Nikkei Lifted by Positive Japanese Data, M&S Sees First Annual Profit in 4 Years
May 20, 2015 6:06 am
U.S. stocks ended mixed on Tuesday, with the Dow rising marginally to a second straight record high, as Wall Street digested housing data that some saw as hopeful for an economy struggling to grow. Meanwhile, Asian shares slipped on Wednesday after a mixed day on Wall Street, though Japan’s better-than-expected economic growth lifted the Nikkei to a nearly one-month high. The Dow closed 13 points higher at 18,312, the SP500 hit a intraday record of 2,133 before closing down 1 point at 2,127.
The Euro nursed losses after plunging more than 1% against the Dollar in the previous session, following European Central Bank Executive Board member Benoit Coeure saying the ECB could “moderately” increase its bond-buying programme in May and June, and possibly in September. The common currency was buying $1.1146, down slightly on the day. The Dollar was slightly higher against the Yen at 120.82, underpinned by the brighter U.S. data on Tuesday after a spate of weak economic figures.
Brent futures were up 60 cents at $64.62 a barrel. U.S. crude prices were also up 60 cents at $58.59 a barrel.
British retailer Marks & Spencer posted its first rise in annual profit in four years and said it would return excess cash to shareholders, fuelling hopes that it has finally rediscovered a successful formula. The stock is down 0.5% in early trade at 582p per share.
U.S. stocks ended mixed on Tuesday, with the Dow rising marginally to a second straight record high, as Wall Street digested housing data that some saw as hopeful for an economy struggling to grow. Meanwhile, Asian shares slipped on Wednesday after a mixed day on Wall Street, though Japan’s better-than-expected economic growth lifted the Nikkei to a nearly one-month high. The Dow closed 13 points higher at 18,312, the SP500 hit a intraday record of 2,133 before closing down 1 point at 2,127.
The Euro nursed losses after plunging more than 1% against the Dollar in the previous session, following European Central Bank Executive Board member Benoit Coeure saying the ECB could “moderately” increase its bond-buying programme in May and June, and possibly in September. The common currency was buying $1.1146, down slightly on the day. The Dollar was slightly higher against the Yen at 120.82, underpinned by the brighter U.S. data on Tuesday after a spate of weak economic figures.
Brent futures were up 60 cents at $64.62 a barrel. U.S. crude prices were also up 60 cents at $58.59 a barrel.
British retailer Marks & Spencer posted its first rise in annual profit in four years and said it would return excess cash to shareholders, fuelling hopes that it has finally rediscovered a successful formula. The stock is down 0.5% in early trade at 582p per share.
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