Market Update

The European Central Bank reported Monday that the euro zone’s current account surplus narrowed in February due to a decline in net exports of goods and services. The bloc, which includes 19 euro-trading nations, recorded a current account surplus of 25.9 billion euros in February, down from 34.7 billion in …

Oil prices fell on Monday, as the increase in coronavirus cases in India and other countries raised fears of stronger measures to contain the pandemic that would affect economic activity and demand for basic commodities such as crude. Brent crude was down 23 cents, or 0.3%, to $ 66.54 a …

European stocks rose on Monday, extending their rise to unprecedented levels, as optimism about a strong start to the business results season offsets worries about a return to the global incidence of COVID-19 cases. The pan-European STOXX 600 index rose 0.1%, the fifth consecutive session of gains, while a euro-zone …

Data from Japan’s Finance Ministry showed on Monday that the country’s exports jumped 16.1% in March compared to the same period a year ago, as demand for goods recovered from low levels reached last year due to the pandemic. The reading compares with an 11.6 increase that economists had forecast …

The gold rose on Monday, hovering near a seven-week high it reached in the previous session, as prices were supported by the drop in the dollar and the decline in US Treasury bond yields. Spot gold rose 0.1% to $1777.65 an ounce, after hitting its highest level since February 25 …

Japan’s TOPIX reversed direction to close lower on Monday, while the Nikkei was little changed on concerns about mounting COVID-19 infections, overshadowing gains in chip-related stocks. The broader TOPIX index fell 0.22% to close at 1956.56 points, while the Nikkei index trimmed its gains to close, up 0.01% to 29,685.37 …

The United States Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller, the newest member to join the Fed’s board, said on Friday the U.S. economy will see strong performance this year as the economy reopens and more people gets vaccinated. “I think the economy is ready to rip. Everyone is getting a lot …

Oil prices declined on Friday falling to keep a perfect score this week after rising for four consecutive sessions, thus limiting their weekly gains. Brent crude futures for June delivery lost 17 cents, or 0.3%, to finish at $66.77 per barrel, registering a weekly rise of 6.1%. Meanwhile, the West …

Gold prices rose on Friday for the second consecutive session to expand their strong weekly gains. A fluctuating performance by the U.S. Dollar (USD) and a decline in Treasury bond yields helped the yellow metal notch its biggest weekly rise since the beginning of the year. Gold futures for June …

European stocks maintained its rally on Friday to new record highs, finishing the week with another positive performance on the back of strong economic data and recovery signs. The STOXX Europe 600 index rose by 0.9% to settle at a new all-time high of 442.20 points. The auto sector, which …