Most European and emerging-market stocks rose, while Treasuries and German bunds fell with the yen before reports that may signal the U.S. economic recovery is gathering pace. Copper climbed after an earthquake and tsunami in Chile, the world’s largest producer of the metal.
The Stoxx Europe 600 Index increased 0.2 percent by 8:21 a.m. in London, with twice as many shares gaining as falling. The MSCI Emerging Markets Index erased most of this year’s drop. Futures on the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index added 0.1 percent. U.S. 10-year Treasury yields rose a second day while rates on similar duration bunds increased two basis points and the cost of insuring Asian bonds fell. The ruble tumbled 0.8 percent and New Zealand’s dollar weakened 0.4 percent versus the dollar. Copper rose 0.4 percent
The S&P 500 closed at a record overnight as manufacturing indexes and vehicle-sales data signaled growth may be quickening in the world’s largest economy ahead of employment reports that start today. A measure of U.K. home prices is due today and European Union finance ministers meet in Athens before the European Central Bank decides monetary policy tomorrow. At least five people died as a magnitude 8.2 earthquake off the coast of Chile sent tsunamis toward the Pacific coasts of Central and South America.
Bloomberg
