economic

A maritime boundary dispute between Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire that erupted this month casts doubt on future international oil claims near the contested area and raises questions about the reaction of foreign investors to the uncertainty.

U.S. stock indices are trading flat overnight. Traders have largely ignored the weakness in the Euro over Greece concerns. This may mean that today’s menu of U.S. economic reports will have a bigger influence on stock prices.

The U.S. Dollar was up sharply against all major currencies as investors flocked to safer assets following a poor housing report and concerns about Greece’s ability to shore up its budget deficit. More the most part, it was a quiet trade on Thursday as many big Forex players stood on the sidelines ahead of Friday’s U.S. Non-Farm Payrolls Report.

Despite a pick-up in demand for higher risk assets and higher Asian equity markets, U.S. stock indices are predicting a flat to lower opening. Traders seem to be taking a cautious approach before the release of this morning’s U.S. GDP, Chicago PMI, consumer confidence and existing home sales reports.

The U.S. Dollar is trading mixed overnight. The focus this morning will be on both risk and economic data. This could create volatile trading conditions as some currencies are poised to break recent bottoms while others are finding support.

U.S. investors drove stock indices higher following better than expected housing starts, industrial production and import price reports. Trading was light and there was very little follow-through to the upside following a strong early morning session. Traders were able to hold the indices steady following the FOMC report.

U.S. investors are driving stock indices higher ahead of this morning’s housing starts and industrial production reports. Renewed confidence in higher risk assets is also contributing to the strength. Trading could slow down after the morning session as investors flatten out ahead of this afternoon’s FOMC minutes.

U.S. stock indices had enough information in today’s bullish GDP report to mount a strong rally, but concerns about the debt crisis in Greece and a poor outlook for technology stocks led to a late session sell-off.

2010 is starting with a decision that faced heated debates: Kazakhstan will hold the chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) for one year, despite what many considered as a questionable political and democratic track record.

The lack of economic reports today is shifting the focus by U.S. equity traders to the U.S. Dollar. The prospect of the Fed keeping interest rates low for a “prolonged period” of time is helping to boost stock prices overnight as investors continue to treat the Dollar as a carry currency.

The U.S. Dollar posted a strong gain after bearish economic reports this morning triggered a massive sell-off in U.S. equity markets. Investors were encouraged to dump higher yielding assets for the safe haven Greenback. Two different reports indicated a drop in consumer spending and sentiment. U.S.

Mixed U.S. economic data fueled a choppy trade in U.S. equity markets most of the day. The markets opened higher this morning following a Gross Domestic Product Report that showed the economy had contracted less than expected. Early gains were erased, however, following a report which showed a drop in the Chicago Purchasing Managers Index.

The U.S. Dollar closed lower against most major currencies on Wednesday. The bearish tone was set during the overnight trading session following the release of a report from the International Monetary Fund that showed a reduction in the amount of estimated losses from the financial crisis.

A drop in U.S. Retail Sales in July helped boost demand for U.S. debt instruments on Thursday. This report showed that spending is still weak as consumers worry about their homes and their jobs. The numbers indicate that the cash for clunkers program may have had something to do with the drop in retail sales. Consumers may have used money earmarked for other items for a new automobile.