Asian Stocks Improved

(Reuters) - A brightening economic outlook and news most U.S. banks passed their annual stress tests sent world share markets higher and lent weight to the view that further Fed easing was less likely, pushing up the U.S. dollar across the board. The dollar's strength undermined the euro, which hit a one-month low of $1.3034, while the gains in equities attracted flows away from precious metals with gold slipping for a third straight session and oil prices falling. "The markets do run very much on confidence and at the moment, that's improved greatly," said Grant Williamson, a partner at New Zealand brokerage Hamilton Hindin Greene. The FTSE Eurofirst .FTEU3 index of top European shares rose 0.5 percent at the open to 1,101.63, led by the banking sector where the STOXX Europe 600 bank ...

(Reuters) - Asian shares rose on Wednesday as upbeat U.S. economic data plus signs of improving capital positions at big American banks stoked appetites for risk, while reduced expectations for more monetary easing by the Federal Reserve underpinned the dollar. The dollar eased from a seven-week high against a basket of major currencies of 80.320 .DXY hit on Tuesday, but touched a fresh 11-month high of 83.28 yen. A brighter economic outlook hoisted U.S. equities to multi-year highs, with the Standard & Poor's 500 Index .SPX closing at its highest level since June 2008, while the Dow Jones industrial average ended at its loftiest since December 2007. Shares in Asia started robustly on Wednesday, though gains were later pared. The MSCI Asia Pacific ex-Japan index .MIAPJ0000PUS, carrying ...

Dukascopy Fundamental Analysis EUR Nicolas Sarkozy, France's President, said that the country may consider withdrawing for Schengen zone unless more efforts are put in stopping illegal immigration. Sarkozy speaking at President's election rally stressed that the progress has to be made during next 12 months otherwise France will exit Schengen zone. Illegal immigration is expected to be the core issue during elections in France. USD Crude oil futures eased down during the Asian session on Monday as traders started to cash out from the market after crude oil moved higher on the positive US labour data. Light, sweet crude oil futures for April delivery traded at 106.92 US Dollars per barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange, tumbling. GBP According to Lloyds Bank Corporate Markets, ...

(Reuters) - Asian shares rose on Friday, with Tokyo hitting a seven-month high, on signs Greece had successfully closed its bond swap offer for private creditors, although caution ahead of the release of U.S. employment data could check momentum. Preliminary results of Greece's bond swap are expected at 0600 GMT. Ahead of that, officials said there had been a strong take-up of the offer, which would open the way for Athens to secure funding needed to avoid a default. The MSCI Asia Pacific ex-Japan index .MIAPJ0000PUS rose 0.3 percent while Japan's Nikkei average .N225 opened up 1.5 percent, after global stocks had posted their best day in more than two months on Thursday. The euro was at $1.3272, not far from an overnight high of $1.3291, and commodity currencies such as the Australian ...

(Reuters) - Asian shares recovered on Thursday as investors cautiously bet on brightening prospects for Greece to secure a crucial bond swap, and so avoid a messy default, and U.S. data suggesting a recovery in the labor market ahead of key jobs figures. Other assets, from copper and gold to oil, along with commodity-linked currencies such as the Australian dollar, eked out gains, while the dollar took the back seat as risk sentiment warmed. The Greek debt swap deal and U.S. nonfarm payrolls, due on Friday, are seen as a test of whether markets can build on the optimism of recent months and overcome patchy growth figures that have dented sentiment. The European Central Bank is expected to hold interest rates steady at a policy meeting later in the day and some analysts expect an ...

Dukascopy Fundamental Analysis EUR Italy sold about 8.75 billion Euros of six-month treasury bills with yield 1.202%, reported Italy's Treasury on Monday. The borrowing costs fell by 1.97% since last month. The demand was strong, with bids exceeding supply 1.36 times. Meanwhile, 10-year bond yield added 5 basis points approaching 5.44%, reported FactSet Research. USD The Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan's consumer sentiment index climbed from 75.0 in January to 75.3 in February as Americans regained confidence about the country's economic outlook. The economists earlier predicted a figure to be at 73.0. Improvements in job market are outweighing concerns about rallying oil prices and instability in Iran, said Richard Curtin, the director of survey. GBP Aldermore and Shawbrook ...

(Reuters) - Gold retreated on Friday, shrugging off gains in the euro and struggling to maintain traction after this week's already hefty price climb, as buyers favored assets seen as higher risk such as stocks and industrial commodities. Prices are still heading for a second monthly gain, however. Silver outperfomed other precious metals to hit a fresh five-month high, after breaking a key technical level on Thursday. Spot gold was at $1,775.94 an ounce at 1300 GMT against $1,779,79 late on Thursday. The euro hit a 2-1/2-month high against the dollar, building on gains it made a day earlier after improved German business sentiment data and on lingering relief over an agreement for a second bailout of Greece. A consequently weaker dollar would usually weigh on gold. However, ...

(Reuters) - Gold prices held just below $1,780 an ounce in Europe on Friday, supported by gains in the euro and expectations that monetary policy will remain loose in key economies, but was struggling to maintain traction after this week's already hefty price climb. Silver rallied to a fresh five-month high after breaking a key technical level, meanwhile. Spot gold was at $1,778.34 an ounce at 1037 GMT against $1,779,79 late on Thursday, while U.S. gold futures for February delivery were down $5.70 at $1,780.50. The euro hit a 2-1/2-month high against the dollar, building on hefty gains it made a day earlier after improved German business sentiment data, and on lingering relief over an agreement for a second bailout of Greece. A two-day meeting of Group of 20 finance ministers ...

Fundamental Analysis EUR The approval of Greece's rescue package has provided European officials with time to persuade investors they are able to implement both fiscal discipline and growth. Italian and Spain borrowing costs fell on the Greek agreement. Yields for 10-year Spanish notes declined to 5.08% compared to 6.7% in November while Italian 10-year borrowing costs diminished below 5.4% compared to 7.1% in December. USD Sales of previously owned U.S. houses rose in January to the highest level since May 2010, adding to signs the housing market is regaining its footing. Purchases climbed 4.3 percent to a 4.57 million annual rate, less than forecast, from a revised 4.38 million pace in December that was slower than previously estimated, a report from National Association of Realtors ...