Dollar Drifts Lower On Trade War Concerns

RTTNews | 3 days ago
Dollar Drifts Lower On Trade War Concerns

(RTTNews) - The U.S. dollar drifted lower on Thursday after U.S. President Donald Trump announced new tariffs on auto and auto components imports, and added that he would impose far larger levies than currently planned if the EU and Canada collaborate to harm the U.S. economy.

In economic news, a report from the Commerce Department said gross domestic product surged by 2.4% in the fourth quarter compared to the previously reported 2.3% jump. Economists had expected the pace of GDP growth to be unrevised.

A separate report released by the National Association of Realtors showed pending home sales saw a significant rebound in the month of February after plunging to an all-time low in January.

NAR said its pending home sales index surged by 2% to 72.0 in February after plunging 4.6% to an all-time low of 70.6 in January. Economists had expected pending home sales to jump by 1.5%.

The dollar index dropped to a low of 104.07 in the New York session, and despite recovering to 104.26 subsequently, remained in negative territory, losing about 0.25%.

Against the Euro, the dollar weakened to 1.0804. Against Pound Sterling, the dollar weakened to 1.2949.

The dollar firmed against the Japanese currency, fetching 151.05 yen a unit. Against the Aussie, the dollar weakened to 0.6305.

The Swiss franc firmed against the dollar to CHF 0.8818, while the Loonie weakened to 1.4307 a unit of the U.S. currency.

read more
China Shares May Take Further Damage On Monday

China Shares May Take Further Damage On Monday

The China stock market turned lower again on Friday, one day after ending the two-day slide in which it had eased just 3 points or 0.1 percent. The Shanghai Composite Index now sits just above the 3,350-point plateau and the losses may accelerate on Monday.
RTTNews | 4h 13min ago
Japan Retail Sales Rise 0.5% In February

Japan Retail Sales Rise 0.5% In February

The value of retail sales in Japan was up a seasonally adjusted 0.5 percent on month in February, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said on Monday - coming in at 12.193 trillion yen.
RTTNews | 4h 39min ago
Lower Open Called For Taiwan Stock Market

Lower Open Called For Taiwan Stock Market

The Taiwan stock market has moved lower in three straight sessions, stumbling almost 675 points or 4.8 percent in that span. The Taiwan Stock Exchange now sits just above the 21,600-point plateau and it's likely to open under water again on Monday.
RTTNews | 4h 43min ago
Japan Stock Market Tipped To Open Under Pressure On Monday

Japan Stock Market Tipped To Open Under Pressure On Monday

The Japanese stock market has moved lower in back-to-back sessions, surrendering more than 900 points or 2.4 percent along the way. The Nikkei 225 now rests just above the 37,120-point plateau and it may extend its losses on Monday.
RTTNews | 5h 13min ago
South Korea Bourse May Extend Losing Streak

South Korea Bourse May Extend Losing Streak

The South Korea stock market has finished lower in two straight sessions, stumbling more than 85 points or 3.4 percent in that span. The KOSPI now sits just beneath the 2,560-point plateau and it may take further damage again on Monday.
RTTNews | 5h 43min ago