(raw materials / closing price /% change)

Oil 48.44 +0.14%

Gold 1,251.40 -0.33%

(index / closing price / change items /% change)

Nikkei +217.28 19202.87 +1.14%

TOPIX +20.44 1544.83 +1.34%

Hang Seng +152.17 24345.87 +0.63%

CSI 300 -8.23 3469.81 -0.24%

Euro Stoxx 50 +27.93 3465.07 +0.81%

FTSE 100 +49.92 7343.42 +0.68%

DAX +153.35 12149.42 +1.28%

CAC 40 +28.77 5046.20 +0.57%

DJIA +150.52 20701.50 +0.73%

S&P 500 +16.98 2358.57 +0.73%

NASDAQ +34.77 5875.14 +0.60%

S&P/TSX +92.35 15598.57 +0.60%

(pare/closed(GMT +2)/change, %)

EUR/USD $1,0812 -0,47%

GBP/USD $1,2456 -0,81%

USD/CHF Chf0,992 +0,66%

USD/JPY Y111,06 +0,39%

EUR/JPY Y120,09 -0,07%

GBP/JPY Y138,33 -0,42%

AUD/USD $0,7633 +0,26%

NZD/USD $0,7014 -0,40%

USD/CAD C$1,3379 -0,01%

06:00 Switzerland UBS Consumption Indicator February 1.43

06:45 France Consumer confidence March 100 100

08:30 United Kingdom Consumer credit, mln February 1416 1300

08:30 United Kingdom Mortgage Approvals February 69.93 69.9

08:30 United Kingdom Net Lending to Individuals, bln February 4.8 4.9

12:00 United Kingdom Article 50 Brexit Process Starts

13:20 U.S. FOMC Member Charles Evans Speaks

14:00 U.S. Pending Home Sales (MoM) February -2.8% 2.4%

14:30 U.S. Crude Oil Inventories March 4.954

15:30 U.S. FOMC Member Rosengren Speaks

16:15 Eurozone ECB's Peter Praet Speaks

17:15 U.S. FOMC Member Williams Speaks

The main US stock indices increased significantly on Tuesday, which was supported by strong statistics on the US and positive corporate news.

As it became known today, the index of consumer confidence from the Conference Board, which grew in February, sharply improved in March. The index is now 125.6 compared to 116.1 in February. The index of the current situation increased from 134.4 to 143.1, and the index of expectations rose from 103.9 to 113.8. "Consumer confidence rose sharply in March, reaching its highest level since December 2000," said Lynn Franco, director of economic performance at the Conference Board.

In addition, an early look at the US trade patterns in February indicates an almost 6 percent reduction in the country's trade deficit, which was replaced by a significant increase in the previous month. The trade deficit in goods (services excluded) declined to $ 64.8 billion from $ 68.8 billion in January.

At the same time, home prices in the US soared to the highest level in almost three years, as demand remains high. The S & P / Case-Shiller index for 20 megacities rose by 5.7% per annum for a three-month period to January, noting an acceleration from 5.5% per annum in December. The index for 20 megacities rose by 0.2% per month, or by 0.9%, taking into account seasonal correction.

Almost all components of the DOW index have grown (27 out of 30). Leader of growth were shares of Apple Inc. (AAPL, + 2.04%). The shares of Johnson & Johnson declined the most (JNJ, -0.20%).

Almost all sectors of the S & P index recorded an increase. The leader of growth was the sector of industrial goods (+ 1.1%). Only the utilities sector fell (-0.1%).

At closing:

DJIA + 0.73% 20.701.78 +150.80

Nasdaq + 0.60% 5.875.14 +34.77

S & P + 0.73% 2,358.59 +17.00

Major U.S. stock-indexes in positive area on Tuesday as financial stocks rose on the back of strong consumer data, offsetting losses in the healthcare sector. U.S. consumers' confidence in the economy rose in March to its highest level since December 2000, a survey by the Conference Board showed on Tuesday, led by optimism for finding work and a brighter assessment of business conditions.

Most of Dow stocks in positive area (22 of 30). Top loser - Johnson & Johnson (JNJ, -0.44%). Top gainer - JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPM, +1.54%).

Most of S&P sectors also in positive area. Top loser - Healthcare (-0.1%). Top gainer - Basic Materials (+1.1%).

At the moment:

Dow 20596.00 +99.00 +0.48%

S&P 500 2351.25 +12.75 +0.55%

Nasdaq 100 5398.75 +19.75 +0.37%

Oil 48.63 +0.90 +1.89%

Gold 1253.60 -2.10 -0.17%

U.S. 10yr 2.39 +0.02

• Crucial that some of the benefits of openness are deployed to those who need help adjusting to global forces

• Canada's history shows that openness and economic progress go hand in hand

• Canada should continue pushing for open markets, both at home and abroad

• Automation has meant workers in some industries have borne cost of change, we can expect that to continue

Manufacturers in the Fifth District were generally upbeat in March, according to the latest survey by the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond. The index for shipments and new orders both rose and employment gains were more common. This improvement led to a composite index for manufacturing that rose from 17 in February to 22 in March-the strongest reading for that index since April 2010. In addition to improvement in the employment index, more firms reported longer workweeks and wage increases appeared to be more widespread.

The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index, which had increased in February, improved sharply in March. The Index now stands at 125.6 (1985=100), up from 116.1 in February. The Present Situation Index rose from 134.4 to 143.1 and the Expectations Index increased from 103.9 last month to 113.8.

"Consumer confidence increased sharply in March to its highest level since December 2000 (Index, 128.6)," said Lynn Franco, Director of Economic Indicators at The Conference Board. "Consumers' assessment of current business and labor market conditions improved considerably. Consumers' also expressed much greater optimism regarding the short-term outlook for business, jobs and personal income prospects. Thus, consumers feel current economic conditions have improved over the recent period, and their renewed optimism suggests the possibility of some upside to the prospects for economic growth in the coming months."

EURUSD: 1.0730 (EUR 340m) 1.0750 (285m) 1.0770 (295) 1.0830 (420m) 1.0900 (200m) 1.0955 (175m)

USDJPY: 109.00 (USD 200m) 111.00 (235m) 111.50 (345m) 111.80 (385m) 112.00 (305m)

EURGBP 0.8750 (EUR 205m)

USDCAD 1.3300 (USD 305m) 1.3535-45 (455m)

U.S. stock-index futures fell slightly, as anxiety over Donald Trump's setback on healthcare reform mitigated and they focused on his promise of tax reforms.

Global Stocks:

Nikkei 19,202.87 +217.28 +1.14%

Hang Seng 24,345.87 +152.17 +0.63%

Shanghai 3,252.99 -13.96 -0.43%

FTSE 7,296.03 +2.53 +0.03%

CAC 5,013.55 -3.88 -0.08%

DAX 12,055.68 +59.61 +0.50%

Crude $48.28 (+1.15%)

Gold $1,257.30 (+0.13%)

The S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price NSA Index, covering all nine U.S. census divisions, reported a 5.9% annual gain in January, up from 5.7% last month and setting a 31-month high. The 10-City Composite posted a 5.1% annual increase, up from 4.8% the previous month. The 20-City Composite reported a year-over-year gain of 5.7%, up from 5.5% in December.

Seattle, Portland, and Denver reported the highest year-over-year gains among the 20 cities over each of the last 12 months. In January, Seattle led the way with an 11.3% year-over-year price increase, followed by Portland with 9.7%, and Denver with a 9.2% increase. Twelve cities reported greater price increases in the year ending January 2017 versus the year ending December 2016.

(company / ticker / price / change ($/%) / volume)

Upgrades:

Downgrades:

Other:

Amazon (AMZN) target raised to $1025 from $912 at Stifel

Wholesale inventories for February, adjusted for seasonal variations but not for price changes, were estimated at an end-of-month level of $594.1 billion, up 0.4 percent (±0.2 percent) from January 2017, and were up 3.2 percent (±0.7 percent) from February 2016. The December 2016 to January 2017 percentage change was revised from down 0.3 percent (±0.2 percent) to down 0.2 percent (±0.2 percent).

The international trade deficit was $64.8 billion in February, down $4.1 billion from $68.8 billion in January. Exports of goods for February were $126.8 billion, $0.1 billion less than January exports. Imports of goods for February were $191.6 billion, $4.2 billion less than January imports.

• If inflation development sustainable at least in mid-term, we will be able to say there is need to change policy

EUR/USD

Offers: 1.0875-80 1.0900 1.0930 1.0950 1.1000

Bids: 1.0850 1.0835 1.0820 1.0800 1.0780 1.0765 1.0750 1.0700

GBP/USD

Offers: 1.2585 1.2600 1.2630 1.2650 1.2575 1.2700

Bids: 1.2550 1.2530 1.2500 1.2480-85 1.2465 1.2450 1.2425-30 1.2400

EUR/JPY

Offers: 120.30 120.50 120.85 121.00 121.50

Bids: 119.80 119.50 119.30 119.00 118.80 118.65 118.50

EUR/GBP

Offers: 0.8655 0.8685 0.8700 0.8725-30 0.8750 0.8780-85 0.8800

Bids: 0.8600 0.8580-85 0.8550 0.8530 0.8500

USD/JPY

Offers: 110.80-85 111.00 111.20 111.50-55 111.65 1 11.80 112.00

Bids: 110.50 110.20 110.00 109.85 109.65 109.50 109.30 109.00

AUD/USD

Offers: 0.7620 0.7635 0.7650 0.7665 0.7680-85 0.77000

Bids: 0.7580 0.7565 0.7550 0.7500 0.7485 0.7450

Bobby Vedral, the global head of Goldman Sachs' MarketStrats group has warned investors that ruling out a Le Pen victory would be a mistake in the upcoming French election.

The first round of the election will be held on April 23rd and then the top two candidates would fight it out in the second round on May 7th. In an email to customers, told investors that the political correctness leads people to lie in polls like the world has seen during the US election.

He warned that the market is too complacent ahead of the French election as the majority of the polls indicate Le Pen defeat. However, several polls have indicated that a large portion of French voters remains undecided ahead of Europe's most crucial election. Mr. Verdal has written, "while the base case is that she wont win".

• It is important that banks recover after shock of 2014-15

• In general in banking system there aren't systemic risks

• Unscrupulous banks harm competition

• We haven't finished cleanup of market

• Bank of Russia is making special efforts on cyber security

• Lion's share of banking profit should be directed to capital

EUR/USD: 1.0730 (EUR 340m) 1.0750 (285m) 1.0770 (295) 1.0830 (420m) 1.0900 (200m) 1.0955 (175m)

USD/JPY: 109.00 (USD 200m) 111.00 (235m) 111.50 (345m) 111.80 (385m) 112.00 (305m)

EUR/GBP 0.8750 (EUR 205m)

USDCAD 1.3300 (USD 305m) 1.3535-45 (455m)

• Brexit will significantly hurt business for German companies

• We should expect further declines in trade in coming months

EUR/USD

Resistance levels (open interest**, contracts)

$1.0989 (734)

$1.0969 (970)

$1.0927 (111)

Price at time of writing this review: $1.0856

Support levels (open interest**, contracts):

$1.0774 (703)

$1.0750 (259)

$1.0724 (514)

Comments:

- Overall open interest on the CALL options with the expiration date June, 9 is 42476 contracts, with the maximum number of contracts with strike price $1,1450 (3935);

- Overall open interest on the PUT options with the expiration date June, 9 is 48035 contracts, with the maximum number of contracts with strike price $1,0350 (3879);

- The ratio of PUT/CALL was 1.13 versus 1.14 from the previous trading day according to data from March, 27

GBP/USD

Resistance levels (open interest**, contracts)

$1.2811 (1108)

$1.2715 (845)

$1.2620 (325)

Price at time of writing this review: $1.2548

Support levels (open interest**, contracts):

$1.2484 (565)

$1.2387 (567)

$1.2290 (252)

Comments:

- Overall open interest on the CALL options with the expiration date June, 9 is 15496 contracts, with the maximum number of contracts with strike price $1,2900 (1261);

- Overall open interest on the PUT options with the expiration date June, 9 is 17379 contracts, with the maximum number of contracts with strike price $1,1500 (3055);

- The ratio of PUT/CALL was 1.12 versus 1.15 from the previous trading day according to data from March, 27

* - The Chicago Mercantile Exchange bulletin (CME) is used for the calculation.

** - Open interest takes into account the total number of option contracts that are open at the moment.

• Fed might tailor its balance sheet strategy to each type of security

• Does not see systemic risk from stock market valuations

• Regularly reviewing Fed's framework would be a healthy thing

Germany's public debt declined in the fourth quarter, Destatis showed, cited by rttnews.

The debt owed by the overall public budget to the non-public sector totaled EUR 2,006.5 billion at the end of the fourth quarter.

Based on provisional results, debt declined by 0.8 percent, or EUR 16.1 billion from the end of 2015. A reduction in debt was reported for all individual levels.

Compared with the previous quarter, debt decreased by 1.2 percent, or EUR 24.9 billion. The non-public sector comprises credit institutions and the remaining domestic sector and non-domestic sector.

European stocks finished in the red Monday, alongside a slide for global equities, as investors continued to worry the Trump administration will not be able to push through its reforms.

U.S. stocks overcame steep losses Monday but the Dow industrials and S&P 500 still closed lower as investors reassessed the prospects for President Donald Trump's ambitious economic agenda after a Republican plan to repeal and replace Obamacare was scrapped last week.

Stock markets recovered early Tuesday, with higher oil prices and a rebound in the U.S. dollar against the yen driving gains in Australia and Japan. Investors were also looking beyond the failure of the Trump administration to replace the Affordable Care Act, aided by improving macroeconomic data out of the U.S. and Europe.