DAILY

30th April 2014

PSI20: +0.24% DAX30: +0.20% FTSE100: +0.15% S&P500: +0.30% NIKKEI225: +0.11%
PSI-20 closed up, in contrast with the mixed trend of European counterparts. PSI-20 rose 0.24% to 7456.91 points, as ESFG rocketed 22.69% after the news that the Angolan State gave a guarantee to BES of 4 billion euros, which covers 70% of the bank's credit portfolio in Angola. More >> On Wednesday, the Portuguese Government announced the measures listed in the Fiscal Strategy Document for the period 2014-2018. The maximum VAT rate rises to 23.25% in 2015 and workers will pay a social rate of 11.2%, up by 0.2 percentage points from previous 11% level. More >>

European stocks were little changed from a three-week high, as a report showing U.S. economic growth stalled offset better-than-forecast jobs data, while investors awaited a Federal Reserve decision on monetary policy. The STOXX Europe 600 Index retreated 0.1% to 337.89 at the close of trading. More >> Consumer price inflation in the euro zone rose less than expected in April, underlining concerns over the threat of deflation in the region, official preliminary data showed on Wednesday. Eurostat said consumer price inflation increased by a seasonally adjusted 0.7% this month, up from 0.5% in March. More >>

U.S. stocks rose on Wednesday, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average hitting its first record close of the year, as Wall Street welcomed a further reduction in the Federal Reserve's monthly bond purchases while looking past data showing the economy slowed more than expected in the first quarter. More >> The Bureau of Economic Analysis advance estimate of first quarter 2014 real gross domestic product shows output produced in the U.S. grew at a glacial 0.1% rate. This is growth relative to fourth quarter 2013, when real GDP increased 2.6%. Economists were anticipating growth around 1.1%. More >>

Asian stocks dropped, with the regional benchmark index heading for a one-month low, as investors weighed corporate earnings and the Bank of Japan refrained from expanding stimulus. More >> The Bank of Japan refrained from expanding monetary stimulus as board members forecast that the pace of inflation will quicken in each of the next two financial years to reach a 2% goal. More >> The value of Australias loans outstanding to the private sector continued to grow at a steady pace in March. The total credit increased by 0.4%, after increasing at the same pace in February. More >>

OIL (WTI: $99.75/bl, -0.83%; BRENT: $108.20/bl, -0.61%): Oil tumbled to a four-week low after government data showed U.S. inventories extended a record high. More >> NATURAL GAS ($4.797/MmBtu, -0.84%): Natural gas prices fell on Wednesday after investors locked in gains from a late-season cool snap and sold the commodity for profits. More >> GOLD ($1291.40/oz t , -0.37%): Gold prices fell after the Federal Reserve pared its monthly bondbuying program and said the economy is gaining momentum. More >>

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