OVERNIGHT MARKETS ROUND UP – 27/01/14

The AUD/USD took a dive throughout the night after the Private Capital Expenditure fell -5.2%, significantly lower than the forecasted figure of -1%. The Capex figures revealed that firms in the December quarter spent considerably less on plant, equipment and machinery, down 8.6%. 

The USD rallied against the majority of its major counterparts throughout the night as tensions increase in Ukraine sending investors into frenzy for the ‘safe-haven’. Commodities took a slight hit due to the Federal Reserve and its stimulus cuts. 

Royal Bank of Scotland has today reported an £8.2bn loss for 2013, the sixth annual loss for the bank. The 81% UK taxpayer owned bank reported a 15% drop in its bonus pool however they did see a £2.5bn operating profit excluding legacy costs and its bad bank.

 Looking at the day ahead, investors are seeing a slightly lower opening on the FTSE 100 with Spreadex calling it down around 6 points. With a day full of economic data and speeches, alongside geopolitical happenings around the world, it looks to be a pretty volatile day for global markets. 

German unemployment change, prelim CPI and import prices will be released this morning shortly followed by unemployment claims and core durable goods orders over in America. Federal Reserve chair, Janet Yellen, will testify before the Senate Banking Committee this afternoon; however investors aren’t expecting her to say anything to spook the markets.