DAILY

2ND January 2014

PSI20: +0.96% DAX30: -1.59% FTSE100: -0.46% S&P500: -0.89% NIKKEI225: ClOSED
PSI-20 grew in the first market day of the year, contradicting the main European markets. BCP (+6.97%), Semapa (+5.6%) and Sonae Indstria (+4.62%) were the main triggers. More >> According to the Automobile Association of Portugal (ACAP), during the last year were sold in Portugal 126 684 motor vehicles, which represents an increase of 11.7% compared to 2012. More >> According to data from Bloomberg, Optimus Zon surpassed in today's session Portugal Telecom (PT) in market value. The company reached a market capitalization of 2.8 billion. More >> European equities closed lower on Tuesday, after data released from the euro zone gave a mixed picture of the region's recovery and U.S. stocks posting steep declines. More >> Manufacturing activity in the U.K. expanded at a slower rate than expected in December, dampening optimism over the countrys economic outlook. More >> German manufacturing PMI rose to a seasonally adjusted 54.3, from 54.2 in the preceding month. Analysts had expected it to remain unchanged at 54.2 last month. More >> Stocks fell with Wall Street recording its first negative start to a year in 6, as a downgrade of Apple hit technology shares and a set of better-than-expected economic reports failed to move investors. More >> U.S. construction spending rose in November at the strongest pace in more than 4 years, driven by solid gains in home construction and commercial projects. More >> Applications for U.S. unemployment benefits declined last week to the lowest level in a month as the volatility typical during the year-end holidays waned. More >>

Asian equity markets were mixed on the first trading day of the year with South Korea and Thailand among the region's top losers in a thin liquidity session due to the holiday period. More >> Factory activity in China expanded at its slowest pace in three months in December. The final reading of HSBCs PMI stood at 50.5, in line with a flash estimate released last month. More >> Retail sales in Hong Kong rose 8.5% last month from 6.3% in November, while analysts had expected the retail sales to fall to 5.0%. More >>

GOLD ($1224.60/oz t; +1.59%): Gold prices rose on speculation that demands for bars and jewelry will increase in Asia. More >> OIL (WTI $95.50/bl; -3.24% / Brent $107.78/bl; -2.84%): Oil prices dropped as an improving U.S. economy added to speculation that the Federal Reserve will further curb stimulus. More >> NATURAL GAS ($4.305/MMBtu; +1.72%): Natural Gas prices rose to more than two weeks high as wintry weather over most of the U.S. stoked increased fuel demand. More >>

DISCLAIMER: Daily Briefs contains a summary of financial news covered on conventional news services around the world. Daily Briefs coverage of subjects is based on t whims of its volunteer contributors. FEP Finance Club is not responsible for any imprecision or error in the content of any news.