Forex - EUR/JPY drops on poor E.U. growth figures

Investing.com - The euro dropped against the yen after the E.U. released dismal fourth-quarter economic growth figures earlier Friday.

Then yen, meanwhile, continued to see demand in wake of a Group of Seven statement expressing concern over weakening currencies, which most market players interpreted as a warning to Tokyo to avoid actively devaluing the currency.

In U.S. trading on Thursday, EUR/JPY hit 124.22, down 1.15% and up from a low of 123.81 and off a high of 125.95.

The pair sought to test support at 123.44, last Friday's low, and resistance at 126.94, Tuesday's high.

Eurostat, the statistical arm of the European Union, reported earlier that the eurozone's GDP contracted by 0.6% in the fourth quarter of 2012 from the third, well beyond expectations for a 0.4% decline and far surpassing g the previous 0.1% quarterly contraction.

The dip in total output represented the fastest rate of decline since 2009 and marked a third consecutive quarter of contraction.

http://www.investing.com/news/forex-news/forex---eur-jpy-drops-on-poor-e.u.-growth-figures-244311

Forex - EUR/USD weakens on poor eurozone growth rates

Investing.com - Weaker-than-expected E.U. economic growth figures sent investors ditching the euro and scrambling for safe-haven dollar positions on Thursday after official data revealed the continent's recession grew deeper.

In U.S. trading, EUR/USD was down 0.88% at 1.3334, up from a session low of 1.3316 and off from a high of 1.3456.

The pair was likely to find support at 1.3265, the low from Jan. 23, and resistance at 1.3520, Wednesday's high. 

European gross domestic product growth rates served as the pair's chief steering current on Thursday.

Eurostat, the statistical arm of the European Union, reported earlier that the eurozone's GDP contracted by 0.6% in the fourth quarter of 2012 from the third, well beyond expectations for a 0.4% decline and far surpassing g the previous 0.1% quarterly contraction.

http://www.investing.com/news/forex-news/forex---eur-usd-weakens-on-poor-eurozone-growth-rates-244307

Forex - GBP/USD extends losses on U.K., E.Z. worries

Investing.com - The pound extended losses against the U.S. dollar on Thursday, trading close to a seven-month low as concerns over the outllook for growth in the U.K. and the euro zone continued to weigh, despite upbeat U.S. jobless claims data. 

GBP/USD hit 1.5483 during U.S. morning trade, the pair's lowest since July 26; the pair subsequently consolidated at 1.5525, slipping 0.13%. 

Cable was likely to find support 1.5471, the low of July 26 and resistance at 1.5542, the session high. 

Sterling remained under pressure after the Bank of England cut its outlook for growth on Wednesday and said inflation would remain above target until early 2016. 

The BoE said that inflation is likely to be at around 2.3% in two years’ time, sharply higher than the 1.8% forecast in November, before falling back below the bank’s 2% target in the first quarter of 2016.

http://www.investing.com/news/forex-news/forex---gbp-usd-extends-losses-on-u.k.,-e.z.-worries-244304

Forex - GBP/USD near 6-month lows on U.K. outlook

Investing.com - The pound was trading close to six-month lows against the dollar on Thursday, as concerns over the outlook for the U.K. economy curbed investor demand for sterling.

GBP/USD hit 1.5492 during European morning trade, the pair’s lowest since August 2; the pair subsequently consolidated at 1.5519, shedding 0.14%.

Cable was likely to find support at 1.5412, the low of July 13 and resistance at 1.5541, the session high.

The pound remained under pressure after the Bank of England cut its outlook for growth on Wednesday and said inflation would remain above target until early 2016.

In its quarterly inflation report the bank said inflation is likely to be at around 2.3% in two years’ time, sharply higher than the 1.8% forecast in November, before falling back below the bank’s 2% target in the first quarter of 2016.

The central bank said the economy will experience a "slow but sustained recovery" over the next three years and added that it stood ready to provide more stimulus as needed.

http://www.investing.com/news/forex-news/forex---gbp-usd-near-6-month-lows-on-u.k.-outlook-244278

Forex - EUR/USD at three-week lows after EZ GDP data

Investing.com - The euro was trading close to three-week lows against the dollar on Thursday, after official data showed that the recession in the euro zone deepened in the fourth quarter, with gross domestic product contracting more-than-forecast.

EUR/USD hit 1.3316 during European afternoon trade, the pair’s lowest since January 24; the pair subsequently consolidated at 1.3341, shedding 0.83%.

The pair was likely to find support at 1.3247, the low of January 11 and resistance at 1.3454, the session high.

Eurostat said euro zone GDP contracted by 0.6% in the three months to December, compared to expectations for a 0.4% decline, after a 0.1% contraction in the third quarter.

It was the fastest rate of decline since 2009 and marked a third consecutive quarter of contraction.

Euro zone GDP fell 0.9% compared to a year earlier, worse than expectations for a 0.7% contraction, after shrinking at an annualized rate of 0.6% in the previous quarter. 

http://www.investing.com/news/forex-news/forex---eur-usd-at-three-week-lows-after-ez-gdp-data-244293

U.K. GDP falls more-than-expected

Investing.com - U.K.’s gross domestic product fell more-than-expected in the last quarter, preliminary official data showed on Friday.

In a report, the U.K. Office for National Statistics said that GDP fell to -0.3%, from 0.9% in the preceding quarter.

Analysts had expected U.K.’s gross domestic product to fall -0.1% in the last quarter.

Dollar mixed vs. rivals after strong German data, ECB comments

Investing.com - The U.S. dollar was mixed against the other major currencies on Friday, after the release of strong German business confidence data, while the European Central Bank said banks plan to pay back more than anticipated of its long term loans. 

During European morning trade, the dollar was lower against the euro, with EUR/USD climbing 0.45% to 1.3438. 

The euro pushed higher against the greenback after the Ifo Institute for Economic Research said that its index of German business confidence improved to 104.2 in January, from 102.4 the previous month, beating expectations for a rise to 103.0. 

Separately, the ECB said that banks will repay EUR137.159 billion in three-year loans next week, opting to hand back the money early, signalling that a least parts of the financial system are returning to health. 

The greenback was steady against the pound, with GBP/USD easing 0.05% to 1.5780. 

The pound came under pressure after preliminary data showed that U.K. gross domestic product fell 0.3% in the fourth quarter, compared to expectations for a 0.1% decline, after a 0.9% rise in the previous quarter. 
http://www.investing.com/news/forex-news/dollar-mixed-vs.-rivals-after-strong-german-data,-ecb-comments-243454

U.S. futures rise on E.Z. optimism; Dow Jones up 0.32%

Investing.com - U.S. stock futures pointed to a higher open on Friday, as signs of progress in tackling the euro zone's debt crisis lifted market sentiment, while investors eyed the release of U.S. housing data later in the day. 

Ahead of the open, the Dow Jones Industrial Average futures pointed to a 0.32% rise, S&P 500 futures signaled a 0.36% increase, while the Nasdaq 100 futures indicated a 0.49% gain.

Sentiment improved after the Ifo Institute for Economic Research said that its index of German business confidence improved to 104.2 in January, from 102.4 the previous month, beating expectations for a rise to 103.0. 

Separately, the ECB said that banks will repay EUR137.159 billion in three-year loans next week, opting to hand back the money early, signalling that a least parts of the financial system are returning to health. 

Retailers were expected to be active, after household products giant Procter & Gamble reported quarterly earnings and revenue that beat analysts' expectations, sending shares up 1.63% in pre-market trade.
http://www.investing.com/news/stock-market-news/u.s.-futures-rise-on-e.z.-optimism;-dow-jones-up-0.32-243455

U.S. Natural Gas Storage falls more-than-expected

Investing.com - U.S. natural gas storage fell more-than-expected last month, official data showed on Thursday.

In a report, Energy Information Administration said that U.S. Natural Gas Storage fell to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of -148B, from -201B in the preceding month.

Analysts had expected U.S. Natural Gas Storage to fall -136B last month.

Forex - EUR/USD eases from session highs after U.S. data

Investing.com - The euro eased back from session highs against the U.S. dollar on Thursday, after data showed that U.S. jobless claims hit a five-year low last week, while U.S. housing starts rose at the fastest pace in four years in December.

EUR/USD pulled away from 1.3377, the pair’s highest since Tuesday, to hit 1.3353 during U.S. morning trade, still up 0.49% for the day.

The pair was likely to find support at 1.3269, the session low and resistance at 1.3403, the high of January 14 and an 11-month high.

The U.S. Department of Labor said the number of individuals filing for initial jobless benefits last week fell by 37,000 to a seasonally adjusted five-year low of 335,000, compared to expectations for a decline of 7,000 to 365,000.

Meanwhile, the Commerce Department said U.S. housing starts jumped by 12.1% in December to an annual unit rate of 0.954 million, the highest level since 2008, compared to expectations for a 3.3% increase to 0.890 million.

http://www.investing.com/news/forex-news/forex---eur-usd-eases-from-session-highs-after-u.s.-data-243177

Crude oil futures rally to 4-month high on U.S. economic outlook

Investing.com - Crude oil futures rose to the highest level since mid-September during U.S. morning hours on Thursday, amid indications the U.S. economy was gaining momentum.

Geopolitical tensions in Algeria provided further support.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, light sweet crude futures for delivery in March traded at USD95.80 a barrel during U.S. morning trade, up 1.2% on the day. 

New York-traded oil prices rose by as much as 1.4% earlier to hit a session high of USD95.97 a barrel, the strongest level since September 19.

Oil futures prices rose to the highest level of the day after the U.S. Department of Labor said the number of individuals filing for initial jobless benefits last week fell by 37,000 to a seasonally adjusted 335,000, compared to expectations for a decline of 7,000 to 365,000.

A separate report showed that U.S. housing starts jumped by 12.1% in December to a seasonally adjusted 0.954 million, compared to expectations for a 3.3% increase to 0.890 million.

http://www.investing.com/news/commodities-news/crude-oil-futures-rally-to-4-month-high-on-u.s.-economic-outlook-243176

Empire State manufacturing index declines to minus 7.8

Investing.com - The New York Federal Reserve’s index of manufacturing conditions deteriorated unexpectedly in January, remaining in contraction territory for the sixth consecutive month, official data showed on Tuesday.

In a report, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York said that its general business conditions index declined to minus 7.8 in January from a reading of minus 7.3 in December.  

Analysts had expected the index to improve to 2.0 in January.

On the index, a reading above 0.0 indicates improving conditions, below indicates worsening conditions.

The new orders index fell four points to -7.2, and the shipments index declined a full fifteen points to -3.1.

http://www.investing.com/news/economic-indicators/empire-state-manufacturing-index-declines-to-minus-7.8-243053

U.S. PPI falls 0.2% in December; core PPI up 0.1%

Investing.com - Producer price inflation in the U.S. fell for the third consecutive month in December, while core prices eased up slightly, official data showed on Tuesday. 

In a report, the Bureau of Labor Statistics said that producer prices fell by a seasonally adjusted 0.2% in December, compared to expectations for a 0.1% decline, after falling 0.8% in November.

Year-over-year, the producer price index rose at an annualized rate of 1.3% last month, below expectations for a gain of 1.4%. PPI rose at an annualized rate of 1.5% in November.

The core producer price index eased up 0.1% in December, in line with expectations after rising 0.1% in November. 

http://www.investing.com/news/central-banks/u.s.-ppi-falls-0.2-in-december;-core-ppi-up-0.1-243052

U.S. retail sales rise 0.5% in December

Investing.com - Retail sales in the U.S. rose more-than-expected in December, while core retail sales also beat expectations, official data showed on Tuesday.  

In a report, the U.S. Census Bureau said that retail sales rose by a seasonally adjusted 0.5% in December, above expectations for a 0.2% gain. 

Retail sales for November were revised to a 0.4% increase from a previously reported gain of 0.3%.

Rising retail sales over time correlate with stronger economic growth, while weaker sales signal a declining economy.

Core retail sales, which exclude automobile sales, increased by a seasonally adjusted 0.3%, beating expectations for a 0.2% gain.

Core sales for November were revised down to a 0.1% drop from a previously reported flat reading.

Core sales correspond most closely with the consumer spending component of the government's gross domestic product report. Consumer spending accounts for as much as 70% of U.S. economic growth.

http://www.investing.com/news/economic-indicators/u.s.-retail-sales-rise-0.5-in-december-243051

Forex - EUR/USD steady, close to 1-week high

Investing.com - The euro was steady against the U.S. dollar on Friday, trading close to a one-week high after positive Chinese data and as the single currency remained supported by Thursday's encouraging comments by European Central Bank President Mario Draghi. 

EUR/USD hit 1.3249 during early European trade, the session low; the pair subsequently consolidated at 1.3262, dipping 0.07%. 

The pair was likely to find support at 1.3173, the low of December 31 and resistance at 1.3308, the high of December 19 and a multi-month high. 

Speaking at the bank’s post-policy meeting press conference Draghi said a gradual economic recovery would begin this year, as structural reforms and actions by the ECB to tackle the region’s debt crisis continued to take effect. 

The comments came after the ECB left interest rates on hold at 0.75% in a widely anticipated decision earlier, but some market participants had expected Draghi to hint at the possibility of rate cuts later in 2013. 

Market sentiment also found support after official data earlier showed that consumer price inflation in China rose to an annualized rate of 2.5% in December from 2.0% the previous month, beating expectations for a rise to 2.3%. 

Elsewhere, the euro was higher against the pound, with EUR/GBPadding 0.10% to hit 0.8216 and against the yen, with EUR/JPY rising 0.29% to hit 118.18. 

http://www.investing.com/news/forex-news/forex---eur-usd-steady,-close-to-1-week-high-242926

Forex - AUD/USD lower despite decent Chinese data

Investing.com - The Australian dollar drifted lower against its U.S. rival on Friday in Asia despite opening the session modestly higher. 

In Asian trading Friday, AUD/USD was lower by 0.18% at 1.0579. The pair was likely to find support at 1.0494, the session low and resistance at 1.0586, the high of December 12. 

AUD/USD jumped during Thursday’s U.S. session after official data showed that China’s trade surplus widened unexpectedly in December, adding to signs of recovery in the world’s second largest economy.

Chinese exports rose 14.1% in December from a year earlier while imports increased by 6%. China is the top destination for Australian exports. 

More economic news out of China, the world’s second-largest economy, could not spur the Aussie higher against the greenback today. Producer price inflation in China rose less-than-expected last month, official data showed on Friday.

http://www.investing.com/news/forex-news/forex---aud-usd-lower-despite-decent-chinese-data-242919

Forex - USD/CAD lower despite weak Canadian data

Investing.com - The U.S. dollar was trading close to session lows against the Canadian dollar on Thursday despite official data showing that number of new building permits issued in Canada dropped sharply in November, erasing the previous month’s gains.

USD/CAD hit 0.9850 during early U.S. trade, the pair’s lowest since Tuesday; the pair subsequently consolidated at 0.9858, slipping 0.17%.

The pair was likely to find support at 0.9835, the low of January 2 and resistance at 0.9879, the session high.

Statistic Canada said the number of new building permits issued tumbled 17.9% in November, compared to expectations for a decline of 8%. October’s figure was revised to a 15.9% gain from a previously reported increase of 15%.  

Risk appetite was boosted after the head of the European Central Bank said a vote to leave interest rates in the euro zone unchanged this month was unanimous, following the bank’s policy meeting.

ECB President Mario Draghi also said a gradual economic recovery would begin this year, as structural reforms and actions by the ECB to tackle the region’s debt crisis continued to take effect.

http://www.investing.com/news/forex-news/forex---usd-cad-lower-despite-weak-canadian-data-242896

U.S. stocks rise on E.Z. optimism; Dow Jones up 0.24%

Investing.com - U.S. stocks opened higher on Thursday, boosted by encouraging comments by European Central Bank President Mario Draghi, despite downbeat jobless claims data from the U.S. 

During early U.S. trade, the Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.24%, the S&P 500 index rose 0.34%, while the Nasdaq Composite index climbed 0.56%. 

Speaking at the bank’s post-policy meeting press conference Draghi said a gradual economic recovery would begin this year, as structural reforms and actions by the ECB to tackle the region’s debt crisis continued to take effect. 

Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Labor said the number of individuals filing for initial jobless benefits in the week ending January 5 rose by 4,000 to a seasonally adjusted 371,000, compared to expectations for a decline of 2,000 to 365,000.

Jobless claims for the preceding week were revised down to 367,000 from a previously reported 372,000.

http://www.investing.com/news/stock-market-news/u.s.-stocks-rise-on-e.z.-optimism;-dow-jones-up-0.24-242897

Crude oil futures rally to 4-month high on China data, ECB

Investing.com - Crude oil futures rallied to the highest level since September during U.S. morning hours on Thursday, boosted by a broadly weaker U.S. dollar and following the release of robust Chinese trade data.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, light sweet crude futures for delivery in February traded at USD94.04 a barrel during U.S. morning trade, up 1% on the day. 

New York-traded oil prices rose by as much as 1.7% earlier in the day to hit a session high of USD94.69 a barrel, the strongest level since September 19.

Oil futures spiked to the highest levels of the session as the U.S. dollar came under heavy selling pressure after European Central Bank President Mario Draghi revealed the ECB was unanimous in its vote to leave interest rates unchanged.

Draghi’s comments came after the ECB left rates on hold at a record low 0.75% earlier, in a widely anticipated decision.

Sentiment on the euro had been buoyed earlier after Spain saw borrowing costs fall sharply at an auction of government debt.
http://www.investing.com/news/commodities-news/crude-oil-futures-rally-to-4-month-high-on-china-data,-ecb-242898

Crude oil futures drop as focus remains on U.S. fiscal concerns

Investing.com - Crude oil futures were lower during U.S. morning trade on Monday, as focus remained squarely on the U.S. economic outlook and how U.S. lawmakers will deal with the upcoming debt ceiling debate.

Some profit taking also contributed to losses, after New York-traded oil prices rallied to the highest level since mid-September last week. 

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, light sweet crude futures for delivery in February traded at USD92.75 a barrel during U.S. morning trade, down 0.35% on the day. 

New York-traded oil prices fell by as much as 0.7% earlier in the session to trade at a daily low of USD92.45 a barrel. Oil futures rose to USD93.82 a barrel on January 2, the strongest level since September 19.

New York-traded oil futures climbed 2.5% last week, the fourth consecutive weekly gain and the biggest advance in nearly three months.

Oil futures rallied last week after U.S. lawmakers passed a last-minute bill to avoid the fiscal cliff, a series of looming tax increases and spending cuts that could have pushed the U.S. economy back into a recession.

Forex - USD/CAD little changed in quiet trade

Investing.com - The U.S. dollar was almost unchanged against the Canadian dollar on Monday, amid caution over the outlook for U.S. budget negotiations and speculation that the Federal Reserve may end its quantitative easing program before the end of the year.

USD/CAD hit 0.9860 during early U.S. trade, the session low; the pair subsequently consolidated at 0.9868, dipping 0.05%.

The pair was likely to find support at 0.9835, the low of January 2 and near-term resistance at 0.9883, the session high.

Demand for the greenback continued to be underpinned after Thursday’s minutes from the Fed’s December meeting showed that some policymakers considered an earlier-than-expected end to the bank’s quantitative easing program.

However official data on Friday showed the U.S. economy added 155,000 jobs in December, easing from an upwardly revised increase of 161,000 in November, fanning concerns that the pace of the recovery in the U.S. labor market is moderating.
http://www.investing.com/news/forex-news/forex---usd-cad-little-changed-in-quiet-trade-242724

U.S. stocks decline amid fiscal jitters; Dow Jones down 0.46%

Investing.com - U.S. stocks opened lower on Monday, as concerns over a potential slowdown of the U.S. job market coupled with worries over upcoming U.S. debt ceiling discussions weighed on investor confidence. 

During early U.S. trade, the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 0.46%, the S&P 500 index declined 0.44%, while the Nasdaq Composite index retreated 0.40%. 

On Friday, the U.S. Department of Labor said the economy added 155,000 jobs in December, slightly higher than forecasts for an increase of 150,000, but easing from an upwardly revised increase of 161,000 in November, suggesting that the recovery in the labor market may be slowing. 

The data came one day after the minutes of the Federal Reserves’ December policy meeting showed that some policymakers considered an earlier-than-expected end to the bank’s quantitative easing program. 

Investors also remained cautious over the longer term outlook in the U.S., with negotiations on raising the debt ceiling still to come in February. 
http://www.investing.com/news/stock-market-news/u.s.-stocks-decline-amid-fiscal-jitters;-dow-jones-down-0.46-242725

Forex - USD/JPY softens as dovish Fed minutes suggested continued easing

Investing.com - The dollar softened against the yen on Thursday after the Federal Reserve released the minutes of its December monetary policy meeting, which suggested that the U.S. central bank has no plans to quickly consider halting its quantitative easing program.

The Fed minutes offset a largely risk-off trading rally that saw the greenback shoot up against other currencies save the yen.

In U.S. trading on Thursday, USD/JPY was trading at 87.19, down 0.18%, up from a session low of 86.77 and off a high of 87.36.

The pair was likely to find support at 86.54, Wednesday's low, and resistance at 87.36, the earlier high.

The Federal Reserve is currently buying USD85 billion in mortgage debt and Treasury holdings held by banks a month to stimulate the economy and encourage job creation, a monetary policy tool known as quantitative easing, which weakens the dollar as a side effect.

According to Fed minutes released Thursday, that policy will stay in play for now though it may wind down later in 2013.

"A few members expressed the view that ongoing asset purchases would likely be warranted until about the end of 2013, while a few others emphasized the need for considerable policy accommodation but did not state a specific time frame or total for purchases," the Fed minutes read.

"Several others thought that it would probably be appropriate to slow or to stop purchases well before the end of 2013, citing concerns about financial stability or the size of the balance sheet. One member viewed any additional purchases as unwarranted."

While the Fed may wind down its easing program in 2013, such as decision won't come soon, currency markets concluded, which weakened the dollar against the yen, another safe-haven currency.

Fears the U.S. will see a repeat of the 2011 debt-ceiling debacle, when lawmakers waited until the last minute to raise the country's borrowing limit, narrowly avoiding default, kept some investors parked in the safe-haven greenback earlier despite positive news coming out of the labor market that would otherwise fueled appetite for risk.

The U.S. will likely hit its borrowing limit in February after the Treasury exhausts special accounting measures to delay hitting the debt ceiling.

Elsewhere, U.S. payroll processer ADP said earlier that non-farm private employment rose by a seasonally adjusted 215,000 in December, beating market calls  for an increase of 133,000. 

November's figure was revised up to a gain of 148,000 from a previously reported increase of 118,000.

Separately, the U.S. Department of Labor reported that the number of individuals filing initial jobless claims during in the week ending Dec. 29 rose by 10,000 to a seasonally adjusted 372,000, compared to expectations for a decline of 7,000 to 355,000, which dampened the ADP's data.

Jobless claims for the preceding week were revised up to 362,000 from a previously reported 350,000.

The yen, meanwhile was up against the pound and up against the euro, with GBP/JPY down 1.08% and trading at 140.44 and EUR/JPY trading down 1.10% at 113.91.

Forex - USD/JPY jumps to multi-year high ahead of jobs report

Investing.com - The U.S. dollar soared to its highest levels in more than two years against the Japanese yen in Friday’s Asian session as Japanese equities soared and traders awaited the U.S. jobs report for December due out later today. 

In Asian trading Friday, USD/JPY surged 0.51% to 87.69. Earlier in the session, USD/JPY traded as high as 87.77, marking the highest levels for the dollar against the yen since late July 2010. 

Over the past five trading days, the yen has slumped by about 2% against the greenback. The pair was likely to find support at 86.54, Wednesday's low, and has broken through resistance at 87.36, the earlier high. 

Amid speculation that the Federal Reserve may begin winding down its quantitative easing program this year, the dollar was bid higher against most of the other major currencies. Minutes from the most recent Federal Open Market Committee meeting released during Thursday’s U.S. session indicate division among Fed governors regarding when QE3 should grind to a halt. 

While the Fed has pledged to keep interest rates low until the U.S. unemployment rate, currently 7.7%, drops below 6.5%, the central bank has not given a definitive date for the end of its easing efforts. In the near-term, the Fed still plans to make monthly bond purchases of USD85 billion. 

In the midst of its longest losing streak against the dollar in roughly 24 years, the yen’s weakness is lifting shares of Japanese exporters andUSD/JPY should be in focus during Friday’s U.S. session as Bank of Japan Deputy Governor Kiyohiko Nishimura is scheduled to give a speech later today in the U.S. Japanese equity exchanges are open today for the first time in 2013 following a four-day holiday break. 

Elsewhere, EUR/JPY climbed 0.38% to 114.28 while AUD/JPY added 0.3% to 91.59. GBP/JPY was higher by 0.33% at 141.00. 

Crude gains as U.S. stockpiles drop more than expected

Investing.com - Crude oil futures rose on Friday after official data revealed that the country's inventories fell more than expected last week.

Uncertainty as to when the Federal Reserve may wind down its stimulus programs kept the growth-sensitive commodity's gains in check.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, light, sweet crude futures for delivery in February traded at USD92.96 a barrel on Friday, up 0.04%, off from a session high of USD93.10 and up from an earlier session low of USD91.55.

In a report, Energy Information Administration said that U.S. crude oil inventories fell by 11.12 million barrels last week, well above market calls for a decrease of 919,000 barrels, which pushed up prices on sentiment demand for fuels an energy may be stronger than once thought.

Elsewhere, jobs data came in stronger than expected in the U.S. though uncertainty over the Federal Reserve's plans to wind down stimulus tools dampened the rally.

In the U.S. earlier, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the U.S. economy added 155,000 nonfarm payrolls in December, beating market calls for the economy to create 150,000 new jobs. 

In addition, the U.S. employment rate remained unchanged at 7.8% last month, though markets had hoped for a decline to 7.7%.

Meanwhile, the Bureau of Labor Statistics revised October's figures to 137,000 from 138,000 new jobs and hiked November's figure to 161,000 from 146,000.

Elsewhere, service-sector data came in better than expected in the U.S. as well. 

The U.S. Institute of Supply Management reported earlier that its non-manufacturing index improved to 56.1 in December from 54.7 in November, beating expectations for a rise to 54.2.

In the eurozone, preliminary data revealed that inflation came in stronger than expected last month, which was also bullish for crude.

The currency zone's consumer price index remained unchanged at an annualized rate of 2.2% in December, outpacing market calls for the index to tick down to 2.1% in December.

Oil, however, jumped in and out of positive territory due to market sentiments that U.S. central bankers may be grouping off into different camps when it comes to deciding when a USD85 million monthly bond-buying program designed to stimulate the economy should wind down.

"A few members expressed the view that ongoing asset purchases would likely be warranted until about the end of 2013, while a few others emphasized the need for considerable policy accommodation but did not state a specific time frame or total for purchases," the Fed said in the minutes of its December monetary policy meeting released this week. 

"Several others thought that it would probably be appropriate to slow or to stop purchases well before the end of 2013, citing concerns about financial stability or the size of the balance sheet. One member viewed any additional purchases as unwarranted."

The bond-buying program, known technically as quantitative easing but dubbed by many as printing money out of thin air, weakens the U.S. dollar and pumps up stock and commodity prices by flooding the economy with liquidity.

Some saw the comments as a sign the Fed may wind down stimulus programs to prevent inflationary pressures from building, slowing recovery and strengthening the dollar in the process, which could pressure oil prices downward.

Meanwhile on the ICE Futures Exchange, Brent oil futures for February delivery were down 0.83% at USD111.20 a barrel, up USD18.24 from its U.S. counterpart.