Gold at 3-week low on stronger U.S. data, Greece optimism

Gold fell to a three-week low on Wednesday as data showed the U.S. private sector added more jobs than expected in May and prospects increased of a debt deal for Greece.U.S. private employers added 201,000 jobs, above the 165,000 in April and economists' estimate of a 200,000 gain.Spot gold was down 0.7 percent at $1,185.56 an ounce by 2:56 p.m. EDT (1856 GMT) after falling more than 1 percent to the lowest since May 11 at $1,179.43. U.S....

Euro Rises to 2-Week High as Draghi Points to Improving Economy

The euro rose to a two-week high after European Central Bank President Mario Draghi pointed to signs of improvement in the region’s economy. The 19-nation currency strengthened against most major peers as Draghi said inflation would start accelerating later this year. While he was committed to seeing through the central bank’s quantitative-easing program, the ECB president said there was no need to expand its bond-purchase program....

Asian Stock Indexes Advance Amid Optimism on Greece Debt Talks

Asian stock indexes rose after a rebound in U.S. shares as investors speculated Greece will reach a deal with its creditors. Japan’s benchmark gauge climbed as the yen declined against the dollar. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index traded little changed at 150.23 as of 9:10 a.m. in Tokyo. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index advanced 0.2 percent on Wednesday as Greek Prime Minister Alexis...

Japanese Stocks Rise as Yen Weakens Versus Euro on Greece Talks

Japanese stocks rose, heading for the first gain in three days, as signs Greece will reach a deal with its creditors saw the euro gain against the yen, boosting the outlook for earnings at exporters. The Topix index climbed 0.2 percent to 1,672.72 as of 9:01 a.m. in Tokyo, with three stocks rising for every two that fell. The Nikkei 225 Stock Average added 0.3 percent to 20,543.31. The yen traded at 124.33 per dollar and 140.02 per...

U.S. Stocks Rise Amid Greek Talks as Banks Gain

U.S. stocks advanced, after falling for the third time in four sessions, as banks and insurers rose with Treasury yields and investors speculated Greece will reach a deal with its creditors. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index added 0.2 percent to 2,114.26 at 4 p.m. in New York, and intraday came within 0.5 percent of its all-time closing high set last month. Investors are speculating...