(raw materials / closing price /% change)

Oil 56.16 -0.79%

Gold 1,187.10 +0.02%

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

Nikkei 225 20,133.9 +224.81 +1.1 %

Hang Seng 27,933.85 +83.36 +0.3 %

Shanghai Composite 4,399.88 +106.26 +2.5 %

FTSE 100 7,028.24 -34.69 -0.5 %

CAC 40 5,211.09 +18.45 +0.4 %

Xetra DAX 11,867.37 -72.21 -0.6 %

S&P 500 2,107.96 +10.67 +0.5 %

NASDAQ Composite 5,035.17 +21.07 +0.4 %

Dow Jones 18,038.27 +88.68 +0.5 %

(pare/closed(GMT +3)/change, %)

EUR/JPY $1,0721 -0,15%

GBP/USD $1,5033 +0,71%

USD/CHF Chf0,9707 +1,59%

USD/JPY Y119,92 +0,20%

EUR/JPY Y128,57 +0,05%

GBP/JPY Y180,27 +0,91%

AUD/USD $0,7747 +0,44%

NZD/USD $0,7646 -0,29%

USD/CAD C$1,2245 -0,25%

(time / country / index / period / previous value / forecast)

01:30 Australia NAB Quarterly Business Confidence Quarter I 2

01:35 Japan Manufacturing PMI (Preliminary) April 50.3 50.8

01:45 China HSBC Manufacturing PMI (Preliminary) April 49.6 49.4

03:00 New Zealand Credit Card Spending March 5.8%

06:00 Switzerland Trade Balance March 2.47 2.16

07:00 France Manufacturing PMI (Preliminary) April 48.8 49.4

07:00 France Services PMI (Preliminary) April 52.4 52.5

07:30 Germany Manufacturing PMI (Preliminary) April 52.8 53.1

07:30 Germany Services PMI (Preliminary) April 55.4 55.6

08:00 Eurozone Manufacturing PMI (Preliminary) April 52.2 52.6

08:00 Eurozone Services PMI (Preliminary) April 54.2 54.5

08:30 United Kingdom Retail Sales (MoM) March 0.7% 0.4%

08:30 United Kingdom Retail Sales (YoY) March 5.7% 5.4%

08:30 United Kingdom PSNB, bln March 6.2 6.6

12:30 U.S. Continuing Jobless Claims April 2268

12:30 U.S. Initial Jobless Claims April 294 290

13:45 U.S. Manufacturing PMI (Preliminary) April 55.7 55.6

14:00 U.S. New Home Sales March 539 514

US stocks closed above zero on the background of corporate reporting and news. For example, McDonald's shares rose 3%, as the company said it is working on a plan to increase sales and profits, while Coca-Cola added about 1% after the publication of the quarterly report.

Visa has increased by more than 5%, and during the regular session beat a record $ 69.98, while MasterCard rose nearly 4% after the announcement of the Chinese leadership that the country will open its market to foreign firms to clean the inside of operations with plastic cards since June.

This week, reports unveil a total of more than 140 corporations included in the list of Standard & Poor's 500. Of the companies have already reported 79% better than expected earnings, 47% - in terms of revenue. "Reporting has so far been better than expected, so that the terrible consequences of which we were intimidated, have not yet become a reality," - said a trader Themis Trading LLC Mark Kepner.

However, sales of existing homes in the US rose to the highest level in 18 months in March, a sign that the housing market is gaining momentum after a slow start to the year. Sales of existing homes rose 6.1% last month from February to a seasonally adjusted annual rate reached 5.19 million., Said Wednesday the National Association of Realtors (NAR). Economists had expected sales to rise in March to 5.04 million. Sales for February were revised to 4.89 million. From the originally reported 4.88 million. Sales in March rose by 10.4% compared with a year earlier.

The cost of WTI oil futures declined moderately, due to the publication of the US Department of Energy data. Traders paid attention primarily on oil production data, rather than the further growth of oil in storage. It is learned that oil production in the US fell last week to 18,000 barrels per day, or 0.19 percent. It is worth emphasizing production decline recorded for the third time in the last four weeks. Meanwhile, the US Department of Energy announced that during the week April 11-17 commercial oil stocks rose 5.3 million barrels to 489 million barrels, while analysts expected an increase of 2.8 million. Barrels.

Most components of the index DOW closed in positive territory (21 of 30). Outsider shares were The Boeing Company (BA, -1.36%). Shares rose more than the rest Visa Inc. (V, + 4.18%).

Almost all sectors of the S & P index recorded an increase. Most finance sector increased (+ 0.8%). Decline recorded only the health sector (-0.1%)

At the time of closing:

Dow + 0.49% 18,038.07 +88.48

Nasdaq + 0.42% 5,035.17 +21.07

S & P + 0.51% 2,107.96 +10.67

Pound retreated from a session high against the dollar, but still continues to show a significant increase. Earlier today the pound rose sharply against the publication of the protocol the Bank of England, which was regarded as a bit of a hawk. The minutes of the April meeting was informed that all nine members of the committee voted to keep its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 0.5%. Although two members of the committee's April decision not to raise rates was "perfectly balanced". All nine members of the committee also agreed to leave unchanged the bond portfolio of the Bank of England, in the amount of 375 billion pounds (558.77 billion US dollars). Minutes showed that the leaders headed by Managing Mark Carney believed that the recent recovery of the eurozone economy would be beneficial to the UK economy, although some were concerned that any support for economic growth on the part of stronger economic dynamics in Europe can be neutralized by the weakness in the US and China. The Committee also noted that the financial woes of Greece continue to pose a risk to global economic growth. Annual inflation in the UK is at zero after the recent decline in oil prices, and in April the leaders of the Bank of England came to the conclusion that it may soon become negative. But executives expect that any period of falling prices would be temporary, although how fast the annual inflation returns to the target level of 2% will depend on the rate of growth of wages and force a pound, according to the protocols.

The Swiss franc depreciated significantly against the US dollar, reaching a minimum at the same time on April 16. Pressure had news that the SNB decided to significantly reduce the scope of an exception for holders of deposits in the framework of its scheme of negative rates. After completing the test, the Central Bank announced that the scheme would apply negative rates including pension funds. The minimum threshold, which do not apply negative rates will be 10 million. CHF. Recall SNB Commission imposes 0.75% deposits, on the balance of the Central Bank.

Previously, Frank received little support from the ZEW data and Credit Suisse, which showed that the indicator ZEW CS, which reflects the expectations of financial market experts surveyed in relation to economic development in the six months ahead, rose by 14.7 points to minus 23.2 points. The current conditions index rose by a modest survey of 0.3 points to -2.4 points. A significant majority of respondents believe that economic activity in Switzerland is in the "normal" state at the moment, which may be due to the fact that the labor market in Switzerland continues to be stable, the report said.

The euro fell against the dollar, while returning to a session low, which was associated with the anticipation of the publication of data on the US housing market and potrebdoveriyu eurozone. National Association of Realtors (NAR) reported that sales of existing US housing market increased by 6.1% last month from February to a seasonally adjusted annual rate reached 5.19 million. Economists had expected sales to rise in March to 5, 04 million. Sales for February were revised to 4.89 million. from the originally reported 4.88 million. Sales in March rose by 10.4% compared with a year earlier. The median sales price of homes in the secondary market increased by 7.8% compared with a year earlier to $ 212,100 in March, said NAR. "This increased prices by about 8% is not healthy, given that incomes grew by only 2%," says Lawrence Yun, chief economist for NAR. "The only way to relieve the pressure of housing costs is to have more houses coming on the market."

Meanwhile, preliminary data presented by the European Commission, showed that the consumer confidence index of the eurozone worsened in April, registering with the first decline in five months, contrary to the expectations of experts to further increase that was due to the uncertainty about Greece. According to the report, the April consumer confidence index fell to a level of -4.6 points compared with 3.7 points in March (the maximum value since July 2007). Economists predicted that this figure will improve to 3.0 points. Also add that the index for the European Union fell in April by 0.4 points to -2.2 points.

Major U.S. indexes ticks up on Wednesday as McDonald's turnaround plan and Visa's potential entry into China helped investors shrug off a mixed bag of results.

U.S. home resales surged to their highest level in 18 months in March as more homes came on the market. This is a sign of strength in housing ahead of the spring selling season.

Most of the Dow stocks are trading in positive area (17 of 30). Top looser - The Boeing Company (BA, -2.70%). Top gainer - Visa Inc. (V, +4.93%).

S&P index sectors are moving mixed. Top gainer - financial (+0,7%). Top looser - Industrial goods (-0.2%).

At the moment:

Dow 17910.00 +27.00 +0.15%

S&P 500 2096.25 +5.25 +0.25%

Nasdaq 100 4439.25 +10.75 +0.24%

10-year yield 1.97% +0.05

Oil 56.39 -0.22 -0.39%

Gold 1188.30 -14.80 -1.23%

The Swiss National Bank (SNB) said on Wednesday that it reduced the number of sight deposit accounts exempt from its negative interest rate. Switzerland's central has been criticised that public institutions were being shielded from the charge.

Starting from May 01, the negative rate will apply to institutions such as the pension funds of the federal government and the central bank.

According to the German newspaper Handelsblatt on Wednesday, the European Central Bank (ECB) on Tuesday raised the amount the Greek central bank can lend its banks to €75.5 billion from €74.0 billion the previous week.

The ECB declined to comment.

Stock indices closed mixed on concerns over Greek default and on mixed corporate earnings. Greece is still running out of cash, and it needs a new tranche of loans. The Greek government hopes to unlock a new tranche of loans (€7.2 billion) at the Eurogroup meeting on April 24. Some European officials expressed concerns that an agreement between Greece and its creditors will be signed this week.

The Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras will meet German Chancellor Angela Merkel at EU summit in Brussels on Thursday.

The European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker ruled out the Greek exit from the Eurozone.

Eurozone's consumer confidence index declined to -4.6 in April from -4.0 in March. Analysts had expected the index to climb to -3.0.

The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) released its April meeting minutes on Wednesday. All members voted to keep the central bank's monetary policy unchanged.

Two members of the nine MPC said that the decision not to hike interest rate in April was "finely balanced."

MPC members noted that the economy in the Eurozone grew strongly than expected.

Indexes on the close:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 100 7,028.24 -34.69 -0.5 %

DAX 11,867.37 -72.21 -0.6 %

CAC 40 5,211.09 +18.45 +0.4 %

Oil prices traded higher as the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported that the U.S. oil production declined by 0.19% or by 18,000 barrels per day last week.

U.S. crude oil inventories increased by 5.3 million barrels last week. Stocks at the Cushing, Oklahoma climbed by 789,000 barrels, the EIA noted. Energy market data provider Genscape said tanks at Cushing were nearly 80% full.

Fights in Yemen which could lead to a disruption to oil supplies support oil prices, despite Saudi Arabia saying on Tuesday it was ending air strikes against the Iran-allied Houthi rebels.

WTI crude oil for June delivery rose to $56.84 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Brent crude oil for June increased to $62.84 a barrel on ICE Futures Europe.

Gold price traded lower on a stronger U.S. dollar. The greenback rose after the better-than-expected U.S. existing homes sales data. Sales of existing homes rose 6.1% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.19 million in March from 4.89 million in February. It was the highest level since September 2013.

The weaker-than-expected economic data from the Eurozone also supported the U.S. currency. Eurozone's consumer confidence index declined to -4.6 in April from -4.0 in March. Analysts had expected the index to climb to -3.0.

Investors were cautious due to the Greek debt crisis. Greece is still running out of cash, and it needs a new tranche of loans. The Greek government hopes to unlock a new tranche of loans (€7.2 billion) at the Eurogroup meeting on April 24. Some European officials expressed concerns that an agreement between Greece and its creditors will be signed this week.

The European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker ruled out the Greek exit from the Eurozone.

June futures for gold on the COMEX today dropped to 1186.90 dollars per ounce.

The National Association of Realtors released existing homes sales figures in the U.S. on Wednesday. Sales of existing homes rose 6.1% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.19 million in March from 4.89 million in February. It was the highest level since September 2013.

February's figure was revised up from 4.88 million units.

Analysts had expected an increase to 5.04 million units.

The NAR chief economist Lawrence Yun said that sales activity picked up in March.

"The combination of low interest rates and the ongoing stability in the job market is improving buyer confidence and finally releasing some of the sizable pent-up demand that accumulated in recent years," he noted.

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) released its monthly house price index for the U.S. on Wednesday. The U.S. house price index rose 0.7% on a seasonally adjusted basis in February, in line with expectations, after a 0.3% gain in January.

On a yearly basis, the house price index climbed 5.4% in February.

These figures showed that housing demand increased.

The Canadian government Tuesday released its budget for this financial year ending on March 31, 2016. Canada's Finance Minister Joe Oliver said that the government projects a surplus of 1.4 billion Canadian dollars (US$1.15 billion) for the fiscal year.

"A balanced budget is the only way to ensure long-term prosperity for Canadians," Oliver noted.

EUR/USD: $1.0650(E375mn), $1.0700-10(E1.457bn), $1.0725-30(E223mn), $1.0740(E318mn), $1.0800(E2.926bn), $1.0820(E700mn), $1.0835(E587mn)

USD/JPY: Y119.00($526mn), Y120.65, Y121.00($1.0bn)

USD/CHF: Chf0.9800($295mn)

AUD/USD: 0.7655-60(A$225mn), $0.7800(A$687mn)

NZD/USD: $0.7500(NZ$1.0bn), $0.7800(NZ$686mn)

USD/CAD: C$1.2285($250mn), C$1.2375-80($700mn)

U.S. stock-index futures rose slightly. Investors estimate company's quartely results. Quartely results from Boeing (BA), Coca-Cola (KO) and McDonald's (MCD) are in focus today.

More than 140 companies in the S&P 500 are posting earnings this week. Of the companies that have reported so far, 79 percent beat profit projections and 47 percent topped sales estimates.

Global markets:

Nikkei 20,133.9 +224.81 +1.13%

Hang Seng 27,933.85 +83.36 +0.30%

Shanghai Composite 4,399.88 +106.26 +2.47%

FTSE 7,011.49 -51.44 -0.73%

CAC 5,197.39 +4.75 +0.09%

DAX 11,887.88 -51.70 -0.43%

Crude oil $56.48 (-0.23%)

Gold $1200.00 (-0.27%)

The Conference Board released its Leading Economic Index (LEI) for China on Wednesday. The index rose 0.2% in March, after a 1.4% increase in February. The rise was driven by increases in three of the six components.

The economist at The Conference Board Andrew Polk said that exports, consumer confidence, and real estate had a negative impact on the index.

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

According to Eurostat, government debt in the Eurozone reached 91.9% of GDP in 2014. It was the highest level since the euro was introduced in 1999. Only 4 of the Eurozone's 19 countries were below the Maastricht Treaty's 60% debt limit.

The highest ratios of government debt were recorded in Greece (177.1% of GDP), followed by Italy (132.1%), Portugal (130.2%) and Ireland (109.7%).

The lowest ratios of government debt were recorded in in Estonia (10.6%), Luxembourg (23.6%) and Latvia (40.0%).

Germany' ratio of government debt decreased to 74.7% in 2014 from 77.1% in 2013.

France's ratio of government debt rose to 95% in 2014 from 92.3% in 2013.

UK's ratio of government debt declined to 89.4% in 2014 from 87.3% in 2013.

Company reports Q1 earnings of $1.01 per share versus $1.06 consensus. Revenues fell 11.1% year/year to $5.96 bln versus $5.97 bln consensus.

Company reported about developing a turnaround plan to improve performance and deliver enduring profitable growth. Initial details of this plan will be published on May 4.

MCD rose to $97.00 (+2.25%) on the premarket.

Company reports Q1 earnings of $0.48 per share versus $0.42 consensus. Revenues rose 1.3% year/year to $10.71 bln versus $10.70 bln consensus.

KO rose to $41.75 (+2.38%) on the premarket.

Company reports Q1 earnings of $1.97 per share versus $1.81 consensus. Revenues rose 8.3% year/year to $22.15 bln versus $22.60 bln consensus.

Company reaffirms guidance for FY15: EPS of $8.20-8.40 versus $8.48 consensus, revenue of $94.5-96.5 bln versus $94.82 bln consensus.

BA fell to $150.80 (-1.65%) on the premarket.

Economic calendar (GMT0):

(Time/ Region/ Event/ Period/ Previous/ Forecast/ Actual)

00:30 Australia Leading Index March 0.3% -0.3%

01:30 Australia CPI, q/q Quarter I 0.2% 0.1% 0.2%

01:30 Australia CPI, y/y Quarter I 1.7% 1.3% 1.3%

01:30 Australia Trimmed Mean CPI q/q Quarter I 0.6% Revised From 0.7% 0.6% 0.6%

01:30 Australia Trimmed Mean CPI y/y Quarter I 2.2% 2.2% 2.3%

02:00 China Leading Index March 1.4% Revised From 1.5% 2%

08:30 United Kingdom Bank of England Minutes

The U.S. dollar traded mixed against the most major currencies ahead the U.S. existing home sales data. The existing home sales in the U.S. are expected to increase to 5.04 million units in March from 4.88 million units in February.

The euro traded lower against the U.S. dollar as concerns over Greece's debt crisis weighed on the euro. Greece is running out of cash, and it needs a new tranche of loans. The Greek government hopes to unlock a new tranche of loans at the Eurogroup meeting on April 24. Some European officials expressed concerns that an agreement between Greece and its creditors will be signed this week.

The Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras will meet German Chancellor Angela Merkel at EU summit in Brussels on Thursday.

The British pound climbed against the U.S. dollar after the Bank of England's (BoE) April meeting minutes. All MPC members voted to keep the central bank's monetary policy unchanged.

Two members of the nine MPC said that the decision not to hike interest rate in April was "finely balanced."

MPC members noted that the economy in the Eurozone grew strongly than expected.

EUR/USD: the currency pair decreased to $1.0724

GBP/USD: the currency pair climbed to $1.5078

USD/JPY: the currency pair traded mixed

The most important news that are expected (GMT0):

14:00 Eurozone Consumer Confidence (Preliminary) April -4 -3

14:00 U.S. Existing Home Sales March 4.88 5.04

14:00 U.S. Existing Home Sales, m/m March 1.2%

The Federal Reserve Bank of Boston President Eric Rosengren said in an interview with the Financial Times on Tuesday that central banks including the Fed should set higher inflation targets to avoid dealing with low economic growth.

Higher inflation rate target could mean more room to lower interest rate, Rosengren said.

The Federal Reserve Bank of Boston president expects the U.S. economy to expand slower than 2.2% in the first quarter.

Rosengren is not a voting member of the Federal Open Market Committee this year.

EUR/USD

Offers 1.0800

Bids 1.0660 1.0625/20 1.0600

GBP/USD

Offers 1.5090/100

Bids 1.5000 1.4975/70 1.4950 1.4900

EUR/JPY

Offers 130.00 129.50 129.00

Bids 128.10/00 127.55/50 127.10/00

USD/JPY

Offers 120.50 120.35/40 120.00

Bids 119.00 118.50

EUR/GBP

Offers 0.7215-25

Bids 0.7080/75

AUD/USD

Offers 0.7900 0.7850

Bids 0.7710/00 0.7650 0.7610/00

Stock indices traded lower on concerns over Greece's debt crisis. Greece is running out of cash, and it needs a new tranche of loans. The Greek government hopes to unlock a new tranche of loans at the Eurogroup meeting on April 24. Some European officials expressed concerns that an agreement between Greece and its creditors will be signed this week.

The Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras will meet German Chancellor Angela Merkel at EU summit in Brussels on Thursday.

Corporate earnings also weighed on markets.

The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) released its April meeting minutes on Wednesday. All members voted to keep the central bank's monetary policy unchanged.

Two members of the nine MPC said that the decision not to hike interest rate in April was "finely balanced."

MPC members noted that the economy in the Eurozone grew strongly than expected.

Current figures:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 100 7,025.68 -37.25 -0.53 %

DAX 11,859.45 -80.13 -0.67 %

CAC 40 5,166.98 -25.66 -0.49 %

The Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras will meet German Chancellor Angela Merkel at EU summit in Brussels on Thursday.

Greece is running out of cash, and it needs a new tranche of loans. The Greek government hopes to unlock a new tranche of loans at the Eurogroup meeting on April 24. Some European officials expressed concerns that an agreement between Greece and its creditors will be signed this week.

The head of the Eurogroup Jeroen Dijsselbloem said on Tuesday that he expects that Greece and its creditors will sign an agreement in the coming weeks.

EUR/USD: $1.0650(E375mn), $1.0700-10(E1.457bn), $1.0725-30(E223mn), $1.0740(E318mn), $1.0800(E2.926bn), $1.0820(E700mn), $1.0835(E587mn)

USD/JPY: Y119.00($526mn), Y120.65, Y121.00($1.0bn)

USD/CHF: Chf0.9800($295mn)

AUD/USD: 0.7655-60(A$225mn), $0.7800(A$687mn)

NZD/USD: $0.7500(NZ$1.0bn), $0.7800(NZ$686mn)

USD/CAD: C$1.2285($250mn), C$1.2375-80($700mn)

The European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said on Tuesday that Greece should step up efforts to sign an agreement with its creditors. He added that he is not satisfied with the course of talks.

"The intensity of talks has increased in the past four or five days but is not yet at the maturity needed to be able to reach a quick conclusion," Juncker.

The European Commission president ruled out the Greek exit from the Eurozone.

The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) released its April meeting minutes on Wednesday. All members voted to keep the central bank's monetary policy unchanged.

Two members of the nine MPC said that the decision not to hike interest rate in April was "finely balanced."

MPC members noted that the economy in the Eurozone grew strongly than expected.

The Bank of England (BoE) still expects the consumer inflation to decline into negative territory in the coming months, but inflation could recover strongly next year.

Some policymakers said that weakness in the U.S. and China offset the stronger growth in the Eurozone.

MPC members pointed out that Greece's debt problem still pose a risk to global growth.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics released its consumer inflation data on Wednesday. The consumer price inflation in Australia increased 0.2% in the first quarter, exceeding expectations for a 0.1% gain, after a 0.2% rise in fourth quarter.

On a yearly basis, Australia's consumer price inflation declined to 1.3% in the first quarter from 1.7% in the fourth quarter, in line with expectations.

The decline was driven by a drop in fuel prices. Fuel prices dropped more than 12%.

Fruit prices slid 8%.

Domestic travel and accommodation prices rose 3.5% in the first quarter, while tertiary education prices climbed 5.7%.

The trimmed mean consumer price index (CPI) (the Reserve Bank of Australia's (RBA) main indicator of inflation) gained to 0.6% in the fourth quarter, in line with expectations, after 0.6% rise in the fourth quarter. The fourth quarter's figure was revised down from a 0.7% increase.

The trimmed mean consumer price index (CPI) rose to 2.3% year-on-year in the fourth quarter from 2.2% in the fourth quarter.

However, the RBA could cut its interest rate at the May meeting despite this slightly increase in inflation. But the small rise could mean that the central bank may wait.

EUR / USD

Resistance levels (open interest**, contracts)

$1.0848 (1445)

$1.0810 (3017)

$1.0784 (222)

Price at time of writing this review: $1.0734

Support levels (open interest**, contracts):

$1.0682 (1861)

$1.0645 (2323)

$1.0594 (4820)

Comments:

- Overall open interest on the CALL options with the expiration date May, 8 is 60447 contracts, with the maximum number of contracts with strike price $1,1200 (6652);

- Overall open interest on the PUT options with the expiration date May, 8 is 73906 contracts, with the maximum number of contracts with strike price $1,0000 (9303);

- The ratio of PUT/CALL was 1.22 versus 1.24 from the previous trading day according to data from April, 21

GBP/USD

Resistance levels (open interest**, contracts)

$1.5206 (730)

$1.5109 (1578)

$1.5013 (2345)

Price at time of writing this review: $1.4933

Support levels (open interest**, contracts):

$1.4884 (1546)

$1.4788 (2335)

$1.4692 (2479)

Comments:

- Overall open interest on the CALL options with the expiration date May, 8 is 22669 contracts, with the maximum number of contracts with strike price $1,5000 (2345);

- Overall open interest on the PUT options with the expiration date May, 8 is 32163 contracts, with the maximum number of contracts with strike price $1,4400 (2784);

- The ratio of PUT/CALL was 1.42 versus 1.41 from the previous trading day according to data from April, 21

* - 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.

(Time/ Region/ Event/ Period/ Previous/ Forecast/ Actual)

00:30 Australia Leading Index March 0.3% -0.3%

01:30 Australia CPI, q/q Quarter I 0.2% 0.1% 0.2%

01:30 Australia CPI, y/y Quarter I 1.7% 1.3% 1.3%

01:30 Australia Trimmed Mean CPI q/q Quarter I 0.7% 0.6% 0.6%

01:30 Australia Trimmed Mean CPI y/y Quarter I 2.2% 2.2% 2.3%

02:00 China Leading Index March 1.4% Revised From 1.5% 2%

The Australian dollar gained ahead of consumer price data while the yen was mostly flat before trade data in early Asia on Wednesday. Australia's first quarter CPI is due and expected to show a 0.2% quarter-on-quarter rise, the same pace as the fourth quarter with the annual pace seen at a gain of 1.3%.

In Japan today, March trade data are due at 0850 Tokyo time (2350 GMT). The forecast is for a trade surplus worth ¥50.0 billion, the first surplus in 33 months.

The dollar regained some strength after a recent string of soft economic data dampened optimism on the U.S. recovery, adding to uncertainty over the timing of a rate hike.

EUR / USD: during the Asian session the pair fell to $ 1.0715

GBP / USD: during the Asian session the pair traded in the range of $ 1.4910-35

USD / JPY: during the Asian session the pair traded in the range Y119.55-75