Dollar Climbs as Fed Officials Say April Rate Increase Possible

The dollar advanced for a second day as two Federal Reserve officials indicated that the central bank may raise interest rates as soon as next month, bolstering the appeal of assets denominated in the U.S. currency. The greenback climbed versus most of its major peers as Atlanta Fed President Dennis Lockhart and San Francisco Fed chief John Williams said recent economic data may justify additional policy tightening after raising...

Oil futures settle higher as April WTI contracts expire

Oil futures gained on Monday, recouping much of their losses from late last week as the April West Texas Intermediate crude contracts expired. April WTI crude rose 47 cents, or 1.2%, to settle at $39.91 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The May contract which is now the front-month contract, tacked on 38 cents, or 0.9%, to end at $41.52 a barrel. Source: MarketWatc...

Hong Kong shares inch up as mainland market gains continue

Hong Kong shares edged up on Monday after mainland markets were buoyed by an announcement that the state margin lender would resume some of its short-term lending business and cut borrowing costs for brokerages.The Hang Seng index rose 0.1 percent, to 20,684.15, while the China Enterprises Index gained 0.5 percent, to 8,928.65 points.Total trading volume of companies included in the HSI index was 1.6 billion share...

U.S. Stocks Close Little Changed at 2016 High Amid 5-Week Rally

U.S. stocks edged higher, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average extending its longest winning streak since October, while investors assessed a rally that turned equities positive for the year. Commodity producers slipped and banks were little changed after bolstering the rebound from the worst start to a year ever. Deal activity helped buoy shares as Valspar Corp. surged after Sherwin-Williams Co. agreed to buy the company for about...

European stocks extend last week drop driven by miners, energy

European stocks closed lower Monday, swaying between small gains and losses and tracking moves in the U.S. dollar and oil prices. The Stoxx Europe 600 finished down a narrow 0.3% at 340.82. In the commodities space, mining shares were hurt, with Sweden’s Boliden AB losing 5% and platinum producer Anglo American off 1.1%. Industrial miner ArcelorMittal SA gave up 4%. Oil prices traded higher after showing choppy action earlier, with...