(Updates with fresh numbers throughout, adds Sydney pre-open) ---------------------------------------------------------------- 07:14 / 2114 GMT ---------------------------------------------------------------- Stock Markets
NetChng
NetChng S&P/ASX 200
5,380.19 +77.04 NZSX 50
5,750.03 +39.27 DJIA
17,348.73 -162.61 Nikkei
20,222.63 -331.84 NASDAQ
5,019.05 -40.30 FTSE
6,403.45 -122.84 S&P 500
2,079.61 -17.31 Hang Seng
23,167.85 -307.12 SPI 200 Fut
5,305.00 -48.00 FTSTI
3,041.25 -8.40 SSEC
3,794.55 +46.38 TRJCRB Index
193.75 -3.02 ---------------------------------------------------------------- - Bonds
NetChg
NetChg AU 10 YR Bond
2.707 -0.045 US 10 YR Bond
2.129 -0.067 NZ 10 YR Bond
3.335 -0.030 US 30 YR Bond
2.816 -0.047 ---------------------------------------------------------------- - Currencies
1700GMT
1700GMT AUD US$
0.7346 0.7351 NZD US$
0.6599 0.6589 EUR US$
1.1119 1.1064 Yen US$
123.81 124.25 ---------------------------------------------------------------- - Commodities Gold (Lon)
1,126.15
Silver (Lon)
15.29 Gold (NY)
1,117.61
Light Crude
40.55 ----------------------------------------------------------------
Overnight market action with latest New York figures.
EQUITIES
NEW YORK - U.S. stocks fell in choppy trading on Wednesday as minutes from the latest Federal Reserve meeting highlighted concern over the state of the global economy, driving markets to question the likelihood that the Fed will raise rates next month.
The Dow Jones industrial average .DJI fell 162.61 points, or 0.93 percent, to 17,348.73, the S&P 500 .SPX lost 17.31 points, or 0.83 percent, to 2,079.61 and the Nasdaq Composite .IXIC dropped 40.30 points, or 0.8 percent, to 5,019.05.
For a full report, double click on .N
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LONDON - Britain's top share index fell on Wednesday to its lowest level since January, hit by anxiety over top metals consumer China's economy, with Glencore (LONDON:GLEN) leading the mining sector lower after poorly-received results.
The blue-chip FTSE 100 index .FTSE was down 122.84 points, or 1.9 percent, at 6,403.45 points by the close. That was its lowest closing level since Jan. 15, and more than 10 percent below a record high of 7,122.74 points hit in April.
For a full report, double click on .L
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TOKYO - Japanese stocks dropped to a more than five-week low on Wednesday, widening earlier losses, as a slide in Chinese shares raised concerns about the stability of the Chinese economy.
The Nikkei share average .N225 dropped 1.6 percent to 20,222.63, its lowest closing level since July 13 and the biggest daily percentage drop in six weeks.
For a full report, double click on .T
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SYDNEY - Australian shares are likely to follow global cues and slide on Thursday after bouncing off 7-months lows the previous session. Continued weakness in metals and oil prices is likely to weigh down resources and energy-related shares.
Share price index futures YAPcm1 fell 0.9 percent, or 48 points, in overnight trading to sit at a 75.2-points discount to the underlying S&P/ASX 200 index .AXJO . The benchmark rallied 1.5 percent on Wednesday.
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FOREIGN EXCHANGE
NEW YORK - The dollar fell on Wednesday as investors positioned for a U.S. interest rate hike in September pulled back after minutes from a Federal Reserve policymakers meeting delivered no solid signals on when the era of near-zero rates will end.
The euro traded up more than 1 percent against the dollar at $1.1124 EUR= . The euro was helped by shriveling appetites for risk among investors with euro-funded positions in emerging market currencies who were now buying back the single currency.
The dollar was down 0.40 percent against the yen JPY= at 123.76 yen, and off 0.20 percent against the British pound GBP= at $1.5684.
For a full report, double click on USD/
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TREASURIES
NEW YORK - U.S. Treasury yields fell on Wednesday as plunging oil prices added to concerns about low inflation and minutes from the U.S. Federal Reserve's July meeting noted lagging inflation and the weak world economy.
Benchmark 10-year notes US10YT=RR were last up 14/32 in price to yield 2.15 percent, down from 2.20 percent late Tuesday.
For a full report, double click on US/
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COMMODITIES
GOLD
NEW YORK/LONDON - Gold prices extended gains to a one-month high on Wednesday, after minutes from last month's U.S. Federal Reserve meeting hinted to a decreased likelihood for interest rates to be raised in September, pushing the dollar lower.
Spot gold XAU= was up 1 percent at $1,128.66 an ounce at 2:55 p.m. EDT (1855 GMT), having touched a one-month high at $1,131.90. Traders noted strong resistance at $1,135.
For a full report, double click on GOL/
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BASE METALS
LONDON - Copper slid to a six-year low below $5,000 a tonne on Wednesday as a plunge in oil prices added to persistent concerns about slowing growth in China, where authorities intervened for a second day to calm volatile stock markets.
Three-month copper on the London Metal Exchange CMCU3 ended down 1 percent at $4,985 a tonne, having earlier hit its lowest since mid-2009 at $4,976. It fell 1.5 percent on Tuesday, breaking below $5,000 for the first time in six years.
For a full report, double click on MET/L
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OIL
NEW YORK - U.S. crude oil slumped over 4 percent on Wednesday to hit a 6-1/2-year low and almost break below $40 per barrel, as a huge unexpected stockpile build in the United States reinforced concerns about a growing global oil glut.
The front-month futures contract in U.S. crude CLc1 , which expires on Thursday, settled down $1.82, or 4.3 percent, at $40.80 a barrel. It dropped as low as $40.46 during the session, its lowest since March 2009.
The front-month in Brent LCOc1 , the global benchmark for oil, settled down $1.65, or 3.4 percent, at $47.16 a barrel. It extended its losses to $2 in post-settlement trade.
For a full report, double click on O/R
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