Dollar exchange rate fell substantially against the euro, after reaching the highest level since December, as the attention of many participants shifted to a two-day summit in Brussels.

We also add that from the fall of the dollar is not saved even better than expected data. Note that The Ministry of Labor will present another positive sign for the U.S. labor market, published a report showing that the number of initial claims for unemployment benefits unexpectedly fell in the week ended March 9. The report shows that for the week of March 10, the number of applications for unemployment benefits fell to 332,000, which is 10,000 less from the previous week's revised figure 342 000.Padenie surprise to economists, who had expected that the number of applications for unemployment benefits increase to 355,000 from 340,000, which was originally reported last week. The number of repeat orders decreased from 3.113 million to 3.024 million vs. 3.100 million

The yen rose against the dollar after today it dropped to the weakest level since August 2009, which was due to the fact that the lower house of parliament has approved as the next head of the Central Bank Haruhiko Kuroda, who is a proponent of increasing incentives.

The pound rose against the dollar, departing from the weakest level in seven months, helped by speculation that Qatar will invest in infrastructure projects, which immediately led to a greater demand for sterling. In addition, note that the growth rate was also associated with the fact that many market participants are awaiting publication of the annual budget for 2013, which will be on Wednesday.

The Australian dollar rose against all 16 major currencies, as the Bureau of Statistics said the number of employed rose last month to 71,500, compared to an increase of 13,100 people in the previous month. We add that according to the average forecast of economists should have been an increase of 10,000 people.

European stocks advanced to a 4 1/2-year high as the region’s policy makers gathered for a two- day summit in Brussels, and as a report showed U.S. jobless claims unexpectedly fell.

The Stoxx Europe 600 Index (SXXP) gained 1.1 percent to 298.51 at 4:30 p.m. in London, the highest level since June 2008.

In the U.S., applications for jobless benefits dropped 10,000 to 332,000 in the week ended March 9 from a revised 342,000 the previous week, Labor Department figures showed today. Economists forecast 350,000 claims, according to the median estimates.

National benchmark indexes climbed in 15 of the 18 western European markets.

FTSE 100 6,529.41 +47.91 +0.74% CAC 40 3,871.58 +35.54 +0.93% DAX 8,058.37 +87.46 +1.10%

Generali (G) rose 9.4 percent to 13.33 euros. The insurer said fourth-quarter operating profit increased 12 percent from a year earlier to 928 million euros ($1.2 billion), boosted by the non- life insurance business.

HeidelbergCement advanced 2.9 percent to 56.16 euros, the highest price since October 2008. The German cement maker said debt declined more than expected last year as improved earnings covered dividends and repayments. Borrowings fell 700 million euros to 7 billion euros, while analysts had predicted 7.4 billion euros.

Booker Group Plc, Britain’s biggest food wholesaler, jumped 8 percent to 125.3 pence, the highest price in seven years, after the U.K. Competition Commission provisionally approved its acquisition of Makro Holding Ltd.

OC Oerlikon Corp. (OERL) fell 2 percent to 12.40 Swiss francs, paring an earlier loss of as much as 4.4 percent. The world’s largest maker of textile machinery will appoint a new chief executive officer to replace Michael Buscher, who led the company through a reorganization since joining in 2010. Chief Financial Officer Juerg Fedier will act as interim CEO, the Pfaeffikon, Switzerland-based company said, without giving any reason for the switch.

The cost of oil rose today, while rising above $ 109 a barrel, recovering after four days of losses. Economists also note that growth prospects muted demand and concerns about weakening limited rise in oil prices.

We add today the Ministry of Labour will present another positive sign for the U.S. labor market, published a report showing that the number of initial applications for the first time for unemployment benefits unexpectedly fell in the week ended March 9.

The report shows that for the week of March 10, the number of applications for unemployment benefits fell to 332,000, which is 10,000 less from the previous week's revised figure 342 000.Padenie surprise to economists, who had expected that the number of applications for unemployment benefits increase to 355,000 from 340,000, which was originally reported last week. The number of repeat orders decreased from 3.113 million to 3.024 million vs. 3.100 million

We also add that the pressure exerted on the oil comments central bank to stabilize inflation expectations, which raised concern that he may refuse to stimulate economic growth, before recovering attains full speed.

Further, the current data showed that during the week on March 8, reserves of natural gas in the U.S. fell by 145 billion cubic meters. feet, according to an EIA. A week earlier the index noted a decline of 146 billion cubic meters. feet.

April futures price of U.S. light crude oil WTI (Light Sweet Crude Oil) rose to 92.69 dollars a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

April futures price for North Sea petroleum mix of mark Brent rose $ 1.33 to $ 109.77 a barrel on the London Stock Exchange ICE Futures Europe.

Gold futures prices fell today, helped by earlier strengthening of the dollar, as well as signs that the global economy, led by the recent positive data from the U.S. is on the road to recovery, but despite this, the precious metal was not able to entrenched in these positions, and rose sharply to levels approaching opening day.

Recall that yesterday, the precious metal rose to a two-week high at $ 1,599.10, but was never able to break through the key resistance level at $ 1600, due to pressure from the dollar.

We add that the U.S. dollar rose to its highest level in seven months against a basket of currencies, helped by positive data on retail sales, which increased hopes that the economy can cope with higher taxes and spending cuts this year.

Reflecting the uncertainty in the gold market, the largest reserves of gold exchange-traded fund SPDR Gold Trust remained almost unchanged on Tuesday.

Note that an important event that may affect the market sentiment could be tomorrow's inflation data, which are likely to shed light on the direction of monetary policy, and help to better assess the prospects for the U.S..

April futures price of gold on the COMEX declined and now stands at 1585.30 dollars per ounce.

The U.S. current account deficit contracted slightly in the three final months of 2012 because a larger income surplus helped offset an expanding trade gap.

The broad measure of U.S. international transactions registered a shortfall of $110.42 billion during in the fourth quarter of 2012, or 2.8% of gross domestic product, the Commerce Department said Thursday. The figure is down a bit from the upwardly revised $112.45 billion gap in the prior period.

Economists surveyed by Dow Jones Newswires had forecast a deficit of $112.6 billion. The deficit figure measures mostly trade in goods and services but also includes transfer payments and investment income.

The deficit on goods and services increased to $128.4 billion in the fourth quarter from $124.8 billion in the third quarter in part because imports rose. The U.S. also shipped fewer goods, but did increase exports of services during the quarter. Prior data, however, showed that the trade gap narrowed in December.

Meanwhile, the Commerce report showed that the U.S. surplus on income increased to $52.4 billion in the fourth quarter from $46.6 billion the prior period.

Unilateral current transfers, items such as foreign aid from the U.S. to other countries and U.S. immigrants remittances to families abroad, increased slightly to $34.4 billion last quarter. Unilateral transfers contribute to the current account deficit.

Despite the smaller gap, carrying a hefty current account deficit requires the U.S. to attract large amounts of financing from abroad, including from China, or the dollar will lose its value.

Private foreign purchases of U.S. Treasurys exceeded sales by $26.0 billion in the fourth quarter, the Commerce Department report said. China remains the largest foreign holder of U.S. government debt, separate Treasury data showed.

EUR/USD $1.2925, $1.2950, $1.2995, $1.3000, $1.3030, $1.3050, $1.3080, $1.3110, $1.3150

USD/JPY Y94.50, Y95.00, Y95.25, Y95.50, Y96.00, Y96.25, Y96.50

GBP/USD $1.4925, $1.5000

EUR/GBP stg0.8675, stg0.8755

USD/CHF Chf0.9450, Chf0.9500, Chf0.9550

EUR/CHF Chf1.2300, Chf1.2315, Chf1.2350

AUD/USD $1.0200, $1.0300, $1.0310, $1.0350, $1.0400

NZD/USD $0.8215

AUD/JPY Y99.00

Canada's monthly new house prices rose 0.1% in January, and the main contributors were again the combined Toronto and Oshawa region as well as Calgary, Statistics Canada said Thursday.

The pace slowed from 0.2% in December and matched the consensus call in a report from Royal Bank of Canada. Year-on-year prices slowed to 2.2% from 2.3%.

The statistical agency said builders cited market conditions as the primary reason for higher prices in the Toronto and Oshawa region, and increased material and labor costs in Calgary.

Prices in Winnipeg were up 0.9%, the largest monthly gain since September 2011 due to higher costs for developed land. Meanwhile, prices shrank 0.2% in the Ottawa-Gatineau region-- the first decline since May 2011-- as builders offered larger bonus packages to generate interest and boost sales.

With energy prices showing a substantial increase in the month of February, the Labor Department released a report on Thursday showing that U.S. producer prices rose by slightly more than anticipated during the month.

The Labor Department said its producer price index rose by 0.7 percent in February after edging up by 0.2 percent in January. Economists had expected producer prices to increase by 0.6 percent.

Excluding the jump in energy prices as well as a drop in foods prices, the core producer price index inched up by 0.2 percent in February, matching the increase seen in the previous month and economist estimates.

Upgrades:
Apple (AAPL) upgraded to Buy from Neutral at BTIG
Coca-Cola (KO) upgraded to Outperform from Underperform at Credit Agricole

In the latest positive sign for the U.S. labor market, the Labor Department released a report on Thursday showing that first-time claims for unemployment benefits unexpectedly decreased in the week ended March 9th.

The report showed that initial jobless claims fell to 332,000, a decrease of 10,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 342,000. The drop came as a surprise to economists, who had expected jobless claims to rise to 350,000 from the 340,000 originally reported for the previous week.

08:30 Switzerland SNB Interest Rate Decision March 0.25% 0.25% 0.25%

08:30 Switzerland SNB Monetary Policy Assessment March

09:00 Eurozone ECB Monthly Report March

09:00 Eurozone EU Economic Summit March

10:00 Eurozone Employment Change Quarter IV -0.1% -0.1% -0.3%

The yen weakened for a second day against the dollar after the lower house of parliament endorsed Haruhiko Kuroda, an advocate of increased stimulus, as the next central bank governor. Japan’s currency fell versus 13 of its 16 major peers as Kuroda’s approval cleared the first hurdle in Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s plan to install a central bank leadership in favor of more easing.

Australia’s dollar climbed to a one-month high after a report showed payrolls rose the most in almost 13 years, spurring traders to reduce bets on interest-rate cuts. Australia’s dollar rose against all 16 of its major counterparts as the statistics bureau said the number of people employed rose by 71,500 in February from the previous month, when it increased 13,100. That compared with a 10,000 increase estimated by economists.

The Dollar Index rose for a third day before U.S. data today and tomorrow forecast to show the economy is gaining momentum. The Dollar Index rose to the highest since August before reports this week that economists said will show U.S. producer prices accelerated in February and manufacturing in the New York region expanded this month. The Dollar Index, which IntercontinentalExchange Inc. uses to track the greenback against currencies of six U.S. trading partners, gained 0.2 percent to 83.04 after rising to 83.078, the highest level since Aug. 3.

EUR / USD: during the European session the pair fell to $ 1.2912

GBP / USD: during the European session, the pair has stabilized in the range of $ 1.4914 - $ 1.4956

At 12:30 GMT in Canada will price index in the primary market in January and the capacity utilization rate for the 4th quarter. Also during this time, the U.S. will release the producer price index and producer price index excluding prices for food and energy in February, and a report on the current account balance of the balance of payments for the 4th quarter. At 21:30 GMT New Zealand introduced an index of business activity in the manufacturing sector from Business NZ in February.

EUR/USD

Offers $1.3030/350, $1.2995/100, $1.2980/85

Bids $1.2920, $1.2900, $1.2880/60, $1.2850

GBP/USD

Offers $1.5050/60, $1.5000/10, $1.4980/85

Bids $1.4890, $1.4830/20, $1.4800, $1.4790, $1.4760/50

AUD/USD

Offers $1.0415/20, $1.0400, $1.0380/85

Bids $1.0320, $1.0310/00, $1.0250

EUR/GBP

Offers stg0.8800, stg0.8715/25, stg0.8695/700

Bids stg0.8650/45

EUR/JPY

Offers Y126.45/50, Y126.10, Y125.90/00, Y125.50, Y125.00

Bids Y124.10/00, Y123.50, Y123.10/00

USD/JPY

Offers Y97.25, Y97.00, Y96.45/50

Bids 96.10/00, Y95.70/65, Y95.50, Y95.20

European stocks advanced to a 4 1/2-year high as the region’s policy makers begin a two-day summit in Brussels. U.S. index futures rose while Asian shares were little changed.

European leaders start a two-day Brussels summit today, with euro-area finance ministers meeting separately tomorrow to discuss a bailout for Cyprus. Policy makers are loosening austerity measures as the recession and mounting unemployment in southern Europe overtake the debt crisis as the region’s biggest headache.

HeidelbergCement rose 2.4 percent to 55.88 euros after the German cement maker said debt declined more than expected last year as improved earnings covered dividends and repayments. Borrowings declined 700 million euros ($907 million) to 7 billion euros, the company said today. Analysts had predicted 7.4 billion euros, on average.

Boskalis Westminster gained 2.7 percent to 34.25 euros. The company reported 2012 net income of 250 million euros, beating analysts’ estimates of 242 million euros. Revenue rose 11 percent to 3.1 billion euros.

Home Retail Group Plc surged 16 percent to 153.6 pence. The U.K. retailer raised its full-year profit estimate as sales beat expectations at Homebase home-improvement stores and the Argos catalog chain in the last two months of the fiscal year.

FTSE 100 6,495.19 +13.69 +0.21%

CAC 40 3,855.33 +19.29 +0.50%

DAX 8,015.83 +44.92 +0.56%

The number of people holding down jobs in the euro zone fell to its lowest level in nearly seven years in the final three months of 2012, official figures showed Thursday, a stark illustration of the economic and social price of the bloc's fiscal crisis.

Employment in the 17 countries that use the euro fell 0.3% in the fourth quarter from the third, to 145.7 million in seasonally adjusted terms, the European Union's statistics agency Eurostat said.

That is the lowest number since the first quarter of 2006.

Euro-zone employment peaked at 150.4 million in the first quarter of 2008, Eurostat said, a few months before the financial crisis reached its worst point with the collapse of U.S. investment bank Lehman Brothers.

The fourth-quarter figures compare with an employment total of 146.8 million in the corresponding period of 2011, meaning more than a million people in the currency bloc have lost their job in the past year.

Rising numbers of jobless people have raised the pressure on euro-zone leaders seeking to cut borrowing levels in a bid to end the fiscal crisis. Elections in Italy, the third-largest euro-zone economy, last month showed growing support for anti-austerity parties.

Eurostat's figures showed employment fell sharply in the highly indebted countries most deeply affected by the crisis. The number of people with jobs fell 2% quarter-on-quarter in Portugal, 1.4% in Spain, 1.3% in Cyprus, and 0.4% in Italy. Figures for Greece and Ireland, other countries badly weakened by the crisis, weren't available.

By contrast, employment rose 0.1% in Germany, 0.6% in Luxembourg and 0.2% in Austria.

EUR/USD $1.2925, $1.2950, $1.2995, $1.3080, $1.3110, $1.3150

USD/JPY Y94.50, Y95.00, Y95.25, Y95.50, Y96.00, Y96.25, Y96.50

GBP/USD $1.4925, $1.5000

EUR/GBP stg0.8675, stg0.8755

USD/CHF Chf0.9450, Chf0.9500

EUR/CHF Chf1.2300, Chf1.2315, Chf1.2350

AUD/USD $1.0200, $1.0300, $1.0310

NZD/USD $0.8215

AUD/JPY Y99.00

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Asian stocks outside Japan declined, led by material producers and developers, on concern policy makers in China will step up efforts to cool the property market and as Hong Kong banks raised mortgage rates.

Nikkei 225 12,381.19 +141.53 +1.16%

Hang Seng 22,619.18 +62.53 +0.28%

S&P/ASX 200 5,032.22 -60.18 -1.18%

Shanghai Composite 2,270.28 +6.31 +0.28%

BHP Billiton Ltd., the world’s biggest mining company, slid 2.3 percent in Sydney as metal futures fell.

Country Garden Holdings Co., the Chinese developer controlled by billionaire Yang Huiyan, declined 3.7 percent.

The dollar rose, reaching a three-month high against the euro after a report showed that retail sales in the U.S. in February increased considerably, registering with the largest increase in the past five months, and improve the prospects for the world's largest economy. Commerce Department data showed that retail sales and the sale of food in February rose by 1.1% and adjusted for seasonal variations were 421.40 billion. Sales growth has been observed for the fourth month in a row, and this is their biggest increase since September. Economists had expected sales growth of 0.5%. The January figure was revised upwards from 0.1% to 0.2%. Compared with the same period last year, sales increased by 4.6%. The jump in prices for the most part was secured higher prices for gasoline and an increase in car sales. Sales growth at gas stations was 5.0%, compared with a gain of 0.7% in the previous month.

The single currency weakened as Italian borrowing costs increased. Note that the Italian Treasury held the first auction after the downgrade, during which the country has sold bonds worth 6,993 billion against a target value 7.25 billion. Bonds with a term expiration in 2015 in the amount of 3.323 billion have been sold at yield 2.48% vs. prev. 2.30% paper expiring in 2017 in the amount of 1.028 billion euros - at yield 2.95% vs. prev. 2.55% bonds expiring in 2018 in the amount of 642 million euros - at 3.03% yield, finally, a paper with a term expiration in 2018 of $ 2 billion - with yield 4.9%.

Japan's currency has increased compared to the majority of its most traded currencies, after the country's largest opposition party said it would vote against a potential deputy head of the Bank of Japan Kiku Iwata, which stands for acceleration easing.

Swiss franc fell against the euro, as many market participants are waiting for the meeting of the National Bank of Switzerland on the issue of monetary policy, which could be considered measures that could help stop the deflation and stimulate economic growth.

The New Zealand dollar fell against the dollar on speculation of a drought in the country will have a negative impact on the economy. The impact of the currency is the fact that many traders are waiting for the announcement of interest rate decisions of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand.

The pound rose against the euro amid what many analysts have noted that the decline of 6.5% per cent this year was excessive, which increases the possibility that the government will delay the fiscal austerity measures in the budget next week.

Asian stocks fell for a second day amid concern shares rose too fast in a three-week rally that drove the regional benchmark index to a 19-month high. Chinese developers declined.

Nikkei 225 12,239.66 -75.15 -0.61%

Hang Seng 22,556.65 -333.95 -1.46%

S&P/ASX 200 5,092.4 -25.47 -0.50%

Shanghai Composite 2,263.97 -22.64 -0.99%

China Overseas Land & Investment Ltd., the biggest builder traded in Hong Kong, sank 2.7 percent after a report the southern city of Shenzhen banned developers from raising new home prices.

Canon Inc., the world’s largest camera maker, slipped 2.8 percent as the yen strengthened, cutting the overseas earnings outlook for Japan’s exporters.

National Australia Bank Ltd. lost 1.9 percent as the country’s largest lender by assets announced cost cuts after full-year profit fell for the first time since 2009.

Most European stocks declined as earnings reports from Inditex SA to Enel (ENEL) SpA offset an increase in U.S. retail sales by the most in five months.

The Stoxx Europe 600 Index (SXXP) slipped less than 0.1 percent to 295.32, as four shares retreated for every three that advanced.

A report from the European Union’s statistics office earlier today showed industrial production in the euro area fell 0.4 percent in January, adding to signs that the region’s recession extended into the first quarter. The median economist forecast was for a 0.1 percent decline.

National benchmark indexes declined in 10 of the 18 markets in western Europe.

FTSE 100 6,481.5 -29.12 -0.45% CAC 40 3,836.04 -3.93 -0.10% DAX 7,970.91 +4.79 +0.06%

Inditex (ITX) dropped 2.6 percent to 105.65 euros in Madrid. The retailer reported a 12 percent decline in net income to 705 million euros in the three months through January. The average of analyst forecasts called for 716 million euros.

Enel fell 6 percent to 2.61 euros, the lowest price since August. The utility reported 2012 net income to 865 million euros and said earnings won’t recover until 2017 as taxes and weakening power demand in its biggest markets crimp growth.

Commerzbank AG tumbled 9.7 percent to 1.26 euros, the sharpest decrease in 15 months, after Germany’s second-biggest lender announced a 2.5 billion euros ($3.3 billion) share sale to repay investments by a German government fund and Allianz SE.

ASM International NV lost 10 percent to 27.85 euros, the biggest drop since November 2008. The maker of semiconductor equipment announced plans to sell a stake of as much as 12 percent in ASM Pacific Technology Ltd. in an effort to increase the value of its combined businesses.

Prudential advanced 9.3 percent to 1,125 pence, its highest price since January 2000, after the biggest U.K. insurer by market value raised its 2012 dividend 16 percent to 29.19 pence a share. The company reported a 25 percent increase in operating profit to 2.53 billion pounds in 2012, beating the average analyst estimate of 2.32 billion pounds.

Indexes started the session in a small minus, but managed to complete trades slightly above zero.

U.S. stocks fluctuated between gains and losses, after an eight-day rally drove the Dow Jones Industrial Average to record highs, amid data that showed retail sales increased in February by the most in five months.

With consumers shrugging off the impact of higher payroll taxes, the Commerce Department released a report on Wednesday showing that U.S. retail sales increased by much more than expected in the month of February.

The Commerce Department said retail sales surged up by 1.1 percent in February after edging up by an upwardly revised 0.2 percent in January.

Economist had been expecting sales to increase by about 0.5 percent compared to the 0.1 percent growth originally reported for the previous month.

The stronger than expected retail sales growth was partly due to a rebound in sales by motor vehicle and parts dealers, which jumped by 1.1 percent in February after dipping by 0.3 percent in January.

Excluding the increase in auto sales, retail sales still rose by 1.0 percent in February compared to a 0.4 percent increase in January.

Gas stations sales also showed a substantial increase, surging up by 5.0 percent in February amid higher prices for gasoline. The jump came on the heels of a 0.7 percent increase in the previous month.

While higher auto and gas sales played a big part in the bigger than expected increase in retail sales, sales still rose by 0.4 percent when excluding both auto and gas sales, exceeding economist estimates.

Import prices in the U.S. rose by much more than expected in the month of February, according to a report released by the Labor Department on Wednesday, with the price growth largely due to a jump in fuel import prices.

The Labor Department said import prices rose by 1.1 percent in February following a 0.6 percent increase in January. Economists had been expecting import prices to increase by 0.6 percent.

The bigger than expected increase in import prices in February was largely due to a 4.9 percent jump in prices for fuel imports, which came on the heels of a 2.6 percent increase in January.

Excluding the increase in prices for fuel imports, import prices came in unchanged in February compared to a 0.2 percent increase in the previous month.

The report also showed that export prices rose by 0.8 percent in February after edging up by 0.3 percent in the previous month. Export prices had been expected to inch up by 0.2 percent.

Business inventories in the U.S. increased by much more than economists had expected in the month of January, the Commerce Department revealed in a report on Wednesday, although the report also showed a drop in business sales.

The report showed that business inventories rose by 1.0 percent in January following a revised 0.3 percent increase in December.

Economists had expected inventories to increase by 0.5 percent compared to the 0.1 percent growth originally reported for the previous month.

The bigger than expected increase was partly due to notably higher inventories at retailers and merchant wholesalers, which jumped by 1.5 percent and 1.2 percent, respectively. Inventories at manufacturers also rose by 0.5 percent.

Components of DOW index closed mixed. Shares of International Business Machines Corp. (IBM, +0.78%) advanced more than other components. Shares of Merck & Co. Inc. (MRK, -1.12%) fell more than other components

Most sectors of the S&P closed in plus. Most growts showed services sector (+0.4%). Most fell showed basic materials sector (-0.8%).

At the close:

Dow +5.07 14,455.13 +0.04%

Nasdaq +2.8 3,245.12 +0.09%

00:00 Australia Consumer Inflation Expectation March +2.2% 2.3%

00:05 New Zealand RBNZ Governor Graeme Wheeler Speaks March

00:30 Australia Unemployment rate February 5.4% 5,5% 5.4%

00:30 Australia Changing the number of employed February 13.1 9.5 71.5

04:30 Japan Industrial Production (MoM) (Finally) January +1.0% +1.0% 0.3%

04:30 Japan Industrial Production (YoY) (Finally) January -5.1% -5.8%

Japan’s currency rose against the dollar and euro after Koichi Hamada told ruling-party lawmakers today that targeting exchange rates could lead to a currency war. Hamada, a retired Yale University professor, said 4 to 5 percent inflation is a concern if the policies of BOJ governor nomineeKuroda work too well, according to an interview published in the Tokyo Shimbun yesterday. He told ruling-party lawmakers today that currency competition through floating exchange rates is best.

The lower house of Japan’s parliament endorsed Kuroda’s nomination for the top central bank spot and that of Kikuo Iwata and Hiroshi Nakaso for deputy posts. The upper house is scheduled to vote tomorrow. Kuroda has advocated greater injections of cash to boost growth and halt more than a decade of price declines.

Australia’s dollar climbed versus all of its major counterparts after data showed the nation’s employment rose by the most in almost 13 years. The number of people employed gained 71,500 in February, the statistics bureau said in Sydney today, exceeding the 10,000 increase estimated by economists.

EUR / USD: during the Asian session the pair was trading around $ 1.3060.

GBP / USD: during the Asian session, the pair rose to $ 1.4955.

USD / JPY: during the Asian session the pair fell to Y95.65.

A light UK calendar today, influence to come from outside sources. Early in Europe, although late in Sydney, RBA Asst Governor Kent Speaks at 0700GMT. At

Change % Change Last

Oil $92.38 -0.14 -0.15%

Gold $1,588.10 -0.30 -0.02%

Change % Change Last

Nikkei 225 12,239.66 -75.15 -0.61%

Hang Seng 22,556.65 -333.95 -1.46%

S&P/ASX 200 5,092.4 -25.47 -0.50%

Shanghai Composite 2,263.97 -22.64 -0.99%

CAC 40 3,836.04 -3.93 -0.10%

DAX 7,970.91 +4.79 +0.06%

Dow +5.07 14,455.13 +0.04%

Nasdaq +2.8 3,245.12 +0.09%

S&P +2.02 1,554.50 +0.13%

(pare/closed(00:00 GMT +02:00)/change, %)

EUR/USD $1,2959 -0,52%

GBP/USD $1,4919 +0,15%

USD/CHF Chf0,9524 +0,56%

USD/JPY Y96,06 +0,08%

EUR/JPY Y124,50 -0,43%

GBP/JPY Y143,32 +0,24%

AUD/USD $1,0297 -0,22%

NZD/USD $0,8187 -0,84%

00:00 Australia Consumer Inflation Expectation March +2.2% 2,3%

00:05 New Zealand RBNZ Governor Graeme Wheeler Speaks March

00:30 Australia Unemployment rate February 5.4% 5,5% 5,4%

00:30 Australia Changing the number of employed February 13.1 9.5 71.5

04:30 Japan Industrial Production (MoM) (Finally) January +1.0% +1.0% 0,3%

04:30 Japan Industrial Production (YoY) (Finally) January -5.1%

08:30 Switzerland SNB Interest Rate Decision March 0.25% 0.25%

08:30 Switzerland SNB Monetary Policy Assessment March

09:00 Eurozone ECB Monthly Report March

09:00 Eurozone EU Economic Summit March

10:00 Eurozone Employment Change Quarter IV -0.2% -0.1%

12:30 Canada New Housing Price Index January +0.2% +0.3%

12:30 U.S. PPI, m/m February +0.2% +0.6%

12:30 U.S. PPI, y/y February +1.4% +1.7%

12:30 U.S. PPI excluding food and energy, m/m February +0.2% +0.2%

12:30 U.S. PPI excluding food and energy, Y/Y February +1.8% +1.7%

12:30 U.S. Initial Jobless Claims March 340 355

12:30 U.S. Current cccount, bln Quarter IV -107.5 -111.0

13:00 U.S. FOMC Member Raskin Speaks March