Market Update

Spending on construction projects in the United States increased in March but the increase came below market expectations, official data showed. U.S. construction spending increased by 0.2% in March to reach a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1.51 trillion, according to data by the U.S. Department of Commerce released on …

The headline Canada Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) registered a seasonally adjusted reading of 57.2 in April, down from 58.5 in March. The reading signals the third-strongest growth in operating conditions on record, according to IHS Markit’s report released on Monday. “April data signaled another robust overall expansion in operating …

The manufacturing sector in the United States continued to expand but at a slower pace during April compared with the previous month, data showed on Monday. The manufacturing purchasing managers’ index (PMI) declined to 60.7 last month from a record high of 64.7 in March, according to the Institute for …

The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) opened the first week of May on a positive note, after recording losses last week. Wall Street investors are expecting a rebound from the negative impacts of the Coronavirus pandemic, and optimistic about large listed companies and corporations achieving positive results. The Dow Jones …

The head of the German Hospital Association, Gerald Gass, told the widespread newspaper Bild that the stability of the number of new cases of Covid-19 in Germany raises hopes that the burden will not be increased on intensive care units. “We are looking for the numbers of new cases to …

Today, Monday, the dollar clung to its recent rally, as investors were cautious at the start of a week full of central bank meetings and important US economic data to elicit indications of global inflation outlook and the reactions of policymakers. Trading was limited due to a holiday in both …

The European Commission proposed that Member States ease the current restrictions on non-essential travel into the block for those who have been vaccinated. The travel ban has been in place for over a year amid the continuous surge in COVID-19 cases. The announcement raised prospects for the gradual reopening of …

Commercial and shipping sources said today that LNG shipments are being diverted away from ports in India, as the acceleration of coronavirus infections there undermines domestic demand for gas, according to Reuters. Last week, at least four LNG shipments from India were diverted to other locations in Asia instead, the …

Data on Monday showed that German retail sales in March recorded the largest year-on-year increase since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, with some isolation measures eased, raising purchases of clothing and shoes. The Federal Statistical Office said that retail sales jumped 11% compared with the same period a year …

Oil prices plunged on Monday, as a catastrophic second wave of the Coronavirus pandemic in India undermined a recovery in fuel demand there, overshadowing optimism about a strong recovery in fuel demand in developed countries and China in the second half of the year. Brent crude for July delivery fell …