Nikkei snaps 7-day rally on profit-taking but posts weekly gain

Fri Oct 18, 2013 7:24am BST
TOKYO, Oct 18 (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei stock average
slipped on Friday, succumbing to profit-taking after a
seven-session rally, while investors pondered the impact of the
U.S. government shutdown on the world's largest economy.

The benchmark Nikkei eased 0.2 percent to 14,561.54,
after a seven-day rally through Thursday that was its longest
winning streak in 7-1/2 months. On the week, it gained 1.1
percent, its second straight weekly gain.

The broader Topix shed 0.1 percent to 1,205.52 in
relatively light trade, with 2.06 billion shares changing hands.

Japanese stocks showed a muted reaction to a slew of Chinese
economic data that showed a pick-up in growth momentum but were
broadly within expectations.

Midday Market Overview

BREAKING NEWS: European Union and Canada agree free-trade deal – EU statement

CAD Core CPI m/m 0.2% 0.2% 0.2%

Insight - Europe's bold vision hits trouble

(Reuters) - Barely a year after European leaders set out an ambitious vision for the euro zone's future, progress has all but stalled and pressure is building for what may amount to a 'make or break' moment for the union.

The idea of a roadmap setting out steps towards the deeper integration of the euro zone came about in early 2012, when the debt crisis was at its peak and there were legitimate fears that Greece could be forced out of the currency union, or that the whole European project could disintegrate.

Say cheese - EU strikes trade deal with Canada, looks to U.S.

BRUSSELS/LUXEMBOURG | Fri Oct 18, 2013 3:01pm BST
(Reuters) - The European Union and Canada agreed a multi-billion-dollar trade pact on Friday that will integrate two of the world's largest economies and paves the way for Europe to clinch an even bigger deal with the United States.

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso sealed the pact - the EU's first with a member of the Group of Eight biggest world economies - by resolving outstanding issues in Brussels.

Google shares hit $1,000 after strong earnings

Google shares have topped $1,000 (£617) for the first time after the company reported better-than-expected earnings.

The company posted a 36% jump in net profits to $2.97bn for the July-to-September period.

Shares in the giant online search and ads company rose more than 13% to $1,006, and are now up 41% since the start of 2013.

End-of-day Market Overview