Today's global markets: US equities decline and yields increase on good retail sales data

 Today's global markets: US equities decline and yields increase on good retail sales data

Today's global markets saw a decline in US equities and an increase in Treasury rates after strong economic statistics.

Strong retail sales figures and profits from Bank of America and Goldman Sachs that above expectations have given rise to optimism that the US Federal Reserve may maintain its tight monetary policies for an extended length of time.

At 33,912.78, the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 71.75 points, or 0.21%. At 4,364.34, the S&P 500 dropped 9.29 points, or 0.21%. At 13,519.13, the Nasdaq Composite was down 48.86 points, or 0.36%.

Investors were also keeping an eye on the developing humanitarian situation brought on by the fighting between Israel and Hamas.

On Wednesday, US Vice President Joe Biden will go to Israel to assist that country's campaign against Hamas.

The 10-year Treasury yield increased to 4.84% from 4.69% late on Monday.

The global stock market index MSCI increased by 0.02%.

Currencies

From 149.54 Japanese yen, the US dollar increased to 149.80 yen. The euro increased from $1.0554 to $1.0569.

Europe

On Tuesday, European markets slightly declined due to worries over dangers related to the Middle East crisis.

The blue chip index finished unchanged, while the pan-European STOXX 600 index fell 0.1%.

The FTSE 100 in Britain increased 0.6% to 7,675.21. The DAX in Germany rose 0.1% to 15,251.69. The CAC 40 in France grew 0.1% to 7,029.70.

Asia

The Hang Seng Index of Hong Kong increased 0.8% to 17,773.34 on the Asian stock exchanges. Shanghai Composite in China increased 0.3% to 3,083.50. 

The Nikkei 225 in Japan increased 1.2% to 32,040.29. 

S&P/ASX 200 index for Australia increased by 0.42%. The benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index for New Zealand increased by 0.1% to 11,199.62. 

energy costs 

On Tuesday, the US crude oil benchmark for November delivery remained at $86.66 a barrel. At $89.90 a barrel, December delivery of Brent oil gained 25 cents.

At $3.08 per 1,000 cubic feet for November delivery, natural gas prices decreased by 3 cents.

At $1,935.70 per ounce, gold bullion for December delivery increased by $1.40. The price of silver for December delivery increased by 25 cents to $23.02.