June E-mini S&Ps (ESM15 -0.06%) this morning are up +0.08% on increased M&A activity as Kraft Foods jumped 16% in early pre-market trading on news that it will merge with H.J. Heinz. European stocks are down -0.51% on Greek default concerns after the ECB banned Greek banks from increasing holdings of short-term government debt. The ECB has rationed the Greek central bank’s access to emergency funding since last month on concern the Greek government is funding itself via domestic lenders with central bank cash. Eurozone finance officials will hold a call today to discuss progress on Greece, amid concerns that it may run out of cash by early next month. Losses in European stocks were limited after German business confidence rose for a fifth month in March to the highest in 8 months. Asian stocks closed mixed: Japan +0.17%, Hong Kong +0.53%, China -0.82%, Taiwan -0.66%, Australia +0.07%, Singapore +0.17%, South Korea -0.08%, India -0.18%. Commodity prices are mixed. May crude oil (CLK15 -0.29%) is down -0.13% and May gasoline (RBK15 +0.46%) is up +0.50%. Apr gold (GCJ15 +0.19%) is up +0.07%. May copper (HGK15 -0.59%) is down -0.62%. Agriculture prices are mixed. The dollar index (DXY00 -0.42%) is down -0.30%. EUR/USD (^EURUSD) is up +0.52%. USD/JPY (^USDJPY) is down -0.14%. Jun T-note prices (ZNM15 +0.15%) are up +3 ticks at a 1-1/2 month high after Chicago Fed President said inflation is too low to raise interest rates this year.
The German Mar IFO business climate rose +1.1 points to 107.9, stronger than expectations of +0.5 to 107.3 and the highest in 8 months. The Mar IFO current assessment rose +0.7 to 112.0, right on expectations. The Mar IFO expectations rose +1.4 points to 103.9, stronger than expectations of +0.5 to 103.0 and the highest in 9 months.
Chicago Fed President Evans said inflation remains too low to justify an interest rate increase this year, despite “terrific” progress in reducing U.S. unemployment. Evans said “he sees no compelling reason for us to be in a hurry to tighten financial conditions until” it’s clear that inflation will reach the Fed’s 2.0% target within one or two years.
