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Asian markets mixed, Tokyo soars on weak yen

Agence France-PresseMay 10, 2013 12:31

Asian markets were mixed on Friday with Japanese stocks jumping more than three percent after the dollar surged above the 100 yen mark and positive jobs data out of the US also boosting sentiment. Tokyo soared 3.09 percent in mid-morning trade and was at 2.75 percent by the break following the dollar's overnight topping of 100 yen for the first time in four years, underscoring the Japanese currency's sharp decline in recent months.

Loonie dip as latest job numbers come in slightly below expectations

The Canadian PressMay 10, 2013 11:01

TORONTO - The Canadian dollar continued to drop Friday as commodity prices weakened, and the latest figures showed Canadian jobs growth for April came in slightly below expectations. The loonie was down 0.37 of a cent to 98.89 cents US. The dollar has been flirting with parity against the U.S. dollar this week amid heightened investor appetite and signs that the U.S. economy is recovering as it should. Kevin Headland of Manulife Asset Management says the loonie's recent strength has been the result of dropping currencies, especially in Asia.

Japan's Nikkei index jumps after dollar passes 100-yen mark for first time in 4 years

The Canadian PressMay 10, 2013 02:00

BANGKOK - Japan's benchmark stock index surged Friday after the dollar hit a four-year high against the yen. Markets elsewhere gained as traders digested a positive U.S. jobs report. The Nikkei 225 index in Tokyo jumped 2.9 per cent to close at 14,607.54, its highest level since January 2008, after the dollar traded above 100 yen for the first time in more than four years.

TSX, Wall Street markets ahead amid positive U.S. job claims data

The Canadian PressMay 9, 2013 13:15

TORONTO - North American markets were slightly ahead Thursday as the U.S. reported rosier-than-expected unemployment insurance numbers, a sign that the world's largest economy may be continuing with its recovery. The S The Canadian dollar was up 0.05 of a cent at 99.72 cents US. The U.S. Department of Labor said jobless claims dropped by 4,000 last week to a seasonally adjusted 323,000, indicating that there may be more hiring as the number of layoffs return to pre-recession levels. Economists had expected a slight uptick to 358,000.

Loonie declines amid dropping copper and oil prices, positive U.S. jobless data

The Canadian PressMay 9, 2013 13:15

TORONTO - The Canadian dollar made a small gain Thursday after enjoying a recent uptick from rising oil and gold prices. The loonie was down 0.41 of a cent at 99.26 cents US. The strength of the Canadian dollar — at times flirting with parity against the U.S. greenback this week — has been a sign of heightened investor appetite for risk amid optimism that the U.S. economic recovery is gaining momentum. Andrew Pyle, a portfolio manager with Scotia McLeod, says he doesn't expect it to hit that mark any time soon.

Asian stock markets mixed as Chinese shares fall on worse-than-expected inflation data

The Canadian PressMay 9, 2013 05:45

BANGKOK - Asian stock markets were mixed Thursday, as investors weighed an interest rate cut in South Korea against rising inflation in China. South Korea's Kospi index jumped 1.2 per cent to 1,972.70 after the Bank of Korea lowered its benchmark interest rate for the first time in seven months. In announcing that it was lowering the rate by a quarter percentage point to 2.5 per cent, the Bank of Korea became the latest central bank to take steps to boost flagging economic growth.

Yen firms as China PMI sparks flight to debt; Aussie languishes

Thomson ReutersMay 8, 2013 17:20

By Sophie Knight TOKYO (Reuters) - The yen gained across the board on Thursday, bouncing sharply off a 4-1/2-year low against the dollar and notching up a two-week high against the euro after a whiplash move in stocks prompted investors to scramble for safety in Japanese bonds. The yen was squeezed 1.5 percent up to 101.62 yen after investors took weak Chinese factory data as an excuse to topple the Nikkei from a 5-1/2-year high, sending it plummeting 7.3 percent and prompting a rush for Japanese debt.

TSX poised to open higher due to positive tone from world markets, commodities

The Canadian PressMay 8, 2013 09:37

TORONTO - The Toronto Stock Market was poised for a slightly higher open Wednesday, boosted by a generally positive tone in the world markets and commodity prices. The Canadian dollar was up 0.06 of a cent at 99.06 cents US. The Dow Jones industrial futures were ahead eight points to 14,991 after a record-breaking close Tuesday above 15,000. The Nasdaq futures climbed 3.5 points to 2,950, while the broader market measure, Standard and Poor's 500 futures index, was up 0.5 points at 1,621.10. The S

Canadian dollar ahead amid positive tone from world markets, commodities

The Canadian PressMay 8, 2013 09:32

TORONTO - The Canadian dollar was ahead Wednesday amid a generally positive tone on world markets and strengthened commodity prices. The loonie was ended the day up 0.11 of a cent to 99.67 cents US. Analysts were watching to see if the U.S. and international markets will continue on their paths of record highs, or if the lack of major economic news will result in some pullback. Ian Nakamoto, a portfolio manager with investment firm MacDougall, MacDougall and MacTier, said the Canadian dollar may be fuelled by confidence in the new Bank of Canada governor.

Canadian dollar climbs amid strong news from Japan and Australia

The Canadian PressMay 7, 2013 13:46

TORONTO - The Canadian dollar lifted Tuesday after Australia announced it was slashing its interest rate by a quarter percentage point. The loonie climbed 0.24 of a cent to 99.56 cents US at the close, surpassing a level not seen in more than two months. A surprise move from the Reserve Bank of Australia to lower its official interest rate to 2.75 per cent, amid some signs of a weakening economy, ran against news from Japan.