Markets upbeat after SP 500 and Dow refresh records - 19.4.2021

The Dollar weakening has halted currently. The live dollar index data show the ICE US Dollar index, a measure of the dollar’s strength against a basket of six rival currencies, slipped 0.1% on Friday as the University of Michigan reported Consumer Sentiment index rose to 86.5 for April from 84.9 the previous month when an increase to 88.9 was expected.

EUR/USD reversed its sliding Friday while GBP/USD’s reversed its climbing as Eurostat reported the trade surplus in single currency area fell to 18.4 billion euro from 24.4 billion in January, when a decline to 21.9 billion was forecast. Euro is lower against the Dollar currently while Pound is higher. USD/JPY reversed its sliding Friday while AUD/USD reversed its climbing with yen higher against the Greenback currently while Australian dollar is lower.

Futures on US equity benchmarks are mixed currently after SP 500 and Dow posted their fourth consecutive weekly gains Friday. Risk on sentiment got a boost last session from strong housing data showing homebuilding rebounded sharply last month. Earnings session continues with IBM and Coca-Cola slated to report quarterly results later in the day. The three main US stock benchmarks recorded gains ranging from 0.1% to 0.5% Friday.

European stock indexes are mixed currently after ending higher on Friday led by auto shares boosted by strong earnings report from Daimler. Asian indexes are advancing today with Shanghai Composite leading gains while Nikkei index ended essentially unchanged as Japan exports rose in March as global demand grew.