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March US Retail Sales Ex Auto, Gas Rise 0.6% Vs. Expected 0.3% Gain, Prior 0.6% Gain

March US Retail Sales Ex Auto Rise 1.9% Vs. Expected 1.4% Gain, Prior 0.7% Gain

March US Retail Sales Rise 1.7% Vs. Expected 1.4% Gain, Prior 0.7% Gain

Crude Prices, Peace Talk Reports Lift European Bourses Midday

European bourses tracked moderately higher midday Tuesday as global crude prices softened and traders weighed mixed reports of a possible renewal of Tehran-Washington peace negotiations, slated for Islamabad this week.Front-month North Sea Brent crude oil futures were down 0.5% at $95.02 a barrel.Tech and property stocks led gains on continental trading floors, while bank shares lagged.Investors also eyed Wall Street futures in the green, and higher closes overnight on Asian exchanges.In economic news, the European Commission will provide guidance on how to handle airport slots and passenger rights, as well as public-service obligations in the event of jet fuel shortages due to Persian Gulf hostilities, said European Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas on Tuesday, reported Reuters.There are no continental fuel shortages "as of today" but the consequences of a continued blockade of the Strait of Hormuz could be "catastrophic," said Tzitzikostas.The pan-continental Stoxx Europe 600 Index was up 0.2% mid-session.The Stoxx Europe 600 Technology Index was up 1.2%, and the Stoxx 600 Banks Index gained 0.4%.The Stoxx Europe 600 Oil and Gas Index eased 0.4%, while the Stoxx 600 Europe Food and Beverage Index declined 0.6%.The REITE, a European REIT index, rose 0.8%.On the national market indexes, Germany's DAX was up 0.6%, and the FTSE 100 in London was flat. The CAC 40 in Paris was up 0.1%, and Spain's IBEX 35 lifted 0.4%.Yields on benchmark 10-year German bonds were steady, near 2.98%.The Euro Stoxx 50 volatility index was down 1.5% at 22.29, but still indicating above-average volatility for European stock markets in the next 30 days, a negative signal. A reading above 20 indicates choppier markets ahead, while below 20 suggests calmer exchanges.

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US Dollar Rises Early Tuesday Ahead of Philadelphia Fed Nonmanufacturing, Retail Sales, Warsh Hearing

The US dollar rose against its major trading partners early Tuesday ahead of the release of the Philadelphia Federal Reserve's non-manufacturing report for April and retail sales data for March, both at 8:30 am ET.Weekly Redbook same-store sales data are due to be released at 8:55 am ET, followed by pending home sales data for March and business inventories data for February, both at 10:00 am ET, at the same time as a nomination hearing for Kevin Warsh to be Fed chair.Fed Governor Christopher Waller is due to speak at 2:30 pm ET but is unlikely to make any comments on the economy or monetary policy due to the quiet period ahead of the April 28-29 Federal Open Market Committee meeting.A quick summary of foreign exchange activity heading into Tuesday:EUR/USD fell to 1.1763 from 1.1786 at the Monday US close and 1.1771 at the same time Monday morning. Eurozone economic sentiment declined in April, according to data released overnight. The next European Central Bank meeting is scheduled for April 30.GBP/USD fell to 1.3510 from 1.3533 at the Monday US close and 1.3520 at the same time Monday morning. UK employment and earnings growth slowed in February, while the unemployment rate declined in the same month, and UK jobless claims increased in March. The next Bank of England meeting is scheduled for April 30.USD/JPY rose to 159.2261 from 158.8456 at the Monday US close and 158.9285 at the same time Monday morning. There were no Japanese data released overnight. The next Bank of Japan meeting is scheduled for April 27-28.USD/CAD rose to 1.3657 from 1.3646 at the Monday US close, but was below a level of 1.3686 at the same time Monday morning. There are no Canadian data on Tuesday's schedule. The next Bank of Canada meeting is scheduled for April 29.

Dow JonesNasdaq CompositeS&P 500

Easing Crude Prices, Middle East Views Lift Wall Street Pre-Bell; Asia, Europe Up

Wall Street futures pointed moderately higher pre-bell Tuesday on easing global oil prices, and mixed reports of additional peace talks between Tehran and Washington, possibly starting on Wednesday.In the futures, the S&P 500 rose 0.4%, the Nasdaq inclined 0.4% and the Dow Jones was up 0.6%.West Texas Intermediate crude oil traded down 0.7% at $86.79, in pre-bell action.Investors also await the March retail sales report from Washington, scheduled for an 8:30 am ET release, and likely to be parsed for clues to American consumer spending patterns, given higher fuel bills.In political news, the Senate Banking Committee hearing of Kevin Warsh, for the Federal Reserve chair, starts at 10 am ET.Asian exchanges traded in the green overnight, while European bourses edged north midday on the continent.On the earnings scene, 3M (MMM) slipped 0.9% pre-bell after the diversified manufacturer reported Q1 adjusted earnings and sales above consensus, but offered tempered guidance, in morning hours.GE Aerospace (GE) traded up 3.1% pre-bell after the tech-manufacturer reported Q1 earnings and revenue above outlooks, and affirmed guidance, in pre-market release.D.R. Horton (DHI) traded up 2.1% pre-bell after the homebuilder reported fiscal Q2 earnings and revenue above expectations, and modestly lifted guidance, in morning release.UnitedHealth (UNH) shares gained 6.5% pre-bell after the healthcare giant reported Q1 earnings and revenue above consensus, and issued solid guidance, in morning hours.On the economic calendar, in addition to the retail sales report, is the business inventories bulletin for February, along with the pending homes sales index for March, at 10 am ET.Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller is slated to speak on Tuesday.In premarket action, Bitcoin traded at $76,579 and 10-year US Treasuries offered 4.25%. Spot gold commanded $4,783 an ounce.

Market Chatter: China's Silver Imports Surge to Record High in March on Solar Demand

Chinese silver imports surged to an all-time high of 836 tons in March, Bloomberg reported Monday, citing Customs.The haul compares with the country's 10-year seasonal average of 306 tons, Bloomberg said.Investors piled into small silver bars as an alternative to expensive gold, while solar manufacturers frontloaded more silver ahead of the removal of export tax rebates on April 1, the report said.Solar companies consume about 20% of silver annually, the report said.(Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)

Shanghai Composite^SZSE

Hang SengNikkei 225Shanghai Composite

Easing Crude Oil Prices Lift Asian Stock Markets

Asian stock markets gained ground on Wednesday, as traders noted easing global crude prices and weighed prospects for US-Iran peace negotiations.Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Tokyo finished in the green, as did most other regional exchanges.Brent crude traded for $94.68 during trading hours, off 0.8% on the day.In Japan, the Nikkei 225 opened higher and held ground, finishing up 0.9% as bank and tech issues advanced on earnings results and outlooks.The benchmark Nikkei 225 rose 524.28 points to 59,349.17, marking the fourth straight trading day in the green, although losing issues outnumbered gainers 144 to 79.Leading the upside was tech goods manufacturer Ibiden, up 10.3%, while software tester Shift declined 6.3%.In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng Index closed up 0.4% on easing oil prices.The broad-gauge Hang Seng rose 126.41 points to 26,487.48 as gainers outnumbered losers 59 to 30. The Hang Seng TECH Index lost 0.1% on the day, while the Mainland Properties Index rose 1.3%.Leading the upside was Contemporary Amperex Technology, gaining 4.8%, while smartphone components maker Sunny Optical Technology declined 2.4%.On the mainland, the Shanghai Composite rose 0.1% to 4,085.08.On the other regional exchanges, the South Korean KOSPI rose 2.7%; the Taiwan TWSE gained 1.8%; the Australian ASX 200 was steady; the Singapore Straits Times Index rose 0.2%, and the Thai Set advanced 0.1%. In late trading in Mumbai, the Sensex was up 1%The MSCI All Country Asia Pacific Index rose 0.7% on the day.

China's Registered Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Fleet Rises 51% in 2025

China's registered unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) fleet rose 51% year over year to 3.3 million units in 2025, Xinhua News Agency reported Monday, citing the Civil Aviation Administration.Flight hours on UAVs surged nearly 70% to 45.3 million during the year.

Shanghai Composite^SZSE

Eurozone Economic Sentiment Drops in April, ZEW Says

The euro area's economic sentiment index fell to -20.4 points in April from -8.5 points in March, amid the ongoing Iran war, research institute ZEW said Tuesday.The latest reading compares with the Investing.com consensus estimate of -12.7 points.Meanwhile, the ZEW current situation indicator dropped by 13.1 points to -43 points.

ZEW: German Economic Sentiment Tumbles in April; Current Conditions Worsen

Germany's economic sentiment index dropped to -17.2 points in April from -0.5 point in March, research institute ZEW said Tuesday.The consensus estimate for the month was -6.7 points, according to Investing.com.Meanwhile, the current situation indicator came in at -73.7 points, compared with the previous -62.9 points and the expected -70 points.

Taiwan Export Orders Soar 66% in March

Taiwan's export orders surged 65.9% year over year in March to $91.1 billion, the Ministry of Economic Affairs said Tuesday.In local currency, the export orders soared 60.2% annually to NT$2.902 trillion.

Taiwan Weighted

Spanish Trade Deficit Declines in February

Spain's trade deficit narrowed to 3.30 billion euros in February, compared with 4.01 billion euros in January, according to government data published Tuesday.Exports rose 9.7% month over month to 31.72 billion euros, while imports increased 6.3% to 35.02 billion euros.

Swiss Watch Exports Down 1% in March

Switzerland's watch exports fell 1% year over year to 2.11 billion francs in March, due mainly to a decline in watches made of precious metals and steel.Exports of wristwatches decreased 0.6%, while the other products category declined 8.8%, the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry said Tuesday.In the first quarter of 2026, overseas shipments reached 6.2 billion francs, up 1.4% from the first three months of 2025.

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UK Claimant Count Jumps in March

Unemployment benefits claims in the UK rose by 26,849 in March, after a revised increase of 17,100 in the prior month, data from the Office for National Statistics showed Tuesday.The consensus estimate for the month indicated growth of 21,400 in unemployment benefit claims.

FTSE 100

Swiss Quarterly Trade Surplus Narrows in Q1

Switzerland's trade surplus decreased to 11.10 billion francs in the first quarter from the revised 11.26 billion francs in the prior three-month period, according to data from the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security published Tuesday.Seasonally adjusted exports fell 4.2% on a nominal basis, while quarterly imports decreased 4.7%.

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UK Unemployment Rate Falls to 4.9% in Quarter to February

Britain's unemployment rate stood at 4.9% in the three months to February, down from 5.2% in the prior three-month period, according to data from the Office for National Statistics published Tuesday.Analysts expected unemployment to remain stable at 5.2%.Meanwhile, the UK employment rate was 75% during the quarter to February.

FTSE 100

UK Average Earnings Including Bonuses Up 3.8% in Three Months to February

Britain's average weekly pay, including bonuses, increased 3.8% year over year in the quarter to February, following a revised 4.1% jump in the prior three-month period, the Office for National Statistics said Tuesday.The latest reading is above the consensus estimate of a 3.6% growth.Excluding bonuses, the growth in average weekly earnings was 3.6%, against the 3.8% earlier and the expected 3.5%.

FTSE 100

Latest New Zealand Business Confidence Reading Has No Implications for Official Cash Rate Forecast, ANZ Research Says

The New Zealand Institute of Economic Research's (NZIER) first-quarter survey of business opinion returned mixed results with no specific implications for the risks around ANZ's forecast for the country's official cash rate, the bank said in a Tuesday report.Although the survey showed a pronounced decline in business confidence, deteriorating hiring and investment intentions, and an uptick in inflation indicators, past activity held up in the quarter, and capacity indicators pointed to a marginal tightening in the output gap, ANZ said.It noted that the survey reflected business sentiment at the initial stage of the Middle East conflict, as responses were spread across March. Reported past trading activity, the best indicator for gross domestic product in the survey, was relatively more positive."That said, other indicators of Q1 activity have been weaker, and the forward-looking indicators make for grim reading, so we won't be rushing to lift our GDP forecast," ANZ said.It added that experienced employment fell in the most recent survey, while future employment intentions also slumped, suggesting that a nascent recovery in employment ground to a halt.

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