DAILY

6th February 2014

PSI20: +1.32% DAX30: +0.01% FTSE100: +0.19% S&P500: +0.17% NIKKEI225: +1.59%
The PSI20 rose 1.32% to 7 515.12 points, and it was the best performer among European Indexes on Thursday. The index closed higher, as banks and the energy sector advanced (GALP rose 0.62% and EDP surged 1.03%). Among banks, BCP rallied 7.10%, while BPI climbed 2.63%. More >> According to data released by the National Statistical Institute of Portugal, the index of turnover in the manufacturing sector tumbled 2.3% YoY in January, after an increase of 2.7% in the previous month. The indexes of employment and working hours decreased as well, 1.2% and 2% respectively. More >> European stock markets gave up their gains on Thursday after the European Central Bank chose not to take action to inject more liquidity into the region's financial system, disappointing some investors. The euro zone's blue-chip Euro STOXX 50 index was up just 0.3 percent at 3 144.53 points. More >> German factory orders rose more-than-expected in January, fuelling optimism over the health of the euro zones largest economy, official data showed on Thursday. Deutsche Bundesbank said factory orders increased by 1.2% in January, beating expectations for a gain of 0.7%. More >>

U.S. stocks mostly rose on Thursday, lifting the S&P 500 to another record, after data had jobless claims falling to a three-month low ahead of Friday's monthly employment report. More >> Initial claims for state unemployment benefits dropped 26,000 to a seasonally adjusted 323,000. That was the lowest level since the end of November. More >> Nonfarm business sector labor productivity increased at a 1.8 percent during the fourth quarter of 2013, and it reflects increases of 3.4 percent in output and 1.6 percent in hours worked. More >>

Asian stocks advanced, with the regional benchmark heading for its highest close in six weeks, as telecommunications companies led gains. Japanese shares rose after the yen weakened. More >> Chinas yuan posted its biggest two-day rally since May 2013 on speculation the central bank is allowing gains after guiding the currency weaker to engineer more two-way volatility. More >> Australian shares slipped 0.1 percent on Thursday, as upbeat retail sales and trade balance data helped the index recover from heavier losses. More >>

GOLD ($1351.30/lb; 1.15%): Gold prices rose in tandem with the euro after the European Central Bank left monetary policy unchanged and sparked demand for the single currency. More >> NATURAL GAS ($4.636/Mmbtu; +1.47%): Natural gas futures shot up on Thursday after weekly U.S. supply data revealed the country's stockpiles fell more than expected last week. More >> OIL (WTI: $101.88/Mmbtu; +0.90%/ BRENT: $108.39/Mmbtu; +0.61%): Oil rose as fewer Americans than projected filed applications for unemployment benefits last week. More >>

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