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European stocks near all-time highs, yields climb higher

European stocks held near alltime highs on Tuesday, while euro zone federal government bond yields followed U.S. Treasuries in climbing up higher after U.S. manufacturing information called into question the Federal Reserve's rate cut projection.

Information on Monday showed U.S. manufacturing grew for the very first time in 1-1/2 years in March as production rebounded sharply and new orders increased, highlighting the strength of the economy and raising doubts about whether the Fed might actually deliver the three interest rate cuts outlined in its newest forecast. By contrast, euro zone production activity contracted at an even steeper rate in March than in February, as demand continued to fall, information on Tuesday showed.

German inflation alleviated, data revealed. More comprehensive euro zone inflation data is due on Wednesday, and will be carefully watched for indications about when the European Central Bank will cut rates.

European stocks rose in early trading, starting the second quarter on a favorable note as financial markets re-opened after Easter public vacations. The initial gains reduced over the course of the European early morning session.

At 1144 GMT, the pan-European STOXX 600 index was flat on the day, having actually hit a new all-time high previously in the session. London's FTSE 100 index was up 0.2%,. however Germany's DAX slipped 0.1%.

Huge European stocks had risen throughout the very first quarter of. the year.

Wall Street futures were a touch lower, but still within. reach of recent all-time highs. Nasdaq e-minis were down 0.5%. and S&P e-minis were down 0.4%.

That broad upbeat mood which lifted stocks rather. impressively throughout the very first quarter appears to be sticking. around as we kick off the second quarter, stated Fiona Cincotta,. senior markets analyst at City Index.

Monday's U.S. manufacturing data sent yields on U.S. Treasuries higher and they rose even more on Tuesday, with the. benchmark U.S. 10-year yield at 4.3571%, compared to the. previous session's two-week high of 4.337%.

The raised yields raised the dollar to its greatest in. almost five months on Monday. On Tuesday the dollar index was. steady at 104.94 and the euro was bit changed at. $ 1.07455.

Euro zone federal government bond yields likewise followed Treasury. yields greater. Germany's 10-year yield was up around 10 basis. points at 2.394%.

The yen was stable against the dollar at 151.645. Traders are looking for any signs of intervention from Japanese. authorities, after it touched a 34-year low of 151.975 last. week.

The ongoing run of robust U.S. information is making the lives. of Japanese currency authorities attempting to support the yen. increasingly unpleasant, stated Tony Sycamore, market analyst. at IG. He said intervention was unlikely until after the 152.00. level was breached.

Japanese Financing Minister Shunichi Suzuki stated on Tuesday. that authorities were prepared to take proper action against. extreme currency market volatility.

Oil prices increased, assisted by indications that demand from China and. the United States might enhance, as well as by dangers to oil. supply.

In the Middle East, an Israeli strike on Iran's embassy in. Syria eliminated seven military advisors, amongst them three senior. commanders, marking an escalation in the war in Gaza in between. Israel and Hamas, which is supported by Iran. Analysts stated. Iran's participation might affect oil supply.

Ukraine struck among Russia's most significant refineries on. Tuesday.

Brent unrefined futures were up 1.26% at $88.52 a barrel. while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures were up 1.42%. at $84.91 a barrel.

Area gold increased 0.4% to $2,259.7 an ounce, having struck. a new all-time high.

(source: Reuters)