Switzerland: Trade surplus narrows less than expected in February

FXstreet.com (Barcelona) - Swiss Trade surplus narrowed to CHF2.098 billion in February from CHF2.12 billion in January, according to data released today by the Swiss Statistics Office. Analysts expected the surplus to narrow more to CHF1.87 billion.

Swiss Exports decreased to CHF16.727B in February, from CHF16.738B in January. Swiss Imports declined to CHF14.245B from CHF14.612B.

Mar 21, 2013

Asian markets higher on US FOMC, European futures down ahead of Markit PMI

Most Asian stock indexes edged higher on Thursday due to a dovish FOMC, with the notable exception of South Korea’s Kospi (-0.44%) – headlines of more tension with North Korea - and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng (-0.08%). Leading gains was Japan’s Nikkei Stock Average (+1.34%) as investors priced in one whole day away from the market (bank holiday yesterday). Mainland China’s Shanghai Composite (+0.16%), India’s Bombay Sensitive (+0.78%) and Singapore’s Straits Times (+0.70%) moved higher as well. BoJ Governor Kuroda will make a speech at 09:00 GMT.

Forex: GBP/USD consolidates gains above 1.5100

The sterling is intensifying the better mood on Thursday, advancing firmly above the key level of 1.5100 ahead of UK Retail Sales and public sector figures....