Market information Friday December 11th 2015

The number of applications for unemployment benefits in the US increased by 13,000 to 282,000 last week. That is the highest number in five months. According to Reuters, the number of applications is usually more volatile around the holidays. The four-week moving average rose 1,500 last week to 270,750. Applications have been below 300,000 per week for 40 weeks in a row, which is associated with a healthy labour market.

On Wednesday, Jacob Zuma, president of South Africa, removed his finance minister Nhlanhla Nene from government. His departure led to turmoil in the country’s financial markets. The yield on 10-year South African government bonds rose from 8.84% on Wednesday to 10.16% on Thursday. The reason for Nene’s departure is still unclear.

Yesterday, European stock markets fell for the third day in a row. On Thursday, the pan-European FTSEurofirst 300 fell by 0.6% to its lowest level since mid-October. This month, the index fell by 6%.

The 6M Euribor remained unchanged at -0.03%. The 10Y Swap remained unchanged at 0.91%.

In the attachment, today’s market data on money and capital market rates as well as other rates are presented. For more history of these rates or other rates feel free to ask: update@zanders.eu.