Asian shares rose on Friday, tracking U.S. stocks which jumped overnight on strong U.S. housing data and earnings, but concerns over the health of European banks weighed on investor risk appetite after Standard & Poor's downgraded Spain's rating.
Asian shares inched up Friday, tracking U.S. stocks which jumped overnight on strong U.S. housing data and earnings, but concerns over the health of European banks weighed on investor risk appetite after Standard & Poor's downgraded Spain's rating.
Economic and business sentiment in the euro zone fell in April, according to two widely followed surveys.
European Central Bank President Mario Draghi gave no indication on Wednesday that the ECB was poised to provide more support for banks or governments but also said the time was not right to consider rolling back its crisis-fighting measures.
A steep drop in European equities market dominated momentum across continents and asset classes Monday, prompting investors to unload all manner of stocks and commodities for cash.
The business confidence in Germany increased in April, indicating that the country's economy is continuing to withstand the pressures of looming debt crisis in Eurozone.
France and Spain sold all the bonds they wanted at auction on Thursday, though for Spain the cost was rising yields, indicating growing concerns the government will not be able to tame its deficit.
German bond yields hovered near record lows and the euro held steady on Thursday ahead of bond auctions by Spain and France that are key to investor confidence in Europe's ability to tackle growing economic and fiscal problems.
Asian shares moved in a narrow range Thursday after the previous day's rally as investors grew cautious ahead of a key Spanish bond sale that would test the market's risk appetite as concerns mounted over the euro zone's debt crisis.
Economic experts watching Spain don't know how much money will be needed or precisely when, but some are near certain that Madrid will eventually seek a multi-billion euro bailout for its banks, and perhaps even for the state itself.
Stock index futures pointed to a slightly lower open on Wall Street on Wednesday, with futures for the S&P 500, Dow Jones and Nasdaq 100 down between 0.1 percent and 0.2 percent at 6:47 a.m. EDT (1047 GMT).
Stabilizing risk appetite lifted Asian shares and riskier currencies Wednesday, after firm demand at Spanish debt sales, positive corporate earnings, and improved sentiment in Germany boosted investor confidence.
Japan said Tuesday it would offer $60 billion in loans to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to boost a global firewall against Europe's debt crisis.
Spain's debt yields rose above 6 percent on Monday as investors worried about its budget deficit, knocking the euro and sending safe-haven German bonds to a record last set at the height of the euro zone crisis.
Asian stock markets ended lower Monday as surge in Spain's borrowing costs renewed concern over the eurozone debt crisis.
Futures on major US stock indices point to a higher opening on Monday ahead of economic data including retail sales.
Asian stock markets declined Monday, following a slump in the US and European stocks last week on renewed eurozone concerns.
Stock index futures fell on Friday as concerns over Spain's rising borrowing costs resurfaced and after disappointing Chinese growth data, and banks fell after quarterly results.
Stock index futures fell on Friday as concerns over Spain's rising borrowing costs resurfaced and after Chinese data that had fueled the previous day's rally disappointed.
Asian stock markets gained Thursday, following a rebound on Wall Street overnight on easing eurozone worries and hopes for a better-than-expected US earnings season after solid start from Alcoa.
Stocks rose on Wednesday, bouncing back after five days of sharp losses that pushed the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq below their key technical levels.
Spanish borrowing costs Thursday hit their highest levels since before the European Central Bank launched two massive liquidity injections to keep the euro zone's financial system from freezing up.
