Most stock indices traded higher after strong Chinese purchase managers’ index. China’s PMI increased to 50.8 in May, beating expectations of a rise to 50.7 from 50.4 in April. That was the fastest pace in five months.

PMIs were also in focus in the Eurozone. Eurozone’s manufacturing purchase managers’ index (PMI) decreased to 52.2 in May from 52.5 in April. Analysts had expected that the index remained unchanged.

Germany’s manufacturing PMI fell to 52.3 in May from 54.1 in April. Analysts had forecasted a decline to 52.9.

France’s manufacturing PMI sank to 49.6 in May from 51.2 in April. Analysts had expected a decrease to 49.3.

German preliminary consumer price index fell 0.1% in May, after a decline of 0.2% in April. Analysts had expected a 0.1% rise.

On a yearly basis, German preliminary consumer price index rose 0.9% in May, after a 1.3% gain in April. Analysts had forecasted a 1.1% increase.

All these weak figures in the Eurozone added to expectations for further easing measures by the European Central Bank. The ECB will release its interest rates decision on Thursday.

In the U.K., the manufacturing purchase managers’ index declined to 57.0 in May from 57.3 in April. Analysts had forecasted a fall to 57.1.

Indexes on the close:

Name                                   Price                                    Change                 Change %

FTSE 100                             6,864.1                               +19.59                      +0.29%

DAX                                     9,950.12                                +6.85                      +0.07%

CAC 40                                4,515.89                                 -3.68                      -0.08%

U.S. stock-index futures were little changed as manufacturing in China expanded before a report on factory data in the world’s biggest economy.

Global markets:

Nikkei 14,935.92 +303.54 +2.07%

Hang Seng 23,081.65 +71.51 +0.31%

FTSE 6,864.79 +20.28 +0.30%

CAC 4,520.58 +1.01 +0.02%

DAX 9,964.58 +21.31 +0.21%

Crude oil $102.68 (-0.03%)

Gold $1245.80 (+0.01%)

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

Upgrades:

Alcoa (AA) upgraded from Underperform to Neutral BofA/Merrill

Downgrades:

Other:

Apple (AAPL) reiterated at Outperform at RBC Capital Mkts, target raised from $645 to $675

Stock indices increased after strong Chinese purchase managers’ index. China’s PMI increased to 50.8 in May, beating expectations of a rise to 50.7 from 50.4 in April. That was the fastest pace in five months.

Eurozone’s manufacturing purchase managers’ index (PMI) decreased to 52.2 in May from 52.5 in April. Analysts had expected that the index remained unchanged.

Germany’s manufacturing PMI fell to 52.3 in May from 54.1 in April. Analysts had forecasted a decline to 52.9.

France’s manufacturing PMI sank to 49.6 in May from 51.2 in April. Analysts had expected a decrease to 49.3.

In the U.K., the manufacturing purchase managers’ index declined to 57.0 in May from 57.3 in April. Analysts had forecasted a fall to 57.1.

Current figures:

Name                                   Price                                    Change                 Change %

FTSE 100                             6,861.61                             +17.10                      +0.25%

DAX                                     9,967.97                              +24.70                      +0.25%

CAC 40                                4,522.86                                +3.29                      +0.07%

Asian stock indices rose due to the better-than-expected manufacturing purchasing managers’ index (PMI) in China. The National Bureau of Statistics and China Federation of Logistics & Purchasing released yesterday the manufacturing purchasing managers’ index. China’s PMI increased to 50.8 in May, beating expectations of a rise to 50.7 from 50.4 in April. That was the fastest pace in five months.

Markets in China and Hong Kong were closed on Monday for a public holiday.

Indexes on the close:

Nikkei 225                       14,935.92             +303.54          +2.07%

Hang Seng                       closed

Shanghai Composite        closed

Dai-ichi Life Insurance Co. shares fell 5.0% after the company reported it want to buy Protective Life Corp. for more than 500 billion yen ($4.9 billion).

Resistance 3: $ 1.3690 ( May 22 high )

Resistance 2: $ 1.3670 ( May 27 high )

Resistance 1: $ 1.3650 ( May 30 high )

Current price: $ 1.3627

Support 1: $ 1.3620 (session low)

Support 2: $ 1.3585-00 ( May 29-30 lows )

Support 3: $ 1.3560 (Feb 12 low)

Nikkei 225 14,632.38 -49.34 -0.34%

Hang Seng 23,081.65 +71.51 +0.31%

Shanghai Composite 2,039.21 -1.38 -0.07%

S&P 500 1,923.57 +3.54 +0.18%

NASDAQ 4,242.62 -5.33 -0.13%

Dow 16,717.17 +18.43 +0.11%

FTSE 1,377.46 -1.59 -0.12%

CAC 4,519.57 -10.94 -0.24%

DAX 9,943.27 +4.37 +0.04%