Equities
Asian markets traded mixed on Thursday, amid concerns over China’s trade data. The Nikkei rallied 1.9% to 9093, a 6-week high, and the ASX 200 climbed 1.1% to 4330. The Hang Seng slipped .5% to 19963, and the Shanghai Composite declined .3% to 2112. The Kospi inched up 1 point to 1958.
In Europe, the major indexes rose, led by the mining sector, which rose .8%. The DAX gained .7% to 6996, the CAC40 advanced .9% to 3480, and the FTSE edged up 1 point to 5835. German chancellor, Angela Merkel, reiterated her intent to support the ECB’s efforts in strengthening the fragile euro zone.
US markets advanced as well, encouraged by upbeat earnings data. The Nasdaq led the gains, climbing 1% to 3063. The Dow ticked up 85 points to 13250, and the S&P 500 rose .7% to 1416.
Cisco shares surged 9.6% after it reported earnings which exceeded estimates, and boosted its dividend by 75%.
Facebook shares tumbled 6.3% to 19.87 as the lockup period came to an end, giving employees their first chance to cash out.
Currencies
The Euro-Yen jumped 1.1% to 98.09, while the Dollar traded mostly lower against other currencies. The Euro and Swiss Franc ticked up .6% to 1.2359 and .9718 respectively, and the Pound advanced .3% to 1.5738. The Canadian Dollar gained .3% to .9866, and the Australian Dollar inched up .1% to 1.0515. The Yen retreaded .5% to 79.38.
Economic Outlook
Weekly unemployment claims were roughly in line with estimates, coming it at 366K. Building permits rose to .81M from .76M, while housing starts were flat at .75M. The Philly Fed manufacturing index improved slightly from last month, rising to -7.1 from -12.9.
Asian markets traded mixed on Thursday, amid concerns over China’s trade data. The Nikkei rallied 1.9% to 9093, a 6-week high, and the ASX 200 climbed 1.1% to 4330. The Hang Seng slipped .5% to 19963, and the Shanghai Composite declined .3% to 2112. The Kospi inched up 1 point to 1958.
In Europe, the major indexes rose, led by the mining sector, which rose .8%. The DAX gained .7% to 6996, the CAC40 advanced .9% to 3480, and the FTSE edged up 1 point to 5835. German chancellor, Angela Merkel, reiterated her intent to support the ECB’s efforts in strengthening the fragile euro zone.
US markets advanced as well, encouraged by upbeat earnings data. The Nasdaq led the gains, climbing 1% to 3063. The Dow ticked up 85 points to 13250, and the S&P 500 rose .7% to 1416.
Cisco shares surged 9.6% after it reported earnings which exceeded estimates, and boosted its dividend by 75%.
Facebook shares tumbled 6.3% to 19.87 as the lockup period came to an end, giving employees their first chance to cash out.
Currencies
The Euro-Yen jumped 1.1% to 98.09, while the Dollar traded mostly lower against other currencies. The Euro and Swiss Franc ticked up .6% to 1.2359 and .9718 respectively, and the Pound advanced .3% to 1.5738. The Canadian Dollar gained .3% to .9866, and the Australian Dollar inched up .1% to 1.0515. The Yen retreaded .5% to 79.38.
Economic Outlook
Weekly unemployment claims were roughly in line with estimates, coming it at 366K. Building permits rose to .81M from .76M, while housing starts were flat at .75M. The Philly Fed manufacturing index improved slightly from last month, rising to -7.1 from -12.9.