Financial Markets Closing

Jobless claims rose by 4,000 for a second week to reach 372,000 in the period ended by 8/18, reflecting little progress in the labor market.

U.S. house prices jumped 1.8% in second quarter from previous three months on record-low mortgage rates. This was the biggest rise since Q2 2005.

Greek prime minister Antonis Samaras suggested that his government could sell/lease some of the country’s islands to revive state asset sales plan.

HSBC’s outlook cut to negative by S&P amid regulatory scandals.

Equities:
DJIA: 13,057 (-0.88%) Biggest decline month-to-date
S&P500: 1,402 (-0.81%)
Nasdaq: 3,053 (-0.66%)
EuroStoxx: -0.98%
Nikkei: +0.51%
Hang Seng: 1.23%

Commodities:
WTI Crude: 96.05 (-1.24%)
Nat Gas: -0.07%
Copper: +0.59%
Corn: -2.40%

FX:
EURUSD: 1.2561 (+0.26%)
DXY Dollar Index: 81.364 (-0.15%)

Rates:
U.S. 10y: 1.6677% (-2bp)
German 10y: 1.377% (-8bp)
Spanish 10y: 6.346% (+7bp)
Italian 10y: 5.699% (+4bp)