Crude falls on Fed stimulus tapering expectations

Investing.com - Oil prices slid on Friday amid expectations for the Federal Reserve to announce plans to trim its USD85 billion in monthly asset purchases either next week or early in 2014.

Fed bond purchases aim to spur recovery by driving down interest rates, weakening the dollar while they remain in place, though talk of their dismantling strengthens the greenback.

A stronger greenback makes oil a less attractive commodity on dollar-denominated exchanges.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, light sweet crude futures for delivery in January traded at USD96.59 a barrel during U.S. trading, down 0.93%.

The commodity hit a session low of USD96.27 and a high of USD97.61. The January contract settled up 0.06% at USD97.50 a barrel on Thursday.

Oil futures were likely to find support at USD92.57 a barrel, the low from Dec. 2, and resistance at USD98.75 a barrel, Tuesday's high.

Benign wholesale pricing data released earlier managed to keep expectations firm that the Fed remains on course to begin dismantling its bond-purchasing program at its Dec. 17-18 policy meeting or early next year.

The Labor Department reported earlier that the U.S. producer price index fell 0.1% last month, in line with expectations, after a 0.2% decline in October.

Core producer price inflation, which excludes food and energy, rose 0.1% in November after a 0.2% increase the previous month, also in line with consensus forecasts.

Fuel inventory data released earlier this week dampened prices as well.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration said in its weekly report that U.S. crude oil inventories fell by 10.59 million barrels in the week ended Dec. 6, well beyond expectations for a decline of 2.95 million barrels, due in part to a drop in imports.

Total U.S. crude oil inventories stood at 375.2 million barrels as of last week.

The report also showed that total motor gasoline inventories increased by 6.72 million barrels, compared to expectations for a gain of 1.79 million barrels, which was bearish for crude.

Stockpiles of distillate, which include diesel and heating oil, rose by 4.54 million barrels compared to market calls for a gain of 937,000.

Meanwhile on the ICE Futures Exchange, Brent oil futures for January delivery were down 0.10% at USD108.57 a barrel, up USD11.98 from its U.S. counterpart.

Investing.com offers an extensive set of professional tools for the financial markets.
Read more News on Investing.com and download the new Investing.com Stocks & Finance App for Android!

08.10 | 0 komentar | Read More

Forex - Dollar gains as market braces for Fed stimulus taper

Investing.com - The dollar was mixed to higher against most major currencies on Friday in a quiet session marked by expectations for the Federal Reserve to announce plans to taper its USD85 billion in monthly asset purchases soon.

Wholesale pricing data that met market forecasts earlier cemented views the Fed will either announce plans to wind down bond purchases at a policy meeting next week or give a clear signal when such a move may occur, though profit taking sent the greenback into negative territory against some currencies.

Monthly asset purchases in place for a year now have weakened the dollar by depressing interest rates to spur on economic recovery.

In U.S. trading on Friday, EUR/USD was down 0.14% at 1.3735.

The Labor Department reported earlier that the U.S. producer price index fell 0.1% last month, in line with expectations, after a 0.2% decline in October.

Core producer price inflation, which excludes food and energy, rose 0.1% in November after a 0.2% increase the previous month, also in line with consensus forecasts.

Investors interpreted the data as another cue to prompt the Fed to begin tapering its USD85 billion a month asset purchase program at its Dec. 17-18 policy meeting or in early 2014.

Meanwhile in Europe, Eurostat, the statistical arm of the European Union, reported that employment fell by 0.8% in the euro area in the third quarter, in line with expectations.

The euro saw some demand as expectations for further monetary easing continued to wane after the European Central Bank left monetary policy unchanged at its meeting this month following a surprise rate cut in November.

The greenback was up against the pound, with GBP/USD down 0.34% at 1.6295.

The dollar was down against the yen, with USD/JPY down 0.15% at 103.22, and up against the Swiss franc, with USD/CHF up 0.08% at 0.8899.

The dollar was down against its cousins in Canada, Australia and New Zealand, with USD/CAD down 0.44% at 1.0593, AUD/USD up 0.29% at 0.8964 and NZD/USD trading up 0.21% at 0.8267.

The dollar index, which tracks the performance of the greenback versus a basket of six other major currencies, was up 0.05% at 80.21.

Investing.com offers an extensive set of professional tools for the financial markets.
Read more News on Investing.com and download the new Investing.com Stocks & Finance App for Android!

08.10 | 0 komentar | Read More

Forex - Dollar gains as U.S. retail sales point to Fed tapering

Investing.com - The dollar rose against most major currencies on Thursday after better-than-expected U.S. retail sales figure fueled market expectations that the Federal Reserve is moving closer to tapering the pace of its USD85 billion in monthly asset purchases, possibly next week.

In U.S. trading on Wednesday, EUR/USD was down 0.31% at 1.3743.

The Commerce Department reported earlier that U.S. retail sales rose 0.7% in November, beating market expectations for a 0.6% increase. Core retail sales, which are stripped of automobiles, rose 0.4%, well above forecasts for a 0.2% increase.

The data kept expectations strong that the Federal Reserve will soon decide to taper its USD85 billion in monthly bond purchases, possibly at its Dec. 17-18 policy meeting if not in early 2014.

Monthly bond purchases aim to drive recovery by depressing long-term interest rates, weakening the dollar as a side effect, though talk of their dismantling can bolster the U.S. currency.

Elsewhere, the U.S. Department of Labor said the number of individuals filing for initial jobless claims assistance last week rose to a two-month high of 368,000, far surpassing expectations for an increase to 320,000 from the previous week's revised total of 300,000.

Markets shrugged off the news, attributing the increase to holiday volatility typical this time of year, while a budget deal underway in the U.S. Congress also sent the dollar rising amid sentiments that fiscal uncertainties may fade and further convince the Fed the economy is in less need of monetary support.

Meanwhile in Europe, industrial production in the euro area fell by 1.1% in October and rose just 0.2% from a year earlier.

Economists were forecasting a monthly increase of 0.3% and an annual gain of 1.1%, and the disappointing readings gave investors reason to sell the euro for dollars on Thursday.

The greenback was up against the pound, with GBP/USD down 0.19% at 1.6346.

The dollar was up against the yen, with USD/JPY up 0.82% at 103.27, and up against the Swiss franc, with USD/CHF up 0.37% at 0.8896.

The Swiss franc softened after the Swiss National Bank said it was maintaining the minimum exchange rate on the franc at 1.20 per euro and its benchmark interest rate unchanged at zero, after its final policy meeting of the year.

The dollar was up against its cousins in Canada, Australia and New Zealand, with USD/CAD up 0.49% at 1.0642, AUD/USD down 1.24% at 0.8937 and NZD/USD trading down 0.14% at 0.8246.

The Australian dollar came under heavy pressure earlier after Reserve Bank Governor Glenn Stevens said the country needed an exchange rate close to 0.8500.

The dollar index, which tracks the performance of the greenback versus a basket of six other major currencies, was up 0.42% at 80.20.

On Friday, the U.S. is to round up the week with data on producer price inflation.

Investing.com offers an extensive set of professional tools for the financial markets.
Read more News on Investing.com and download the new Investing.com Stocks & Finance App for Android!

08.10 | 0 komentar | Read More

Siemens: AGM on Jan 30, 2014

Dec 13, 2013, 12.26 AM IST

Siemens has informed that the 56th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Company will be held January 30, 2014.

Like this story, share it with millions of investors on M3

Siemens: AGM on Jan 30, 2014

Siemens has informed that the 56th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Company will be held January 30, 2014.

Like this story, share it with millions of investors on M3

Siemens: AGM on Jan 30, 2014

Siemens has informed that the 56th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Company will be held January 30, 2014.

Comments (1)   .   Share  .  Email  .  Print  .  A+A-

08.10 | 0 komentar | Read More

Forex - Dollar slips ahead of Fed policy meeting

Investing.com - The dollar extended Tuesday's losses into Wednesday as uncertainty continued to build over when the Federal Reserve will begin tapering the pace of its USD85 billion in monthly asset purchases.

In U.S. trading on Wednesday, EUR/USD was up 0.21% at 1.3789.

A surprisingly strong November jobs report bolstered the dollar in recent sessions by fanning talk the Fed may announce plans to taper the pace of its USD85 billion in monthly bond purchases at its Dec. 17-18 monetary policy meeting.

Elsewhere, lawmakers agreed on a way out of a budget impasse that could clear up U.S. fiscal uncertainties and convince the Fed it no longer needs to support the economy with monetary tools.

Senate Democrats and Republicans agreed on a deal setting a 2014 budget at USD1.012 trillion, and a 2015 budget at USD1.014 trillion in a fiscal plan that would reduce automatic spending cuts and deficit levels by USD23 billion over two years.

Still, a general murkiness as to whether or not the U.S. central bank will wait until early 2014 after reviewing more economic indicators before deciding on tapering softened the greenback on Wednesday.

The greenback was up against the pound, with GBP/USD down 0.36% at 1.6386.

The dollar was down against the yen, with USD/JPY down 0.28% at 102.57, and down against the Swiss franc, with USD/CHF down 0.12% at 0.8864.

The dollar was mixed against its cousins in Canada, Australia and New Zealand, with USD/CAD down 0.10% at 1.0591, AUD/USD down 0.85% at 0.9072 and NZD/USD trading down 0.34% at 0.8282.

The dollar index, which tracks the performance of the greenback versus a basket of six other major currencies, was down 0.11% at 79.88.

On Thursday, the U.S. is to produce data on retail sales as well as the weekly report on initial jobless claims.

Investing.com offers an extensive set of professional tools for the financial markets.
Read more News on Investing.com and download the new Investing.com Stocks & Finance App for Android!

08.10 | 0 komentar | Read More

U.S. stocks fall on U.S. budget deal; Dow drops 0.81%

Investing.com - U.S. stocks dropped on Wednesday after lawmakers agreed on a way out of a budget impasse, which left investors concluding the Federal Reserve is now more likely to begin tapering its USD85 billion in monthly bond purchases.

Fed asset purchases drive down interest rates to spur recovery, boosting stock prices in the process, and talk of their dismantling can dampen stock prices by fanning uncertainty as to how equities will perform without a monetary crutch.

At the close of U.S. trading, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.81%, the S&P 500 index fell 1.13%, while the Nasdaq Composite index fell 1.40%.

Congressional Democrats and Republicans agreed on a deal setting a 2014 budget at USD1.012 trillion, and a 2015 budget at USD1.014 trillion in a fiscal compromise that would reduce automatic spending cuts and deficit levels by USD23 billion over two years.

The deal left investors betting that the U.S. central bank is closer to tapering the pace of its monthly asset purchases bet it next week or in a couple of months, which will take away some of the monetary support the Fed has give stock markets for over a year.

Leading Dow Jones Industrial Average performers included Visa, up 3.09%, Coca-Cola, up 0.66%, and Home Depot, up 0.46%.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average's worst performers included Nike, down 3.05%, UnitedHealth Group, down 2.67%, and Pfizer, down 2.25%.

European indices, meanwhile, finished lower.

After the close of European trade, the EURO STOXX 50 fell 0.47%, France's CAC 40 fell 0.10%, while Germany's DAX 30 fell 0.41%. Meanwhile, in the U.K. the FTSE 100 finished down 0.24%.

On Thursday, the U.S. is to produce data on retail sales as well as the weekly report on initial jobless claims.

Investing.com offers an extensive set of professional tools for the financial markets.
Read more News on Investing.com and download the new Investing.com Stocks & Finance App for Android!

08.10 | 0 komentar | Read More

Gold gains as market downplays talk of December stimulus taper

Investing.com - Gold prices shot up on Tuesday after investors dismissed market murmurings that the Federal Reserve may decide to taper the pace of its monthly bond purchases at its Dec. 17-18 monetary policy meeting due to Friday's better-than-expected November jobs report.

On the Comex division of the New York Mercantile Exchange, gold futures for February delivery traded at USD1,260.20 during U.S. afternoon hours, up 2.11%.

Gold prices hit a session low of USD1,237.40 a troy ounce and high of USD1,267.30 a troy ounce.

Gold futures were likely to find support at USD1,224.80 a troy ounce, Monday's low, and resistance at USD1,293.60, the high from Nov. 14.

The February contract settled up 0.42% at USD1,234.20 a troy ounce on Monday.

Gold prices fell in recent sessions after the U.S. Labor Department reported on Friday that the economy picked up 203,000 jobs in November, beating expectations for a 180,000 increase and up from a downwardly revised 200,000 rise the previous month.

Also on Friday, data revealed the preliminary Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan consumer sentiment index increased to 82.5 in December from 75.1 the previous month, far surpassing expectations for a 76.0 reading.

Both reports sparked talk that the Federal Reserve may begin scaling back its USD85 billion in monthly bond purchases possibly this month.

Bond purchases have supported gold prices for over a year by weakening the dollar, which trades inversely with the yellow metal.

By Tuesday, investors traded on expectations that the Fed remains on course to considering tapering in early 2014, which gave gold prices room to rise.

Elsewhere on the Comex, silver for March delivery was up 3.23% at USD20.337 a troy ounce, while copper for March delivery was up 0.24% and trading at USD3.266 a pound.

Investing.com offers an extensive set of professional tools for the financial markets.
Read more News on Investing.com and download the new Investing.com Stocks & Finance App for Android!

08.10 | 0 komentar | Read More

Forex - Dollar slips as uncertainty grows of Fed stimulus tapering

Investing.com - The dollar traded lower against most major currencies on Tuesday amid growing uncertainty as to when the Federal Reserve will decide to begin tapering the pace of its USD85 billion in monthly asset purchases.

In U.S. trading on Tuesday, EUR/USD was up 0.19% at 1.3764.

A surprisingly strong November jobs report bolstered the dollar in recent sessions by fanning talk the Federal Reserve may announce plans to taper the pace of its USD85 billion in monthly bond purchases at its Dec. 17-18 monetary policy meeting.

Friday data revealed that the U.S. economy added 203,000 jobs in November, beating expectations for a 180,000 increase.

Also on Friday, the preliminary Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan consumer sentiment index increased to 82.5 in December from 75.1 the previous month, far surpassing expectations for a 76.0 reading.

By Monday, renewed uncertainty as to whether or not the U.S. central bank will wait until early 2014 after reviewing more data before deciding on tapering softened the greenback.

The euro, meanwhile, continued to see support due to a surprise European Central Bank decision to hold off on implementing fresh monetary stimulus measures at its December meeting, including introducing negative interest rates, after surprising investors with a rate cut in November.

In a speech on Tuesday, ECB President Mario Draghi urged governments to complete a banking union, saying it was crucial at both a national and European level.

The greenback was down against the pound, with GBP/USD up 0.13% at 1.6450.

The pound enjoyed support after Bank of England Governor Mark Carney said Monday that the U.K. economy had regained considerable strength in recent months.

Elsewhere, data released earlier Tuesday revealed that U.K. industrial output shot up in October, which fueled expectations that the BoE may tighten monetary policy ahead of other central banks.

The Office for National Statistics said industrial output increased by 0.4% in October, in line with forecasts and up 3.2% from a year earlier, the largest on-year gain since January 2011.

The ONS said manufacturing production also rose 0.4% in October and was 2.7% higher on a year-over-year basis, the fastest annual growth since May 2011. Economists had forecast a 0.4% monthly increase and 2.9% annual gain.

In a separate report, the ONS said the U.K. trade deficit narrowed to GBP9.73 billion in October from an upwardly revised deficit of GBP10.10 billion in September. Economists had expected the deficit to shrink to GBP9.35 billion.

The deficit on goods trade with the European Union rose to a record of almost GBP6.5 billion, from GBP6.2 billion in September.

The dollar was down against the yen, with USD/JPY down 0.53% at 102.72, and down against the Swiss franc, with USD/CHF down 0.39% at 0.8869.

The dollar was down against its cousins in Canada, Australia and New Zealand, with USD/CAD down 0.16% at 1.0610, AUD/USD up 0.48% at 0.9154 and NZD/USD trading up 0.28% at 0.8305.

The dollar index, which tracks the performance of the greenback versus a basket of six other major currencies, was down 0.26% at 79.96.

Investing.com offers an extensive set of professional tools for the financial markets.
Read more News on Investing.com and download the new Investing.com Stocks & Finance App for Android!

08.10 | 0 komentar | Read More

U.S. stocks gain on data, Fed taper talk weighs; Dow rises 0.03%

Investing.com - U.S. stocks rose on Monday amid optimism for a more robust U.S. economy down the road though uncertainty as to how stocks will react to an eventual Federal Reserve decision to wind down stimulus tools capped gains.

At the close of U.S. trading, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.03%, the S&P 500 index rose 0.18%, while the Nasdaq Composite index rose 0.15%.

Data released last week continued to boost stock prices Monday by fanning hopes for a more robust U.S. economy down the road.

The Department of Labor Friday that the U.S. economy added 203,000 jobs in November, beating expectations for a 180,000 increase and up from a downwardly revised 200,000 rise the previous month.

In the private sector, 196,000 jobs were added last month compared to expectations for a 180,000 rise, after an increase of 214,000 in October.

The report also said the U.S. unemployment rate fell to 7.0% in November, from 7.3% in October, beating expectations for a downtick to 7.2%.

Also on Friday, the preliminary Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan consumer sentiment index increased to 82.5 in December from 75.1 the previous month, far surpassing expectations for a 76.0 reading.

The numbers boosted stock prices by stoking sentiments that a healthier U.S. economy will lead to healthier corporate fundamentals.

Uncertainty over the fate of monetary stimulus measures capped gains.

Stimulus tools such as the Fed's USD85 billion in monthly bond purchases drive down interest rates to spur recovery, boosting stock prices in the process, though talk of their dismantling can dampen stock prices by fanning uncertainty as to how equities will perform without a monetary crutch.

Earlier Monday, Fed St. Louis President James Bullard said the chances of a Fed decision to taper asset purchases are growing now that the labor market has shown improvement.

'A small taper might recognize labor market improvement while still providing the Committee the opportunity to carefully monitor inflation during the first half of 2014,' Bullard said in prepared remarks of a speech he delivered earlier.

'Should inflation not return toward target, the Committee could pause tapering at subsequent meetings.'

Many investors expect tapering to begin early in 2014, though some have not ruled out the possibility of a start date beginning at the Fed's Dec. 17-18 policy meeting.

Leading Dow Jones Industrial Average performers included General Electric, up 0.95%, Chevron, up 0.90%, and JPMorgan Chase, up 0.83%.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average's worst performers included McDonald's, down 1.13%, The Travelers Companies, down 0.62%, and Walt Disney, down 0.48%.

European indices, meanwhile, finished higher.

After the close of European trade, the EURO STOXX 50 rose 0.40%, France's CAC 40 rose 0.11%, while Germany's DAX 30 rose 0.25%. Meanwhile, in the U.K. the FTSE 100 finished up 0.11%.

Investing.com offers an extensive set of professional tools for the financial markets.
Read more News on Investing.com and download the new Investing.com Stocks & Finance App for Android!

08.10 | 0 komentar | Read More

Forex - USD/JPY gain on U.S. jobs, sentiment reports

Investing.com - The dollar firmed against the yen on Monday after better-than-expected U.S. jobs and consumer-sentiment reports cemented expectations for the Federal Reserve to begin tapering its monthly asset-purchasing program in the near future.

In U.S. trading on Monday, USD/JPY was trading at 103.24, up 0.38%, up from a session low of 102.89 and off a high of 103.32.

The pair was likely to find support at 101.62, Thursday's low, and resistance at 103.38, the high from Dec. 3.

The dollar continued to enjoy support after Friday data revealed that the U.S. economy added 203,000 jobs in November, beating expectations for a 180,000 increase and up from a downwardly revised 200,000 rise the previous month.

In the private sector, 196,000 jobs were added last month compared to expectations for a 180,000 rise, after an increase of 214,000 in October.

The report also said the U.S. unemployment rate fell to 7.0% in November, from 7.3% in October, beating expectations for a downtick to 7.2%.

Also on Friday, the preliminary Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan consumer sentiment index increased to 82.5 in December from 75.1 the previous month, far surpassing expectations for a 76.0 reading.

The data kept expectations firmly in place that the Federal Reserve will begin scaling back its USD85 billion in monthly bond purchases in the coming months, which weaken the dollar to spur recovery.

Earlier Monday, Fed St. Louis President James Bullard said the chances of a Fed decision to taper asset purchases are growing now that the labor market has shown improvement.

'A small taper might recognize labor market improvement while still providing the Committee the opportunity to carefully monitor inflation during the first half of 2014,' Bullard said in prepared remarks of a speech he delivered earlier.

'Should inflation not return toward target, the Committee could pause tapering at subsequent meetings.'

The yen, meanwhile, has come under pressure recently amid expectations for the Bank of Japan to beef up stimulus programs to meet its 2% inflation target by 2015.

Earlier this month, BoJ Governor Haruhiko Kuroda pledged to counter any new downside risks to the bank's inflation goal, saying the BoJ would act by "adjusting monetary policy without hesitation."

The yen was down against the pound and down against the euro, with GBP/JPY up 0.83% and trading at 169.55 and EUR/JPY trading up 0.62% at 141.82.

On Tuesday, Japan is to publish its BSI manufacturing index and a report on tertiary industry activity.

Investing.com offers an extensive set of professional tools for the financial markets.
Read more News on Investing.com and download the new Investing.com Stocks & Finance App for Android!

08.10 | 0 komentar | Read More

Singapore hit by rare outbreak of rioting

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - A crowd set fire to vehicles and clashed with police in the Indian district of Singapore late on Sunday, in a rare outbreak of rioting in the city state.

The incident reportedly started after a private bus hit and killed a foreign worker in the Little India area. Television footage showing a crowd of people smashing the windscreen of a bus, and at least three police cars being flipped over.

Singapore Police Force said the riot started after a fatal traffic accident. "Shortly after, a riot broke out involving a crowd of about 400 subjects where the subjects damaged five police vehicles and one ambulance," it said in a statement, adding that around 10 police officers were injured.

Little India is usually packed with people on Sundays, with many construction workers from Bangladesh and India gathering there to spend their day off.

Incidents like this are rare in Singapore, which has tough laws on rioting that carry a sentence of up to seven years in prison and possible caning.

"This is a serious incident which has resulted in injuries and damage to public property," said Teo Chee Hean, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Home Affairs. "Police will spare no efforts to apprehend the subjects involved in the riot."

The breakout is likely to fuel concerns about discontent among low-paid foreign workers. Last year Singapore saw its biggest outbreak of labour unrest in years when around 170 bus drivers from mainland China went on strike illegally.

Footage on Channel NewsAsia showed at least two vehicles on fire and debris strewn across Racecourse Road, one of the main thoroughfares in Little India. Many other private cars were reported to have been damaged as well.

Police reported at 1 a.m. on Monday morning (1700 GMT on Sunday) that the incident was under control.

(Reporting by Rachel Armstrong; Editing by Mark Trevelyan)

08.10 | 0 komentar | Read More

Forex - JPY weakens on Kuroda remarks, Q3 GDP revised data ahead

Investing.com - The Japanese yen weakened smartly ahead of revised GDP data after remarks at the weekend by Bank of Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda that scaling back current aggressive monetary policy may be more difficult than a five-year effort that ended in 2006.

JPY/USD traded at 103.15, up 0.29%, on the comments and ahead of revised figures for third quarter GDP with a forecast of +0.4% quarter-on-quarter at 0850 local time (2350 GMT).

Kuroda said on Saturday at the University of Tokyo, that the scale of the current program is an issue.

"The exit from the current monetary easing may be more difficult" than when the BOJ terminated its quantitative easing program because it has been buying much larger amounts of long-term Japanese government bonds," Kuroda said, adding that the main problem facing Japan is protracted deflation and aggressive easing remains the answer.

"How should we raise inflation expectations through policy in a situation in which there is little room to further lower nominal interest rates? This is the challenge we are faced with, and the QQE is the prescription."

AUD/USD traded at 0.9120, up 0.17%, ahead of November ANZ job ads at 1130 local time (0030 GMT).

Last week, the euro rose to five week highs against the dollar on Friday as the dollar shrugged off a report showing that the U.S. economy added more jobs than expected in November.

The U.S. economy added 203,000 jobs in November, above expectations for jobs growth of 180,000, the Labor Department said. The unemployment rate fell to a five year low of 7.0% from 7.3% in October.

In the week ahead, the U.S. is to release what will be closely watched data on retail sales, while German trade data and euro zone data on industrial production will also be in focus.

On Monday, in the euro zone, Germany is to release reports on the trade balance and industrial production. In addition, the Eurogroup of euro zone finance ministers is to hold talks in Brussels.

Also at the weekend, Greece's parliament approved at midnight Saturday a 2014 budget hat includes EUR1.2 billion in new taxes, EUR3.2 billion in spending cuts and EUR3.9 billion in revenues from real estate taxes.

Separately, the European Commission's Economic and Monetary Affairs said it would resume technical talks with Greece in January.

Investing.com offers an extensive set of professional tools for the financial markets.
Read more News on Investing.com and download the new Investing.com Stocks & Finance App for Android!

08.10 | 0 komentar | Read More

Car buyers vying for quality: Toyota, Honda lead the war

With the first time car owners in India turning more and more quality conscious there seems to be a shift in buyer interest towards higher-quality brands. Toyota and Honda with their premium quality offerings are now topping buy-lists, reports CNBC-TV18's Farah Bookwala.

Also Read: Will the new 'Jazz' change Honda's fortunes in India?

New vehicle buyers in India are now more keen on a quality ride and are consequently opting for premium brands to ensure above-industry-average quality in their cars. In fact, according to the 2013 India Initial Quality Study by a Singapore-based research firm JD Power, because of fewer problems associated with their brands, Toyota and Honda are top picks with both having 3 models that rank highest in their respective segments.

In case of Honda, Brio ranks the highest in the upper compact segment; Amaze in the entry midsize; and Honda City in the midsize segment.

In case of Toyota, Innova ranked the highest in the multipurpose vehicle segment, Corolla Altis in the premium midsize segment and Fortuner in the SUV segment.

In the smaller car segments, Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 ranks the highest in entry compact car segment and Maruti Swift in the premium compact segment, while Hyundai Santro ranks the highest in the compact car segment.

This perception of quality has a strong bearing on model advocacy, and in turn on sales, as 85 percent of Indian customers rely on recommendations of family and friends before buying a car.

In fact, since 2011, the sales volumes of automakers that have above-average initial quality increased 6 percent and the sales volumes of automakers whose customers reported more quality problems than average fell 8 percent.

Mohit Arora, Executive Director, JD Power: Manufacturers need to be more careful to ensure there are no problems in terms of vehicle interiors or driving dynamics because when you are looking at these problems occurring, there is a higher impact on satisfaction and that directly correlates to advocacy and loyalty of that customer towards the brand and model.

Experts say, in a market where carmakers are struggling to push sales, delivering to new customers' expectations on quality could be a big sales driver.

08.10 | 0 komentar | Read More

WD to bring rain, snow in Jammu amp; Kashmir; temperatures maintain in northern plains

The Western Disturbance (WD) lying over Afghanistan and adjoining Pakistan has started affecting Jammu & Kashmir and adjoining areas. As a result, the higher reaches of the state will receive snow, while the lower hills will get some rain.

As confirmed earlier by Skymet Weather, the WD will not have any significant bearing on the weather of the northern plains, except in pockets. Hisar at 5.6 degrees, Narnaul at 5.8 degrees and Lucknow at 5.3 were few exceptions with below normal minimums. Delhi will maintain near normal day temperature at 25 degrees. Minimum has shown a marginal drop with Safdarjung at 9.1 degrees on Saturday morning. Validating Skymet's earlier predictions, parts of Odisha will continue to record way below normal temperatures with Jharsuguda at 11 degrees and Titlagarh at 9 degrees (5 degrees below normal).

Cyclone Madi to spare South Indian coast

Cyclone Madi brewing in the Bay of Bengal is presently stationed about 300 km away from Chennai. Though it stands a chance of developing into a severe cyclone, Tamil Nadu coast has no direct threat and will be spared from getting hit by the system.

Heavy clouding will affect the coastal parts of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, extending to parts of Odisha. The low pressure in the Bay of Bengal had brought good amounts of rain in the rain-deficit Tamil Nadu from the 1st to 6th of December. However, very little rain has been recorded in the last 24 hours, barring Chennai. Accordingly, temperatures across the state have shown a marginal increase.

By: Skymetweather.com

08.10 | 0 komentar | Read More