XTB in media - main page

Oil Heading Higher?

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 10:37:21 +0100

At the start of October 2011 West Test Intermediate crude (WTI) was trading at $76.25. By 1 March 2012 the price of oil had reached a peak of $110.55, a rise of nearly 45%.

Germany signals Willingness to increase firewall

Tue, 27 Mar 2012 15:32:51 +0100

Finance ministers from the 17 nations will meet in Copenhagen on March 30. The German Chancellor Angela Merkel gave her first indication yesterday that she is prepared to allow an increase in the debt crisis firewall.

China Plans for Soft landing, where does copper stand?

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 12:11:38 +0100

Italy’s Prime Minister Mario Monti warned that Spain could reignite the European debt crisis as Euro Area ministers this week prepare a deal to strengthen the region’s financial firewall. Monti pointed to Spain’s struggle to control its finances ahead of a finance ministers meeting in Copenhagen starting on March 30, where officials will seek agreement to raise a 500 billion Euro ceiling on bailout funding.

Copper weak on the back of slowdown in China but where is it going?

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 10:44:31 +0000

Asian stocks fell, extending the biggest weekly decline of the year, as a surprise drop in profits at China’s third largest bank renewed concern about growth slowing in the world’s second largest economy. Metals rebounded, led by zinc amid tightening supplies.

Chinese data disappoints

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 12:00:32 +0000

European stocks fell for a fourth day as a report showed Chinese manufacturing may contract further this month. U.S. index futures declined while Asian shares advanced.

After Greece, is Portugal the next one in line?

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 11:33:03 +0000

Delaying Greece’s debt restructuring by more than a year reduced potential losses as firms trimmed their holdings and most of the risk shifted to European taxpayers. When Greece was first rescued by the European Union and the International Monetary Fund in May 2010, lenders in other EU nations held $68 billion of its sovereign debt. If Greece had defaulted, banks would have lost $51 billion at a 25% recovery rate.

Federal Reserve sees light at the end of the tunnel.

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 11:14:46 +0000

European stocks rose yesterday, extending the biggest gain in six weeks. The US dollar also rose after the Federal Reserve strengthened confidence in the U.S. banking system and raised its economic assessment. A gauge of inflation expectations based on Treasury yields climbed to a seven month high ahead of U.S. import prices data due out this afternoon.

Investors Turn to news from the U.S.

Tue, 13 Mar 2012 14:19:05 +0000

European stocks advanced as investors turned their attention to a Federal Reserve policy meeting and a report on American retail sales after euro area finance ministers signed off on a second bailout for Greece.

Is Euro going to get back on its feet?

Mon, 12 Mar 2012 10:54:32 +0000

Strategists at Bank of America and Morgan Stanley elevated their estimates for the euro this month. In a note published on the 29^th February Bank of America has also increased its June 30 call to $1.30 from a previous estimate of $1.25.

Is The Yen Heading For Trouble?

Fri, 09 Mar 2012 16:02:37 +0000

Since the start of 2008 the Japanese Yen has risen considerably against the currencies of its key trading partners, a
situation which has hampered activity within its export-led economy. In response the Japanese central bank has
renewed its efforts to drive down the value of the yen and revive its flagging economy. This central bank
intervention coupled with Japan’s precarious debt dynamic could present an opportunity for further currency
fluctuation.

China slowing down enough to need a stimulus?

Fri, 09 Mar 2012 13:54:58 +0000

China’s inflation eased to the slowest pace in 20 months while gains in industrial output and retail sales weakened, which may be strengthening the case for stimulus to create incentives for growth.

Consumer prices rose 3.2% in February from a year earlier and factory production gained 11.4% in January and February combined, while retail sales increased 14.7%. All three numbers were below analysts' median forecasts.

Deadline looms for Greece to get more debt swap participation.

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 11:40:06 +0000

European stocks were little changed due to concerns that Greece may not get adequate participation in a debt swap by tomorrow’s deadline.

Just 20% back the debt swap deal.

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 11:25:06 +0000

Oil, copper and equities all fell after China’s Premier said in his annual state of the nation report to China's parliament that he expects the growth for 2012 to be around 7.5%. This will be the slowest pace of expansion since 1990 and well down on last year's 9.2% growth rate, scrapping the 8% reference rate for growth set in the previous eight.

Greece’s private creditors to vote.

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 12:58:09 +0000

The European Union faces its first test in its attempt to turn the page on the two year debt crisis when Greece’s private creditors decide this week whether to sign off on the biggest sovereign debt restructuring. The success of the 106 billion Euro debt swap now depends on how many investors agree to the write down by the March 8 deadline.

Can Europe build a higher firewall?

Fri, 02 Mar 2012 14:47:05 +0000

German chancellor Angela Merkel forced the EU to put off a discussion of increasing the overall ceiling for rescue lending. Others, including Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker, have pushed for this to be setup by July.

Can European leaders strike the deal?

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 12:34:57 +0000

Europe’s debt crisis shows signs of easing since the ECB started pushing unlimited amounts of three year loans to banks in December. In the second operation which was completed yesterday, 800 financial institutions flocked to the ECB to receive 529.5 billion Euros in funds. Italian banks borrowed a total of 139 billion Euros.

ECB’s cheap loans to banks coming to an end

Wed, 29 Feb 2012 11:35:55 +0000

European shares open higher today, with financials in the spotlight as investors bet a large number of banks will tap the European Central Bank's three year cheap loans offering which are designed to boost liquidity in the financial system.

Merkel wins the vote

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 12:07:46 +0000

Chancellor Angela Merkel won a parliamentary vote on Greek aid after warning German lawmakers that pushing Greece out of the euro would risk “countless” damage.

Merkel’s government pushed through the measure to avoid a collapse of the Greek economy although signs of growing resistance and as one of her Cabinet ministers said “Greece should leave the single currency”.

G20 meeting conclusions

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 10:17:36 +0000

The G20 meeting concluded at the weekend with a European review of its financial firewall in March agreed to be “essential” before any consideration can be made to boost resources for the IMF. The G20 said in its closing statement, that the progress will be assessed in April, when officials gather in Washington for the IMF’s spring meetings.

Super Dow?

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 16:51:21 +0000

Markets around the world have become unpegged from the economic fundamentals and are being driven higher by massive doses of liquidity coming from global central banks. As a result the Dow Jones Industrial Average has risen 6% so far this year and is now at multi-year highs.