Stock indices closed mixed ahead of a speech by the Fed Chairwoman Janet Yellen later in the day. Market participants will closely monitor her comments for hints of further monetary policy actions.

European Central Bank (ECB) Governing Council member Jozef Makuch said on Tuesday that the effect of negative interest rates was almost exhausted. He added that the central bank was ready to add further stimulus measures if needed.

Market participants also eyed the economic data from the Eurozone. The European Central Bank (ECB) released its M3 money supply figures on Monday. M3 money supply rose 5.0% in February from last year, in line with expectations, after a 5.0 % increase in January.

Loans to the private sector in the Eurozone climbed 1.6% in February from the last year, beating expectations for a 1.4% rise, after a 1.4% gain in January.

Total credit to euro area residents increased to 3.2% year-on-year in February from 2.6% in January.

Loans to non-financial corporations rose to 0.9% year-on-year in February from 0.6% in January.

Bank of England's (BoE) Financial Policy Committee (FPC) released the minutes from its meeting on March 23. The FPC said that the referendum on Britain's membership in the European Union (EU) was the most significant short-term domestic risk to financial stability. The committee noted that the uncertainty around the outcome of the referendum could lead to a further depreciation of the pound and to higher costs for U.K. borrowers.

Indexes on the close:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 100 6,105.9 -0.58 -0.01 %

DAX 9,887.94 +36.59 +0.37 %

CAC 40 4,366.67 +36.99 +0.85 %

Polish equity market closed higher on Tuesday. The broad market measure, the WIG Index, rose by 0.75%. Food sector (-1.90%) was sole decliner within the WIG Index, while media group (+2.10%) outpaced.

The large-cap stocks' measure, the WIG30 Index, advanced by 0.77%. In the WIG30 index, the strongest performers were media group CYFROWY POLSAT (WSE: CPS), bank BZ WBK (WSE: BZW) and videogame developer CD PROJEKT (WSE: CDR), gaining 2.75%, 2.32% and 2.08% respectively. On the other side of the ledger, thermal coal miner BOGDANKA (WSE: LWB) led the decliners with a 3.72% drop, followed by agricultural producer KERNEL (WSE: KER), plunging by 3.26%.

Major U.S. stock-indexes little changed on Tuesday, ahead of Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen's speech on monetary policy. Yellen, who is due to speak before the Economic Club of New York at 16:20 GMT, will make her first remarks since the Fed's meeting in March. The central bank has said it will depend on economic data before it makes a decision on rates, but several policymakers have voiced support for more than one increase this year. Investors will keep a close eye on Yellen's speech as they look for fresh drivers that could push stocks higher.

Dow stocks mixed (15 vs 15). Top looser - The Boeing Company (BA, -1,71%). Top gainer - Apple Inc. (AAPL, +1,51%).

S&P sectors also mixed. Top looser - Basic Materials (-1,7%). Top gainer - Consumer goods (+0,3%).

At the moment:

Dow 17392.00 -56.00 -0.32%

S&P 500 2024.00 -4.00 -0.20%

Nasdaq 100 4403.75 +14.25 +0.32%

Oil 37.94 -1.45 -3.68%

Gold 1225.80 +5.70 +0.47%

U.S. 10yr 1.86 -0.01

Bank of England's (BoE) Financial Policy Committee (FPC) released the minutes from its meeting on March 23. The FPC said that the referendum on Britain's membership in the European Union (EU) was the most significant short-term domestic risk to financial stability. The committee noted that the uncertainty around the outcome of the referendum could lead to a further depreciation of the pound and to higher costs for U.K. borrowers.

European Central Bank (ECB) Governing Council member Jozef Makuch said on Tuesday that the effect of negative interest rates was almost exhausted. He added that the central bank was ready to add further stimulus measures if needed.

The Conference Board released its consumer confidence index for the U.S. on Tuesday. The index climbed to 96.2 in March from 94.0 in February. February's figure was revised up from 92.2. Analysts had expected the index to remain unchanged at 94.0.

The present conditions index dropped to 113.5 in March from 115.0 in February.

The Conference Board's consumer expectations index for the next six months increased to 84.7 in March from 79.9 in February.

The percentage of consumers expecting more jobs in the coming months was up to 12.9% in March from 12.2% in February.

"Consumers' assessment of current conditions posted a moderate decline, while expectations regarding the short-term turned more favourable as last month's turmoil in the financial markets appears to have abated. On balance, consumers do not foresee the economy gaining any significant momentum in the near-term, nor do they see it worsening," the director of economic indicators at The Conference Board, Lynn Franco, said.

Wall Street began the trading with decline of the S&P500 index similar to that indicated by the futures contracts, -0.2 percent. The WSE takes the start of the US session without reaction. Probably by the end of the day Europe and the Warsaw Stock Exchange will look towards the US, seeking guidance on how Wall Street will set up for the evening Fed speech. The problem with the final hours of session may come from the oil market, where we see a nearly 3% decline in future contracts. This can be a very important day for the short-term situation of the raw material.

U.S. Stocks open: Dow -0.34%, Nasdaq -0.24%, S&P -0.26%

U.S. stock-index fell.

Global Stocks:

Nikkei 17,103.53 -30.84 -0.18%

Hang Seng 20,366.3 +20.69 +0.10%

Shanghai Composite 2,920.55 -37.27 -1.26%

FTSE 6,096.3 -10.18 -0.17%

CAC 4,350.12 +20.44 +0.47%

DAX 9,839.89 -11.46 -0.12%

Crude oil $38.47 (-2.34%)

Gold $1220.40 (+0.02%)

The S&P/Case-Shiller home price index increased 5.7% year-on-year in January, missing expectations for a 5.9% rise, after a 5.7% gain in December.

Portland, Seattle, and San Francisco were the largest contributors to the rise, where prices climbed by 11.8%, 10.7% and 10.5%, respectively.

"Home prices continue to climb at more than twice the rate of inflation. The low inventory of homes for sale - currently about a five month supply - means that would-be sellers seeking to trade-up are having a hard time finding a new, larger home," managing director chairman of the index committee at S&P Dow Jones Indices David Blitzer said.

On a monthly basis, the S&P/Case-Shiller home price index was flat in January.

The S&P/Case-Shiller home price index measures single-family home prices in 20 U.S. cities.

San Francisco Fed President John Williams said in Singapore on Tuesday that inflation in the U.S. would reach the Fed's 2% target over the next two years. He noted that inflation could reach 2% target sooner.

"Recent developments have been very encouraging and add to my confidence that we're on course to reach our goal," San Francisco Fed president noted.

Williams pointed out that the Fed should continue to raise its interest rate.

"My view is essentially, let's just stay on track. Let's not get side-lined by the noise and distraction commentary can sometimes cause," he said.

Williams is not a voting member of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) this year.

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

Upgrades:

Downgrades:

Other:

Amazon (AMZN) target raised to $775 from $750 at Stifel

McDonald's (MCD) target raised to $135 from $130 at Credit Suisse

Statistics Canada released its industrial product and raw materials price indexes on Tuesday. The Industrial Product Price Index (IPPI) dropped 1.1% in February, missing expectations for a 0.2% decline, after a 0.5% rise in January.

The increase was mainly driven by lower prices for energy and petroleum products, which plunged 4.1% in February.

4 of the 21 commodity groups increased, 15 declined and 2 were unchanged.

The Raw Materials Price Index (RMPI) slid 2.6% in February, after a 0.4% fall in January.

The drop was driven by lower prices for crude energy products. Crude energy products dropped by 9.4% in February.

2 of the 6 commodity groups rose and 4 decreased.

There is no trace after the morning strengthening in Euroland, as well as other asset classes see a slight shortness of breath. If we look at today's calendar, we can detect potential reasons for this caution of investors. At the 18:20 (Warsaw time) is scheduled the public appearance of Janet Yellen.

The WIG20 index ignores the revocation of the oil market and the rapid decline in the DAX index. It is worth noting that there was a change of leaders on the parquet . The financial sector and the mining companies took over the role of locomotive from KGHM, which reduced the three-percent growth to 0.97 percent.

Stock indices traded mixed ahead of a speech by the Fed Chairwoman Janet Yellen later in the day. Market participants will closely monitor her comments for hints of further monetary policy actions.

Market participants also eyed the economic data from the Eurozone. The European Central Bank (ECB) released its M3 money supply figures on Monday. M3 money supply rose 5.0% in February from last year, in line with expectations, after a 5.0 % increase in January.

Loans to the private sector in the Eurozone climbed 1.6% in February from the last year, beating expectations for a 1.4% rise, after a 1.4% gain in January.

Total credit to euro area residents increased to 3.2% year-on-year in February from 2.6% in January.

Loans to non-financial corporations rose to 0.9% year-on-year in February from 0.6% in January.

Current figures:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 100 6,096.78 -9.70 -0.16 %

DAX 9,814.43 -36.92 -0.37 %

CAC 40 4,336.46 +6.78 +0.16 %

The U.S. Commerce Department released personal spending and income figures on Monday. Personal spending climbed 0.1% in February, in line with expectations, after a 0.1% increase in January. January's figure was revised down from a 0.5% gain.

The lower spending was driven by a drop in spending on goods. Spending on goods slid 0.7% in February, while spending on services rose 0.4%.

Consumer spending makes more than two-thirds of U.S. economic activity. Consumer spending grew 2.0% in the fourth quarter, after a 3.0% increase in the third quarter.

This data suggests that American consumers remained cautious.

The saving rate increased to 5.4% in February from 5.3% in January. It was the highest level since 2012.

Personal income increased 0.2% in February, exceeding expectations for 0.1% rise, after a 0.5% gain in January.

The personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index excluding food and energy rose 0.1% in February, missing forecasts of a 0.2% increase, after a 0.3% gain in January.

On a yearly basis, the PCE price index excluding food and index remained unchanged at 1.7% in February.

The PCE index is below the Fed's 2% inflation target. The PCE index is the Fed's preferred measure of inflation.

Japan's Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications released its unemployment rate on late Monday evening. Unemployment rate in Japan rose to 3.3% in February from 3.2% in January. Analysts had expected the unemployment rate to remain unchanged at 3.2%.

The number of unemployed persons fell by 130,000 year-on-year in February to 2.13 million.

The number of employed persons rose by 290,000 year-on-year in February to 63.51 million.

According to Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), retail sales in Japan were up at an annual rate of 0.5% in February, missing expectations for a 1.7% gain, after a 0.1% fall in January.

Sales at large-scale retailers increased 2.2% year-on-year in February, after a 0.9% rise in January.

On a monthly basis, retail sales were down 2.3% in February, after a 0.4% decrease in January.

The Italian statistical office Istat released its consumer confidence index for Italy on Monday. The Italian consumer confidence index increased to 115.0 in March from 114.5 in February.

The increase was driven by economic, current and future sub-indexes, while the personal sub-index declined.

The business confidence index rose to 102.2 in March from 102.0 in February.

The rise was driven by a more favourable assessments on order books and by a rise in inventories, while production expectations remained unchanged.

News reported on Tuesday that the Japanese government was considering to add further stimulus measures. According sources, the government could spend more than 5 trillion yen ($44 billion) to stimulate the economy.

The European Central Bank (ECB) released its M3 money supply figures on Monday. M3 money supply rose 5.0% in February from last year, in line with expectations, after a 5.0 % increase in January.

Loans to the private sector in the Eurozone climbed 1.6% in February from the last year, beating expectations for a 1.4% rise, after a 1.4% gain in January.

Total credit to euro area residents increased to 3.2% year-on-year in February from 2.6% in January.

Loans to non-financial corporations rose to 0.9% year-on-year in February from 0.6% in January.

San Francisco Fed President John Williams said in an interview with CNBC on Monday that the Fed's interest rate decision will depend on the incoming economic data, adding that he was concerned about low inflation.

He also said that the Fed would not introduce negative interest rates.

Williams noted that the global financial and economic developments abroad had an impact on the U.S. economy and the Fed's monetary policy, saying the U.S. economy was doing well.

Williams is not a voting member of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) this year.

The Board of Uniwheels AG (WSE: UNW) recommended shareholders to pay a dividend of Euro 1.65 per share for 2015 (which means a dividend of 50% of the profits), the company said in the report.

According to board member and CFO Karsten Obenaus, payment of 50% of the profits is the "level of dividends, which clearly exceeds the average in the European automotive industry."

Uniwheels Group is one of the leading suppliers of aluminum wheels for passenger cars in Europe and one of the few technology leaders in the field of aluminum wheels. Manufacturing plants are located in Germany and Poland. The Group supplies wheels for the majority of the most respected car manufacturers.

The company is a component of the index sWIG80 (3.169%) and the WIG (0.262%) index.

Atlanta Fed downgraded its GDP forecasts for the U.S. GDP is expected to be 0.6% in the first quarter, down from the previous estimate of 1.4%. The downward revision was driven by yesterday's release of the personal income and spending data.

Consumer spending was lowered to 1.8% from 2.5%.

Japan's Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications released its inflation data on late Monday evening. Household spending in Japan rose 1.2% year-on-year in February, beating expectations of a 1.5% decline, after a 3.1% drop in January.

The rise was mainly driven by increases in spending on education and medical care.

Spending on education soared 17.9% year-on-year in February, while spending on medical care climbed 13.1%.

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) released its pending home sales figures for the U.S. on Monday. Pending home sales in the U.S. climbed 3.5% in February, exceeding expectations for a 1.0% gain, after a 3.0% drop in January. January's figure was revised down from a 2.5% decline.

The increase was mainly driven by a rise in the Midwest.

"After some volatility this winter, the latest data is encouraging in that a decent number of buyers signed contracts last month, lured by mortgage rates dipping to their lowest levels in nearly a year and a modest, seasonal uptick in inventory," the NAR's chief economist Lawrence Yun said.

"Looking ahead, the key for sustained momentum and more sales than last spring is a continuous stream of new listings quickly replacing what's being scooped up by a growing pool of buyers. Without adequate supply, sales will likely plateau," he added.

Futures contracts on the WIG20 index (WSE: FW20M16) started from light pluses: 1936 pts. (+0,21%).

The WIG20 index opened at 1939.41 points (+0.17%)*

WIG 47885.22 0.22%

WIG20 1939.41 0.17%

WIG30 2165.83 0.28%

mWIG40 3561.37 0.02%

*/ - change to previous close

The situation on the markets in the period of public holidays was not too variable, so for now the beginning of the session is without significant impulses both from the behavior of other market or economic data.

Wall Street returned to play on Monday. Unfortunately, yesterday's session in the US was uninspiring, same like the end of the last pre-holiday session. Enough to say that on Thursday, the S&P500 index lost 0.04 percent, and on Monday gained 0.05 percent. Thus Europe, today returned to the game after a four day break, will not find on Wall Street major inspiration. The Nikkei index lost 0.18 percent and Shanghai 0.85 percent - but the current trading of contract futures on the S&P500, which grow by 0.16 percent indicate a stabilization in sentiment.

Oil, which loses its value and is trading below the psychological barrier of $ 40 per barrel, supports bears.

Europe return today to play in the context of conflicting impulses, which will strengthen the expectation of what today Janet Yellen will say.

In this context, it is difficult to expect any big changes on the WSE, especially in the first half.

Last week the Wig20 index ended up in the region of 1,936 pts., which means technically neutral levels and in the middle shelf of the consolidation between resistance in the region of 2,000 pts. and support in the area of 1900 pts.

The only element that is conducive to serious shifts is approaching the end of the month and quarter, which provokes institutional players pull indices aim to increase the value of portfolios.

European stocks slumped for a fourth straight day, with commodity shares dropping as the U.S. dollar continued to march higher. Shares of commodity producers were stung as the dollar extended gains against its rivals, which puts pressure on dollar-denominated oil and metals prices.

U.S. stocks finished flat on Monday as gains in consumer-discretionary and materials shares were mitigated by weakness in utilities and energy.

Most stock markets in Asia fell Tuesday as investors weighed when the U.S. central bank might next raise interest rates. Investors were being cautious before U.S. Federal Reserve Chairwoman Janet Yellen was scheduled to speak Tuesday in New York on her views of the U.S. economy and monetary policy. Her comments could offer hints to when the Fed expects to raise rates, a move that Fed official James Bullard recently said could be as soon as April or June.

Based on MarketWatch materials

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

Nikkei 225 17,134.37 +131.62 +0.77 %

Shanghai Composite 2,957.84 -21.59 -0.72 %

Topix 1,381.85 +15.80 +1.16 %

S&P 500 2,037.05 +1.11 +0.05 %

NASDAQ Composite 4,766.79 -6.72 -0.14 %

Dow Jones 17,535.39 +19.66 +0.11 %