The European Central Bank (ECB) said on Tuesday that it purchased almost 61 billion euros of government bonds and other assets in March. The central bank beat its target in the first month of a quantitative easing programme. The ECB started to buy government bonds on March 09.

The ECB purchased 52.555 billion euros of government bonds since March 09: 11.1 billion euros of German government bonds, 8.75 billion euros of French government bonds and 7.6 billion euros of Italian government bonds.

The ECB said that it settled 64.670 billion euros in total covered bond purchases as of April 03, and 4.888 billion euros in purchases of asset-backed securities (ABS).

The European Central Bank (ECB) Executive Board Member Yves Mersch said in an interview on Tuesday that the central bank could adjust its quantitative easing programme if inflation target will be achieved faster than expected.

He noted that the exchange rate should not be used to lift Eurozone's competitiveness because it would breach European Union law.

The Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta President Dennis Lockhart said in an interview Monday on Monday that he prefers the Fed will start to raise its interest rate in July or September. He added that the Fed will have more data, and that the first quarter was "anomalous again".

The Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta president expects a rebound in the second quarter.

Lockhart is a voting member of the Federal Open Market Committee this year.

The Minneapolis Fed President Narayana Kocherlakota said on Tuesday that the Fed should delay its interest rate hike until the second half of 2016. He added that the Fed should hike interest rate gradually to 2% by the end of 2017.

Kocherlakota noted that "the ongoing conversation about tightening monetary policy" may be a risk to the U.S. economy.

The Minneapolis Fed president believes that it is better not raise interest rate this year as employment grows slowly and inflation is still low.

He expects that the U.S. economy would need at least three more years of labour market improvement, and inflation will not increase back to the Fed's 2% target until 2018.

Stock indices closed higher on the better-than-expected confidence index from the Eurozone. The Sentix investor confidence index for the Eurozone rose to 20.0 in April from 18.6 in March, missing expectations for an increase to 20.9.That was the highest level since August 2007.

Eurozone' final services purchasing managers' index (PMI) fell to 54.2 in March from a preliminary reading of 54.3. Analysts had expected the final index to remain unchanged at 54.3.

Germany's final services PMI rose to 55.4 in March from a preliminary reading of 55.3. Analysts had expected the final index to remain unchanged at 55.3.

France's final services PMI declined to 52.4 in March from a preliminary reading of 52.8. Analysts had expected the final index to remain unchanged at 52.8.

Eurozone's producer price index climbed 0.5% in February, exceeding expectations for a 0.1% increase, after a 1.1% decline in January. January's figure was revised down from 0.9% drop.

Concerns over Greece's debt problems continue to weigh on markets. Greece have to repay the International Monetary Fund (IMF) tranche of 448 million euros on April 09. Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis has said that Greece will make a payment to the IMF on time.

Markit's and the Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply's services purchasing managers' index (PMI) for the U.K. increased to 58.9 in March from 56.7 in February, beating expectations for a rise to 57.1.

The rise was driven by an increase in new business.

Indexes on the close:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 100 6,961.77 +128.31 +1.88 %

DAX 12,123.52 +156.13 +1.30 %

CAC 40 5,151.19 +77.05 +1.52 %

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics released its Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) report on Tuesday. Job openings climbed to 5.133 million in February from 4.965 million in January. It was the highest level since January 2001.

January's figure was revised down from 4.998 million.

Analysts had expected job openings to rise to 4.978 million.

The number of job openings rose for total private (4.649 million), while decreased for government (484,000) in February.

The hires rate was 3.5% in February.

Total separations declined to 4.650 million in February from 4.834 million in January.

The JOLTS report is one of the Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen's favourite labour market indicators.

Market research group Sentix released its investor confidence index for the Eurozone on Tuesday. The index rose to 20.0 in April from 18.6 in March, missing expectations for an increase to 20.9.

That was the highest level since August 2007.

A reading above 0.0 indicates optimism, below indicates pessimism.

The index benefited from a weaker euro and quantitative easing by the European Central Bank.

The current conditions index climbed to 9 in April from 6.5 in March. It was the highest level since July 2011.

The expectations index remained unchanged at 31.5 in April, its highest level since February 2006.

German investor confidence index dropped to 31.4 in April from 39.5 in March. It was the biggest decline since August 2014.

Global markets:

Nikkei 19,640.54 +242.56 +1.25%

Hang Seng 25,275.64 +192.89 +0.77%

Shanghai Composite 3,960.98 +97.05 +2.51%

FTSE 6,935.03 +101.57 +1.49%

CAC 5,154.42 +80.28 +1.58%

DAX 12,108.84 +141.45 +1.18%

Crude oil $51.46 (-1.27%)

Gold $1209.70 (-0.73%)

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

Upgrades:

JPMorgan Chase (JPM) upgraded to Outperform from Mkt Perform at Bernstein

Downgrades:

American Express (AXP) downgraded to Underperform from Perform at Oppenheimer, target $68

Other:

The Swiss National Bank's foreign exchange reserves increased to 522.323 billion Swiss francs in March from 509.245 billion francs in February.

February's figure was revised down from 509.250 billion francs.

The increase was likely driven by a decline in the Swiss franc. The rise could also reflect the intervention by the central bank.

The SNB declined to comment if it may have intervened.

The Federal Reserve Bank of New York President William C. Dudley said on Monday that the U.S. economy will grow faster as a slowdown in the first quarter was partly caused by the bad weather.

He noted that a stronger U.S. dollar is "another significant shock" to the U.S. economy, making U.S. exports more expensive.

The Federal Reserve Bank of New York president pointed out that falling oil drilling and exploration is a risk to the economy.

Dudley is a voting member of the Federal Open Market Committee.

European stocks mostly extend early gains as data boosts sentiment although Greece remains in the focus. Over the weekend Greek finance minister Yanis Varoufakis said that Greece will meet all obligations to all its creditors, seeking to calm default fears. A lower euro lend further support to European stocks. After Friday's weaker-than-expected U.S. jobs data and dovish comments by FED member Lockhart a U.S. rate hike in the middle of the year seems less probable.

The final Services PMI for the Eurozone rose less than expected with a reading of 54.2 points compared to forecasts of 54.3 points but still higher than the previous reading of 53.7 points. Data on German Services PMI for March came in higher than expected at 55.4 compared to forecasts of 55.3. The French Services PMI was reported at 52.4, below the estimated 52.8.vand below the February reading of 53.4.

Sentix Investor Confidence in the Eurozone rose to a seasonally adjusted 20.0 for April, higher than the previous reading of 18.6 but below the estimated increase to 20.9.

U.K.'s Purchasing Manager Index for March rose from 56.7 to 58.9, beating estimates for an increase to 57.1.

Eurozone's Producer Prices for February rose from a previous reading of -0.9% in January to +0.5% in February, more than the expected increase to +0.1%.

The FTSE 100 index is currently trading +1.38% quoted at 6,927.70. Germany's DAX 30 added +0.93% trading at 12,078.92. France's CAC 40 is currently trading at 5,139.77 points, +1.29%.

European stocks skyrocket at the opening after being closed for Easter-holidays on Monday and ahead of Services PMI data the Eurozone, U.K.'s Purchasing Manger Index and Eurozone's PPI. European stocks follow gains in Asia and the U.S.

Data on German Services PMI for March came in higher than expected at 55.4 compared to forecasts of 55.3. The French Services PMI was reported at 52.4, below the estimated 52.8.

The commodity heavy FTSE 100 index is currently trading +1.20% quoted at 6,917.52 points fuelled by sharp gains in energy and mining stocks. Germany's DAX 30 is trading at 12,096.09 points +1.10%. France's CAC 40 is currently trading at 5,129.83 points, +1.10%.

U.S. stocks rose on Monday as the energy, technology and utilities sector led shares higher. The S&P 500 closed +0.66% with a final quote of 2,080.62 points. The DOW JONES index added gains and rose by +0.66%, closing at 17,880.85 points. Markets were supported by the fact that the FED seems to consider economic factors before hiking the benchmark interest rates. Recent weak U.S data was seen as an indication that the FED will no rush.

Chinese stocks resume their rally amid speculations on further economic stimulus by the PBoC. The economic slowdown in China, the world's second largest economy, is already seen bottoming and China has lots of options left in order to spur the economy. Hong Kong's Hang Seng is closed +0.77% at 25,275.64 points. China's Shanghai Composite rose to 3,938.55 points closing+1.93%.

The Nikkei rose to two-week highs on Monday. The index rose +1.25% to 19,640.54 points. Japanese stocks were supported by gains in the U.S. and the prospect of the FED waiting longer before raising interest rates.

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

Nikkei 225 19,397.98 -37.10 -0.19 %

Topix 1,560.71 -3.45 -0.22 %

S&P 500 2,080.62 +13.66 +0.66 %

NASDAQ Composite 4,917.32 +30.38 +0.62 %

Dow Jones 17,880.85 +117.61 +0.66 %