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European stocks increase, dollar climbs up as Fed rate path considered

European stocks rose on Wednesday, boosted by company profits, while U.S. futures were flat and the dollar climbed as investors examined the signals on the path for Federal Reserve rates of interest.

The yen fell even with the threat of currency intervention from Japanese authorities to support it. Oil rates wallowed near two-month lows.

Europe's continent-wide Stoxx 600 index increased 0.32%. on Wednesday, supported by positive incomes reports, after rising. 1.1% the previous day. Germany's DAX climbed 0.45% and. Britain's FTSE 100 increased 0.35%.

International stocks fell sharply in April as strong U.S. financial data caused investors to control their bets on rate. cuts from the Fed and, by extension, other significant reserve banks. this year.

But they have actually rallied once again in May, partly encouraged by. Friday's

nonfarm payrolls

jobs report, which revealed a cooling in the hot U.S. labour. market.

Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari suggested the. U.S. central bank might still require to pass up rate of interest cuts. this year due to stubborn inflation.

The marketplace is attempting to suss out whether data,. especially out of the U.S., is still coming out strong, or is. coming out perfect, said Samuel Zief, head of international FX. strategy at JPMorgan Private Bank.

Things in this week so far are more driven by the micro. than the macro: Company-specific incomes releases and things. like that have been driving things.

U.S. stock futures for the S&P 500 and Nasdaq. indexes were bit altered on Wednesday. Four straight. sessions of gains for the S&P has put it within 1.5% of the. record high touched in March.

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside. Japan fell 0.45% overnight.

In currency markets, the yen dropped 0.5% to 155.42 per. dollar even after Bank of Japan guv Kazuo Ueda. If, said the main bank might take financial policy action. currency falls impact rates significantly.

Japan has

intervened

to increase the currency from its lowest level in 34 years in. recent days, according to traders and experts, keeping the. market alert for additional swings.

The dollar index, which tracks the currency. versus 6 peers, increased 0.16% to 105.59, although stayed. around 1% listed below a 5-1/2 month high touched in April.

U.S. Treasury yields have actually fallen in recent. days as traders have transferred to price back in two rate of interest. cuts from the Fed this year, having seen one as more than likely in. the middle of April. The 10-year yield, which moves inversely to. the cost, was little bit changed at 4.469% on Wednesday.

Crude oil extended Tuesday's declines after market. sources stated that data due later on from the American Petroleum. Institute will show a jump in U.S. crude and fuel stocks for. last week, a sign of lower demand.

The U.S. thinks negotiations on a Gaza. ceasefire needs to have the ability to close the gaps between Israel and. Hamas, minimizing the threats of supply disturbances. Brent crude. oil futures fell 1.4% to $82.02 a barrel.

(source: Reuters)