A global equities rally gathered momentum in Asian trading and emerging-market currencies strengthened as economic data from the U.S. and Australia spurred risk-taking. Copper rose and gold fell.
Benchmark share gauges jumped more than 3 percent in China, Hong Kong and Japan, while the Stoxx Europe 600 Index climbed for a fifth day. Australia’s dollar rose for a third day and its bonds tumbled as economic growth beat estimates. Copper led gains in industrial metals, while oil fell for the first time this week after data showed U.S. stockpiles increased. Standard & Poor’s 500 Index futures were little changed, after earlier advancing as results of the so-called Super Tuesday U.S. presidential candidate contests came in.
Source: Bloomberg (2 March 2016)