Market information

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

The Irish government announced Tuesday night that a fund has been set up for banks. In this fund, with a total size of EUR 81 billion, banks can deposit toxic real estate loans. With this fund the Irish government attempts to relieve banks from toxic loans.

Volumes on the AEX were low yesterday. Recent figures on the American consumer confidence had a positive influence on the AEX. The IMF published in a report that economic growth in Germany is expected to be lower this year than expected, which had a negative effect on the stock market. The AEX closed 0.1% lower at 343.60.

After four days in which the price of gold increased, the price per troy ounce dropped to $1,108.40 yesterday. Expectations in the market on a strengthening dollar put the gold price under pressure.

The 6M Euribor decreased to 0.94%. The 10Y Swap rate decreased 3 basis points to 3.30%.

In the attachment below, today’s market data on money and capital market rates as well as other rates are presented. For more history of these rates or other rates feel free to ask: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Download market data

Monday, March 29, 2010

The British Ministry of Finance is working on a plan to reduce government stakes in RBS and Lloyds, now that the stock prices of both banks approach the average prices which the British government paid for it. The state currently owns 41% of Lloyds and 83% of RBS.

According to a study of the financial website Independer, interest rates on five-year savings decreased 0.8% on average last year. For deposits with a maturity of one year, the decline was 2.5% on average. The largest interest rate reductions were seen at Fortis Bank and Credit Europe Bank.

The index for consumer confidence in the United States remained unchanged in March compared to February. The index remained at a level of 73.6 while 72.5 was expected.

The 6M Euribor remained unchanged at 0.95%. The 10Y Swap increased one basis point to 3.34%.

In the attachment below, today’s market data on money and capital market rates as well as other rates are presented. For more history of these rates or other rates feel free to ask: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Download market data

Friday, March 26, 2010

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) will play an important role in the loan that will be provided to Greece. Last night the EU leaders reached an agreement in Brussels. The euro countries will further complement the loan if necessary. European stock markets reacted positively to this message. The AEX closed 1.1% higher at 345.6 points, the highest position since October 2008. The euro also rose to $ 1.33.

Companies in the EU carefully begin to apply for more credit. The European Central Bank observed an increase of 0.3% in February on a monthly basis. Interestingly, most companies choose credit with a maturity longer than five years, while the number of applications for loans of less than one year has decreased.

In the U.S., the figures were published of the number of initial job claims of the past four weeks. The four weeks before the number was 457,000 claims. The number of claims over the last four weeks added up to 442,000 and that his 8000 claims less than analysts initially thought.

The 6M Euribor remained unchanged at 0.95%. The 10Y Swap is 3 basis points to 3.33%.

Download market data

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Uncertainty about Greece holds the financial markets in its grip. Yesterday Fitch announced that it downgrades Portugal's credit rating from AA to AA-, since it has not taken appropriate measures to control its deficit. In response the euro lost more ground to the US dollar and reached its lowest level in ten months at $1.334.

Based on European and American macroeconomic figures the stock markets opened positive. German entrepreneurs have more faith in the economy. The positive sentiment changed, however, when the number on industrial orders in the eurozone was announced. This figure was lower than expected by economists. The AEX index remained nearly unchanged and closed at 341.74.

Later this day figures on the American labor market will be announced. Expectations are that the initial jobless claims will decrease from 457.000 to 450.000.

The 6M Euribor remained unchanged at 0.95%. The 10Y Swap rate increased 4 basis points to 3.30%.

Download market data

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Existing home sales decreased for the third month in a row in the United States. The amount of homes sold was 0,6% lower in February compared to January. The supply in the housing market rose with almost 10% to 3.59 million. The average price for which a home was sold in February was $165,100, $400 lower than in January.

Producer confidence as measured by the Richmond Federal Reserve reached a level of 6 for March, a rise of 4 points from a month earlier. Respondents were increasingly positive about almost the entire company process. Order backlogs and wages were the only aspects to which respondents were more negative. Responses to questions how the company would look in six months were very positive.

On the other side of the US economy, consumer confidence, as measured by ABC News, dropped 1 point to -44 for the week ending 21st of March. A negative number means that there were more negative than positive answers. Respondents were especially negative about the state of the economy, scoring it a -84.

In the attachment below, today’s market data on money and capital market rates as well as other rates are presented. For more history of these rates or other rates feel free to ask: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Download market data

Page 1 of 5 pages
1 2 3 > Last »