Stock markets mixed

The dollar gave up some of its recent gains on Thursday, declining as traders confronted a range of catalysts from political risks to missiles in the Middle East. Stock markets were mixed, with European equities edging lower and U.S. futures nudging upward.

Ten-year Treasury yields, which have been driving up the greenback and exacting pain on emerging markets, dipped back below 3 percent to push the dollar toward its first drop in five days. The Stoxx Europe 600 Index drifted lower on what is a public holiday in various parts of the region.

Earlier in Asia, equities were broadly higher. Developing markets more broadly signaled stability, and the MSCI Emerging Market Index rallied for a fourth day.

The Stoxx Europe 600 Index dipped 0.1 percent as of 6:11 a.m. New York time, the first retreat in a week. Futures on the S&P 500 Index climbed 0.1 percent, reaching the highest in more than three weeks on its sixth consecutive advance. The MSCI All-Country World Index gained 0.1 percent to the highest in three weeks. The U.K.’s FTSE 100 Index fell 0.3 percent, the biggest fall in a week. Germany’s DAX Index jumped 0.5 percent to the highest in 14 weeks. The MSCI Emerging Market Index jumped 0.7 percent to the highest in more than a week on the biggest increase in almost two weeks. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index jumped 0.5 percent to the highest in more than a week on the largest climb in almost two weeks.

West Texas Intermediate crude increased 0.8 percent to $71.69 a barrel, the highest in more than three years. Copper surged 1.2 percent to $3.10 a pound, the highest in two weeks on the biggest jump in more than three weeks. Gold climbed 0.2 percent to $1,315.09 an ounce.

This article was compiled by BOV Asset Management Limited, a member of the BOV Group. BOV Asset Management,TG Complex, Suite 2, Level 3, Brewery Str., Mriehel BKR 3000. Email: infoassetmanagement@bov.com Internet address: www.bovassetmanagement.com. BOV Asset Management is licensed by the MFSA.