Stock indices closed higher due to the better-than-expected ZEW consumer confidence from the Eurozone. Germany's ZEW economic sentiment index increased 15.1 in November from -3.6 in October, exceeding expectations for a rise to 0.9.

Eurozone's ZEW economic sentiment index climbed to 11.0 in October from 4.1 in September, beating expectations for a gain to 4.3.

The U.K. consumer price index rose to an annual rate of 1.3% in October from 1.2% in September. Analysts had expected the consumer price inflation to remain unchanged at 1.2%.

Consumer price inflation excluding food, energy, alcohol, and tobacco remained unchanged at 1.5% in October, missing expectations for an increase to 1.6%.

The Bank of England's inflation target is about 2%.

Indexes on the close:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 100 6,709.13 +37.16 +0.56%

DAX 9,456.53 +150.18 +1.61%

CAC 40 4,262.38 +36.28 +0.86%

U.S. stock-index futures were little changed as investors considered equity valuations after the Standard & Poor's Index 500 Index extended an all-time high.

Global markets:

Nikkei 17,344.06 +370.26 +2.18%

Hang Seng 23,529.17 -267.91 -1.13%

Shanghai Composite 2,457.53 -16.48 -0.67%

FTSE 6,699.25 +27.28 +0.41%

CAC 4,253.13 +27.03 +0.64%

DAX 9,416.54 +110.19 +1.18%

Crude oil $75.44 (-0.26%)

Gold $1185.90 (+1.18%)

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

Upgrades:

Downgrades:

Other:

Apple (AAPL) target raised to $135 from $128 at

European stock indices are trading higher today for a second day after Mario Draghi's comments on Monday that the ECB is willing to add further stimulus to Eurozone's economy and sovereign-bond buying as a possible option if the economic outlook worsens. Much better-than-expected ZEW data on economic sentiment for Germany and the Eurozone further fuelled bullish sentiment.

The FTSE 100 index is currently trading +0.47% at 6,703.06 points, Germany's DAX 30 is up 1.20% trading at 9,417.81 points and France's CAC 40 gained +0.78% currently quoted at 4,258.90 points.

ZEW Survey - Economic Sentiment improved in November from -3.6 last month to +11.5 beating forecasts by 10.6 being at the highest for four months. Eurozone Economic Sentiment improved from 4.1 to 11, analysts predicted the index to climb to 4.3 easing negative sentiment over Eurozones and Germanys economic outlook. European stock markets continue to rise.

BLOOMBERG

Abe $1 Trillion Gift to Stock Market Shields Recession Gloom

Shinzo Abe has helped make investors in Japanese stocks $1 trillion richer over the last two years, and many are betting he will make them even richer.

Abe, Japan's prime minister, is moving to safeguard his political future at the same time government data show the economy unexpectedly sank into a recession last quarter. He is expected to call a snap election for next month to build support for postponing a sales tax increase by 18 months, people familiar with the situation said.

Source: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-11-17/abe-s-1-trillion-gift-to-stock-market-shields-recession-gloom.html

INVESTING.COM

Australian exports to China still face hurdles after hyped trade deal

A trade deal signed with great fanfare between China and Australia has been touted as a major step towards Australia shifting its economy from a "mining boom" to a "dining boom," but the reality is likely to be more sobering.

Australia is looking to replace its reliance on exports of minerals such as coal and iron ore as mining investment wanes and demand begins to dwindle. The government would prefer to expand its food and agricultural exports to capitalize on a rapidly growing Asian middle class.

Source: http://www.investing.com/news/commodities-news/australian-exports-to-china-still-face-hurdles-after-hyped-trade-deal-317141

REUTERS

Japan can't print people: James Saft

Japan's attempts, through Abenomics, to beat back against the tide of demographics may be proving futile.

Japan has lapsed into its fourth recession since 2008, with its economy contracting at a 1.6 percent annual clip in the third quarter, frustrating hopes that the Abenomics cocktail of fiscal and economic stimulus topped up with deregulation would be enough.

Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/11/18/markets-saft-idUSL2N0T42SJ20141118

European stocks are trading higher after Mario Draghi's comments on Moday that the ECB is willing to add further stimulus to Eurozone's economy and sovereign-bond buying as a possible option if the economic outlook worsens. Markets are closely watching ZEW institutes Economic sentiment data for Germany and Eurozone later in the day published at 10:00 GMT. The FTSE 100 index is currently trading +0.39% at 6,697.69 points, Germany's DAX 30 is up 0.70% trading at 9,371.69 points and France's CAC 40 gained +0.41% currently quoted at 4,243.50 points.

The DOW Jones and S&P 500 were trading positive in Monday's trading session. The DOW Jones closed at 17,647.75, a plus of 0.07%, the S&P500 closed little changed with a plus of +0.07% at 2,041.32 points - a record closing high. Data from the world's largest economy published yesterday showed Industrial Production (MoM) declined by -0.1% after a forecast of +0.2%, Capacity Utilization dipped to 78.9% in October with a forecast of 79.3% and the NY Fed Empire State manufacturing index declined to 10.16 below forecasts of 12.1.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng lost -1.25%, China's Shanghai Composite was down -0.67% closing at 2,457.53 points amid profit taking. Both indices lost for a second day after Monday being the first day of a new stock-exchange link between Shanghai and Hong Kong.

Japan's Nikkei closed with a plus of 2.18% at 17,344.06 points, the biggest gain in two weeks, after Monday's 3% decline caused by data published on Japan falling into recession. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is expected to announce snap elections later in the day to gain further support for his policy.

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

Nikkei 225 16,973.8 -517.03 -2.96%

Hang Seng 23,797.08 -290.30 -1.21%

Shanghai Composite 2,475.12 -3.70 -0.15%

FTSE 100 6,671.97 +17.60 +0.26%

CAC 40 4,226.1 +23.64 +0.56%

Xetra DAX 9,306.35 +53.41 +0.58%

S&P 500 2,041.32 +1.50 +0.07%

NASDAQ Composite 4,671 -17.54 -0.37%

Dow Jones 17,647.75 +13.01 +0.07%