Market Information Thursday 18 April 2024

In March consumer prices in the eurozone rose by 2.4 percent on an annual basis, according to the final figures from Eurostat released on Wednesday. Inflation was 2.6 percent in February. Core inflation, an important measure for the ECB, stood at 2.9 percent year-on-year in March, down from 3.1 percent in February. Core inflation excludes volatile prices for energy, food, alcohol, and tobacco. On a monthly basis, consumer prices in the eurozone increased by 0.8 percent and core prices by 1.1 percent in March.

Consumer prices in the United Kingdom rose slightly more than expected in March, according to figures published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). On an annual basis, prices increased by 3.2 percent, while economists had anticipated a rise of 3.1 percent. In the previous month, the price level had risen by 3.4 percent. On a monthly basis, prices increased by 0.6 percent, after a rise of 0.8 percent a month earlier. A rise of 0.5 percent had been expected.

Crude oil inventories in the United States rose more than expected last week, according to figures released Wednesday by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). For the week ending on April 12, crude oil inventories increased by 2.7 million barrels to 460.0 million barrels. An increase of 600,000 barrels had been projected. Gasoline inventories decreased by 1.2 million barrels to 227.4 million barrels, compared to an anticipated decrease of 1 million barrels. Stocks of heating oil and diesel, dropped by 2.8 million barrels to 115.0 million barrels, whereas economists had forecast a drop of 0.4 million barrels. The capacity utilization of refineries decreased from 88.3 percent to 88.1 percent, although a slight increase to 88.9 percent had been expected.

The 6M Euribor increased with 2 basis points to 3.84% compared to previous business day. The 10Y Swap decreased with 4 basis points to 2.77% compared to previous business day.

In the attachment, today’s market data on money and capital market rates as well as other rates are presented.