydney dropped 0.50 percent, or 26 points, to 5,165.7, while Seoul rose 0.79 percent, or 15.55 points, to 1,986.81.

Tokyo stocks down 1.08% by break

Agence France-PresseMay 15, 2013 20:46

Tokyo stocks lost early gains to close Thursday morning's session down 1.08 percent, despite US shares hitting all-time highs and fresh data that showed Japan's economy grew between January and March. The benchmark Nikkei 225 index, which closed at its highest level in more than five years on Wednesday, was down 163.08 points to 14,932.95, while the Topix index of all first-section shares declined 1.45 percent, or 18.19 points, at 1,234.66.

Canadian dollar headed lower amid softening copper prices, European markets

The Canadian PressMay 15, 2013 09:53

TORONTO - The Canadian dollar headed lower Wednesday due to softening world markets and commodity prices, particularly copper. The loonie was down 0.05 of a cent to 98.28 cents US. The price of July copper dipped two cents to $3.27, signalling a weakening outlook for China and Europe and leaving the Canadian dollar vulnerable to more declines. The loonie was close to parity with the U.S. greenback last week. The June crude contract was down 98 cents to US$93.23 a barrel, while June gold bullion fell $29.60 to US$1,394.90 an ounce — its lowest price in a month.

Toronto index falls, while New York lifted amid negative economic data

The Canadian PressMay 15, 2013 09:53

TORONTO - The Toronto stock market plunged more than 100 points Wednesday as traders digested a slew of economic data signalling a possible slowdown in both the Canadian and U.S. economies. The S The Canadian dollar was down 0.02 of a cent at 98.31 cents US.

Dow, S&P close at record highs, building on momentum of recent gains calendar

The Canadian PressMay 14, 2013 10:45

TORONTO - North American markets closed higher Tuesday, building on the momentum of recent record highs as investors bet that the upward trend has not yet run its course. The S Both the Dow Jones industrial index and S "Markets, globally, in general are on the rise," said Gareth Watson, vice-president of the investment management group at Richardson GMP Ltd.

Canadian dollar weakens on falling commodity prices, softer world markets

The Canadian PressMay 14, 2013 10:00

TORONTO - The Canadian dollar fell Tuesday as commodities continued to trade lower after beginning the week in negative territory. The loonie was down of 0.58 of a cent to 98.33 cents US. The June crude oil contract dipped 96 cents to US$94.21 a barrel, June gold bullion dropped $9.80 to US$1,424.50 an ounce and July copper dipped eight cents to US$3.28 a pound.

Small euro coins may be dropped

Agence France-PresseMay 14, 2013 09:01

Small change in the euro, one and two-cent coins, expensive to make and a nuisance for many, may have no future, the European Commission said Tuesday. Small and awkward they may be: but they have cost the eurozone about 1.4 billion euros since 2002, the Commission said. The Commission outlined four possible scenarios for the coins, based on a cost-benefit analysis of their use -- the status quo, making cheaper versions, and a speedy or a gradual withdrawal. It said public attitudes are mixed overall.

Asian stock markets mostly up on the heels of improving small business sentiment in the US

The Canadian PressMay 14, 2013 06:00

BANGKOK - Enthusiasm on Wall Street sparked by another positive report on the U.S. economy helped push most Asian stock markets higher Wednesday. The National Federation of Independent Business reported a slight improvement in confidence among small business owners in the U.S. in April. That helped boost the Dow Jones industrial average to close at a record high Tuesday. "A combination of further improvement of economic performance and low inflation in the US should keep risk appetite buoyant," said analysts at Credit Agricole CIB in Hong Kong in an email commentary.

Dollar higher, yen slips again after G7 meeting

Agence France-PresseMay 13, 2013 17:57

The US dollar edged higher Monday following last week's strong gains and the yen slipped again after G7 finance chiefs reiterated over the weekend their pledge against competitive devaluations. At 2100 GMT, the euro traded at $1.2975, compared to $1.2992 late Friday, holding in a narrow range during a day with little news to move trade. The dollar picked up to 101.82 yen from 101.59, but pulled back from the 102-yen line in early trade, while the euro rose to 132.11 yen compared to 132.05 yen on Friday.

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.