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**InstaForex Gertrude** · 26-09-17, 04:56

U.S. Stocks Declined over North Korea Tensions, Tech Selloff

Wall Street dropped on Monday, as a selloff in technology shares weighed on the Nasdaq, while North Korea's recent warnings to Washington contributed to a cautious tone.

The CBOE Volatility index, a broadly followed measure of market anxiety, notched a 2-week peak of 11.21 and last stood 1.12 points higher at 10.71.

The Dow Jones industrial average fell 0.24 percent at 22,296.09. McDonald's, Visa and Boeing were the worst performers on the index, followed by Apple. Home Depot, Exxon Mobil and Walt Disney outperformed.

Information technology had its worst day since August 17, declining 1.4 percent as the largest loser in the S&P 500, which fell 0.22 percent to 2,496.66. Energy led six sectors up and finished almost 1.5 percent.

The Nasdaq composite briefly dropped over one percent but finished 0.99 percent lower at 6,370.59 in its worst day since September 5.

Tech names like Facebook, was down 4.81 percent, Microsoft, dropped 1.89 percent, while Apple, lost 1.11 percent. Other tech-related stocks also fell. Amazon.com declined 1.6 percent and Netflix tumbled 4.7 percent.

Shares of Apple dropped for the fourth consecutive day. The stock declined five percent the previous week, its worst week in over a year, following the launch of the iPhone 8 and some other products in stores. The stock remains almost 30 percent higher for 2017.

Social media giant Facebook fell 4.5 percent in their worst day of the year. It dropped a proposal to issue a new class of shares that will allow CEO Mark Zuckerberg to maintain voting control and fund the firm's philanthropic efforts.

The declines in tech were counterbalanced partly by a sharp rise in the energy sector, which climbed 1.5 percent. The sector was poised for its sixteenth advance in the previous 18 sessions.

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**InstaForex Gertrude** · 28-09-17, 06:35

South Korea Inflation Eases More Than Forecast

South Korea's consumer price inflation eased more-than-expected in September, figures from Statistics Korea showed Thursday.

The consumer price index climbed 2.1 percent year-over-year in September, slower than August's 2.6 percent rise. Economists had expected the inflation to ease to 2.2 percent.

Excluding food and energy, core inflation remained stable at 1.4 percent in September.

Prices of food and non-alcoholic beverages grew 3.3 percent annually in September and transport costs went up by 2.7 percent.

On a monthly basis, consumer prices edged up 0.1 percent from August, when it increased by 0.6 percent. The expected rate of increase was 0.2 percent.

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**InstaForex Gertrude** · 02-10-17, 06:05

Philippines Manufacturing PMI Climbs To 50.8 In September - Nikkei

The manufacturing sector in the Philippines continued to expand in September, and at a faster pace, the latest survey from Nikkei revealed on Monday with a manufacturing PMI score of 50.8.

That's up from 50.6 in August, and it moves further above the boom-or-bust line of 50 that separates expansion from contraction.

Individually, orders remained modest, while output expansion slowed further.

Cost pressures intensified.

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**InstaForex Gertrude** · 03-10-17, 05:39

COLOMBIA: Colcap Closes Steady Despite Oil Fall

Colcap, the main index of the Colombian Stock Exchange, closed Monday's session stable, amid a low trading volume, in a day in which oil fell by more than 2%.

Camilo Silva, an analyst at Valora Inversiones, said that the Colcap recorded a mixed behavior among its constituents, while crude prices abroad fell because of the skepticism among market players that the United States could reduce its oil production.

Regarding local companies, the state-owned Colombian oil company Ecopetrol reported that it was included in the technical recovery group of the International Energy Agency (IEA), which includes world powers in the application of this technology of oil production.

Meanwhile, the Colombian government affirmed on Monday that if the Avianca's pilots do not appoint an arbitrator to its litigation against the air company, it will be selected by lottery.

The shares of Cemex (+1.91%), Preferencial Bancolombia (+0.59%), Cemargos (+0.34%), and ?xito (+0.13%) rose, while Grupo Aval (-0.75%), Davivienda (-0.66%), Banco de Bogot? (-0.64%), and Conconcreto (-0.49%) fell.

The locally traded U.S. dollar closed the day at 2,950.00 Colombian pesos, marking a 0.37% rise, as the euro weakened and oil fell abroad. Ramses Pestanapalmett, an analyst at Ultraserfinco, said that the euro is falling against its peers due to the political tensions in Catalonia, where people voted for separating the region from Spain.

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**InstaForex Gertrude** · 04-10-17, 06:15

Singapore Private Sector Accelerates In September - Nikkei

The private sector in Singapore continued to expand in September, and at a faster pace, the latest survey from Nikkei revealed on Wednesday with a PMI score of 53.7.

That's up from 53.2 in August, and it moves further above the boom-or-bust line of 50 that separates expansion from contraction.

Individually, there were faster rises in both new orders and output, while export growth hit a record high.

Backlogs rose again despite additional staff numbers.

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**InstaForex Gertrude** · 04-10-17, 06:59

Trump’s Tax Overhaul Plan Hit with New Criticism

President Donald Trump's plan to revamp the U.S. tax code came under fire once more on Tuesday from two renowned Wall Street figures, including Warren Buffet who raised the Republican push to reduce the U.S. corporate rate.

Buffett and BlackRock Inc. CEO Larry Fink both indicated in separate interviews that the corporate rate may not have to be reduced as deeply as proposed by the White House and top Republicans in Congress.

In an interview with CNBC, the chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. said the corporate tax rate did not affect the competitiveness of U.S. businesses.

Meanwhile, Fink said a corporate rate as high as 27 percent could still give U.S. businesses' some breathing room, while preventing the widening in the federal budget deficit. During an interview on Bloomberg TV, Fink said that the current proposal will mean a big expansion of the country's deficits.

The Republican tax plan outlined last month calls for reducing the corporate income tax rate to 20 percent from the current level of 35 percent, which majority of multinational firms are avoiding by taking advantage of loopholes in the tax code.

Buffett added that the planned elimination of the estate tax under the Republican's plan is a 'terrible mistake'. Given that it only impacts a small percentage of Americans, scrapping the tax would not have widespread effects, he said.

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**InstaForex Gertrude** · 06-10-17, 05:58

Hong Kong Private Sector Expands In September - Nikkei

The private sector turned to expansion in September, the latest survey from Nikkei revealed on Friday with a PMI score of 51.2.

That's up from 49.7 in August, and it moves above the boom-or-bust line of 50 that separates expansion from contraction.

Individually, the index was boosted by renewed growth in new orders and output, although firms remain pessimistic about business outlook.

Supply shortages helped to drive up input costs.

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**InstaForex Gertrude** · 09-10-17, 06:32

China Private Sector Growth At 3-Month Low

China's private sector expanded at the weakest pace in three months in September, survey data from IHS Markit showed Monday.

The Caixin composite output index fell to 51.4 in September from 52.4 in August. However, any reading above 50 indicates expansion in the sector.

The slowdown was driven by weaker increases in output at both manufacturing and services companies.

The seasonally adjusted General Services Business activity index declined to 50.6 in September from 52.7 in August.

Moreover, this signaled a marginal increase in services activity that was the slowest for 21 months.

At the same time, growth in manufacturing production edged down to a three-month low.

"The expansion in both manufacturing and services cooled in September, suggesting downward pressure on economic growth may re-emerge in the fourth quarter," Dr. Zhengsheng Zhong, Director of Macroeconomic Analysis at CEBM Group said.

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**InstaForex Gertrude** · 10-10-17, 06:20

Philippine Trade Deficit Widens In August

Philippine foreign trade deficit increased in August from a year ago, as imports grew faster than exports, preliminary figures from the Philippine Statistical Authority showed Tuesday.

The trade deficit climbed to $2.41 billion in August from $2.13 billion in the corresponding month last year. In July, the shortfall was $1.62 billion.

Exports grew 9.3 percent year-over-year in August and imports advanced by 10.5 percent.

Shipments of electronic products, accounting for 51.9 percent of total exports, rose by 3.5 percent.

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**InstaForex Gertrude** · 11-10-17, 06:24

PERU: Government Signs US$ 200 Million Exploration Contracts With Anadarko

The Peruvian government has signed three oil exploration and exploitation contracts evaluated at US$ 200 million. The contracts involve the state-owned oil company PeruPetro and the U.S. company Anadarko, that will jointly develop offshore blocks on the western Pacific coast.

"In Peru, we have been slow in oil policy in the last 30 to 40 years, with contracts difficult to execute, and we are trying to improve it," said Peruvian President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski.

He also stressed that this is the first time that deepwater hydrocarbon exploration will occur in the country.

The three blocs range the provincial coasts of Chiclayo, Chep?n, Pacasmayo, Ascope, Trujillo, and Vir?.

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**InstaForex Gertrude** · 11-10-17, 07:17

Gold Prices Climb on Weaker Dollar

Gold prices increased for a fourth day on Wednesday, after notching a two-week peak in the session earlier, as the dollar weakened.

Spot gold rose 0.2 percent at $1,290.56 per ounce. It hit its highest level since Sept. 27 in the session earlier.

U.S. gold futures for December delivery was flat at $1,293 an ounce.

The dollar weakened against its peers and pulled back from a 10-week peak set recently amid speculation that U.S. President Donald Trump's tax overhaul plan would stall. A firm euro also weighed on the greenback.

Fed funds futures showed that traders implied almost a 90 percent likelihood of a December rate hike.

"The only news holding down the price of course are the impending rate hikes from the Federal Reserve but if these political issues grow much worse you can bet that $1,300 will not be the top," according to Miguel Perez-Santalla, vice president of Heraeus Metal Management in New York, citing concerns surrounding Spain and North Korea.

The London Metal Exchange sees three more clearing members to join its precious metals contract by the end of 2017 and is also looking to expand trading around its gold and silver reference prices, Chief Executive Matthew Chamberlain said.

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**InstaForex Gertrude** · 12-10-17, 06:15

Australia Home Loans Rise 1.0% In August

The total number of home loans in Australia was up a seasonally adjusted 1.0 percent on month in August, the Australian Bureau of Statistics said on Thursday - coming in at 57,161.

That beat forecasts for a gain of 0.5 percent following the downwardly revised 2.8 percent increase in July (originally 2.9 percent).

Investment lending advanced 4.3 percent to A$12.633 billion after sliding 3.7 percent in the previous month.

The value of loans gained 0.9 percent to A$21.265 billion after rising 1.3 percent a month earlier.

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**InstaForex Gertrude** · 12-10-17, 07:09

Fed Minutes show Policymakers’ Support for December Rate Hike

The minutes of the Federal Reserve meeting on September 19-20 showed that members of the FOMC had a prolonged discussion regarding the prospects of inflation's growth and slowing the rate of future interest rate hikes if it failed to pick-up.

Record of the most recent policy meeting showed that Fed officials see the economy growing at a steady rate. The minutes also show that policymakers expect inflation will reach the targeted 2 percent, with FOMC members anticipating that factors weakening inflation are temporary.

Several members said that they would focus on the incoming inflation data over the next few months when deciding regarding the future of interest rate moves.

It also indicated that an interest rate hike later this year is almost certain, despite some divisions regarding the outlook for the direction of inflation. According to the summary of the meeting, many members thought that another rate hike in the target range later this year, presumably in December, was likely to be warranted if the medium-term outlook continued to be unchanged.

In the end, the FOMC ruled against an interest rate hike at the meeting, choosing instead to announced that in October it would start to reduce its massive balance sheet, which will be done by allowing small part of the proceeds from its maturing bonds to roll off.

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**InstaForex Gertrude** · 13-10-17, 06:56

Singapore GDP Surges 6.3% On Quarter In Q3

Singapore's gross domestic product climbed a seasonally adjusted 6.3 percent on quarter in the third quarter of 2017, the Ministry of Trade and Industry said in Friday's advance estimate.

That beat forecasts for an increase of 3.7 percent following the upwardly revised 2.4 percent gain in the second quarter (originally 2.2 percent).

On a yearly basis, GDP jumped 4.6 percent - again exceeding expectations for 3.8 percent following the 2.9 percent increase in the three months prior.

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**InstaForex Gertrude** · 13-10-17, 07:22

U.S. Producer Prices Strengthens in September

U.S. producer inflation increased in September as gasoline prices notched its biggest increase over two years amid hurricane-linked production issues at Texas oil refineries.

At an annual rate, the PPI jumped 2.6 percent, the biggest jump since February 2012 and came after a 2.4 percent rise in August. The rise is driven by the strong increase in wholesale gasoline prices, which jumped 10.9 percent in September

According to the Labor Department, the higher energy prices most likely resulted from the reduced refining capacity in refineries in the Gulf Coast area that was devastated by Hurricane Harvey. The increase in gasoline prices due to the storm is seen to be only temporary as a supply glut persists in the markets.

The producer price index for final demand rose 0.4 percent, the Labor Department reported, also lifted by the rise in services. Wholesale prices in August rose 0.2 percent.

Other data released by the government agency showed filings for unemployment benefits declined to a more than one-month low in the previous week as the boost to the applications in Texas and Florida due to Hurricane Harvey and Irma continued to decline.

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**InstaForex Gertrude** · 16-10-17, 05:57

China CPI Slows To 1.6% In September

Consumer prices in China were up 1.6 percent on year in September, the National Bureau of Statistics said on Monday.

That was in line with expectations, and down from 1.8 percent in August.

On a monthly basis, consumer prices were up 0.5 percent - accelerating from 0.4 percent a month prior.

The bureau also said that producer prices jumped an annual 6.9 percent - exceeding forecasts for 6.4 percent and up from 6.3 percent in the previous month.

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**InstaForex Gertrude** · 17-10-17, 06:26

Gold Steady Amid Strong Dollar

Gold prices held steady early on Tuesday after dropping below $1,300 per ounce in the session earlier, while the dollar was firm on strong U.S. Treasury yields.

Spot gold was flat at $1,293.60 per ounce. The precious metal declined 0.8 percent in the session earlier.

U.S. gold futures for December delivery dropped to $1,296 an ounce. The dollar held gains versus the yen and the euro on Tuesday, buoyed by an increase in Treasury yields following a report that U.S. President Donald Trump preferred a policy hawk as the next head of the Federal Reserve. He is set to meet with Fed Chair Janet Yellen on Thursday as part of his search for a new candidate for her position, according to a source familiar with the matter.

Among other metals, palladium previously tumbled 1.6 percent at $972.10 per ounce after hitting its highest since February 2001 at $1,010.50.

Some investors had been wary when the metal, mostly used for auto catalysts to clean pollution from exhaust fumes, broke above $1,000 on Sept. 6, as a result of concern regarding weak global auto sales.

However, these concerns have been put aside after the world's largest auto market China recently posted sales growth of 5.7 percent in September.

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**InstaForex Gertrude** · 18-10-17, 06:20

ARGENTINA: Merval Falls 1.91%, Tracking ADRs

Merval, the main index of the Buenos Aires Stock Exchange, tumbled 1.91% Tuesday, closing at 26,622.40 points in the first trading session of the week after a holiday in Argentina.

Local papers tracked the losses posted Monday by the ADRs of Argentinean companies traded on Wall Street in the days previous to an election in which the market takes for granted the triumph of the President Mauricio Macri political group.

The main candidates are in the final stretch of their campaigns. On Monday, Cristina Kirchner led a crowded rally in the Racing Club stadium, while Macri took part in an act with its allies in Ferro.

The shares of Galicia (+0.26%) and Petrobras (+0.11%) rose, while Pampa (-4.89%), Costanera (-4.24%), Agrometal (-3.51%), Comercial del Plata (-3.38%), and Petrolera Pampa (-3.38%) fell.

The locally traded U.S dollar closed down 0.08%, at 17.33 Argentinean pesos, reversing an early rise, also under pressure of the electoral week.

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**InstaForex Gertrude** · 19-10-17, 02:19

Japan Has Y670.2 Billion Trade Surplus In September

Japan had a merchandise trade surplus of 670.2 billion yen in September, the Ministry of Finance said on Thursday.

That beat forecasts for a surplus of 556.8 billion yen following the downwardly revised 112.6 billion yen surplus in August (originally 113.6 billion yen).

Exports climbed 14.1 percent on year, missing forecasts for a gain of 15.0 percent and down from 18.1 percent in the previous month.

Imports picked up an annual 12.0 percent versus expectations for 14.7 percent and down from 15.2 a month earlier.

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**InstaForex Gertrude** · 19-10-17, 03:22

European Markets Advanced on Third-Quarter Earnings Reports

European markets finished higher on Wednesday as investors focused on the recent batch of earnings and economic data releases.

The pan-European Stoxx 600 rose nearly 0.29 percent, with most sectors and major bourses in positive territory.

Politics continued to persist in the background, as investors await recent news on Brexit and Catalonia.

Spain's IBEX stretched out losses following news reports that showed Catalonia refuses to give in to the Spanish government's demand of renouncing its independence.

Autos, food and beverages and media stocks were among the best performers on Wednesday.

UK consumer goods maker Reckitt Benckiser dropped over one percent after it trimmed its full-year comparable sales forecast and announced a company overhaul following a "soft" third quarter.

The UK's second largest grocer Sainsbury's declined 1.2 percent after Sky News reported that the company will cut 2,000 store and back office jobs in an effort to cut costs amid rising competition.

Dutch chemicals group Akzo Nobel reported its third-quarter results, with the company expecting upbeat developments for the EMEA region (except for the U.K.) and North America going forward. However, it revealed that "headwinds" are expected to continue. Shares of Azko Nobel fell 1.84 percent.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission recently charged Australian-British miner Rio Tinto and two of its former top executives with fraud. The SEC said that the execs had inflated the value of coal assets in Mozambique, which was acquired for $3.7 billion and sold years later for $50 million, according to a report from Reuters. Rio Tinto shares dropped nearly three percent.

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