U.S. stocks mostly declined Thursday afternoon, with the S&P 500 retreating after rising to within two

points of its record close and the Nasdaq Composite extending losses into a third day, as investors sorted

through a mixed bag of earnings. More >>

The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits fell more than expected last week,

indicating the labor market was strengthening. Initial claims for state unemployment benefits declined

26,000 to a seasonally adjusted 319,000 for the week ended May 3. More >>

DAILY

8th May 2014

OIL (WTI: $100.28/bl, -0.47%; BRENT: $108.01/bl, +0.19%): Crude oil dropped with supplies at a

seasonal record high and as the euro slipped against the dollar. More >>

NATURAL GAS ($4.578/MmBtu, -3.49%): Natural gas prices dropped on Thursday after data revealed

U.S. stockpiles rose more than expected last week. More >>

NICKEL ($19.405/ton,+4.10%): Nickel surged to two-year high as global supply concerns mounted

following a plant closure in New Caledonia by Vale SA, the world’s second-biggest producer. More >>

DISCLAIMER: Daily Briefs contains a summary of financial news covered on conventional news services around the world. Daily Briefs coverage of subjects is based on the

whims of its volunteer contributors. FEP Finance Club is not responsible for any imprecision or error in the content of any news.

PSI20: +0.18% DAX30: +0.90% FTSE100: +0.63% S&P500: -0.14% NIKKEI225: +0.93%

Asian stocks rose, recovering some of Wednesday’s largest drop in seven weeks, as Chinese trade

unexpectedly climbed and Chair Yellen said the Fed will continue to support the U.S. economy. More >>

China's exports and imports rose marginally in April, official data showed Thursday, rebounding from

sharp declines the month before, with the country reporting a second straight trade surplus. More >>

Australia’s unemployment rate has held steady in April against expectations of a rise, according to data

from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. More >>

A major European equity index surged to near six-year highs on Thursday, led by Italian and Spanish

banks, after the European Central Bank opened the door to more stimulus measures in June. The Euro

STOXX 50 index rose 1.4% to 3,204.30 points, recording its biggest one-day rise since April 16. More >>

The European Central Bank held its benchmark interest rate at a record low in May, despite ongoing

concerns over deflationary pressures in the region, it announced on Thursday. The ECB said it was

maintaining its benchmark interest rate at a record-low 0.25%, in line with market expectations. More >>

The PSI-20 fluctuated throughout the session between gains and losses, but closed on positive territory,

boosted by gains of the energy sector: EDP rose 1.77%, EDP Renewables advanced 0.95%, while REN

climbed more than 2%. More >>

Portuguese Energy exports fell abruptly in March. Galp’s Sines refinery stopped its activity in the third

month of the year, and for a period of 45 days, which helps explain the fall in exports of energy. Despite

that, according to INE, industry’s turnover index rose 0.3% in March. More >>