Latest News

European stocks edge higher as dollar eases, oil prices fall

International markets revealed signs of recovery on Thursday, with European stocks increasing somewhat and the U.S. dollar pulling back from recent gains, while financing chiefs of the U.S., Japan and Korea provided an uncommon warning about currency weakness.

Stock exchange sold earlier today, and Treasury yields and the U.S. dollar surged to multi-month highs, after financiers were alarmed by tensions in the Middle East after Iran's missile and drone attack on Israel on April 13. Combined quarterly company earnings so far and recent remarks from the U.S. Federal Reserve, which dampened rate cut expectations, also made financiers more risk-averse.

The risk-off pullback showed signs of relieving on Thursday. Asian stocks made their most significant gains in a month and European stocks opened higher, assisted by more favorable company incomes.

At 1208 GMT, the MSCI World Equity Index was up 0.2% on the day, however still down 2% so far this week.

The pan-European STOXX 600 was flat on the day, having actually lost its gains from earlier in the session, while London's. FTSE 100 was up 0.2%.

Wall Street futures were a touch greater, as chip stocks. rebounded. Nasdaq e-minis were up 0.2% and S&P 500. e-minis were up 0.2%.

Fiona Cincotta, senior markets analyst at City Index, said. that markets were being supported by a shift in focus far from. the Fed and towards upcoming earnings, including Netflix. later Thursday.

Remarks from European Reserve bank vice president Luis de. Guindos and an easing of oil rates have actually also assisted assistance. belief in Europe, she added.

There's still a bit of optimism of lower rates, in. the euro zone, that's assisting support European stocks, Cincotta. stated.

Oil costs reduced, with Brent futures down 0.7% at. $ 86.66 a barrel and U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude. futures down 0.6% at $82.17 a barrel.

The two standards moved 3% on Wednesday, in a relocation. credited to indications that fuel demand is lower than expected this. year, amidst flagging financial growth in China.

Lower oil prices can be viewed as positive for stock markets. as they help consist of inflation, improving the chances for. reserve bank rates of interest cuts.

Analysts do not anticipate dramatic new sanctions on Iranian. oil, which represents about 3% of global output.

The U.S. dollar index was down by less than 0.1% at 105.9. and the euro was flat at $1.067275. The dollar. had actually risen in recent weeks, and is up 1.4% up until now this month, in. its fourth consecutive month of gains. The index hit as high as. 106.51 on Tuesday.

The United States, Japan and South Korea accepted seek advice from. carefully on foreign exchange markets in their first trilateral. finance discussion on Wednesday, acknowledging concerns from Tokyo. and Seoul over their currencies' recent sharp decreases.

Experts stated the rare warning from the three nations'. finance chiefs might lay the groundwork for Japan to intervene in. the yen.

The dollar-yen set was at 154.45, within sight of Tuesday's. 154.79, which was the yen's weakest in 34 years.

U.S. Treasury yields were edging back up, with the 10-year. yield at 4.6059% and the 2-year yield at 4.9583% .

In euro zone government bonds, the benchmark German 10-year. yield was flat at 2.471%.

Gold was a touch higher at 2,381.49.

(source: Reuters)