At Monday’s close, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (US30) was up 0.69%, while the S&P 500 Index (US500) added 1.20%. The NASDAQ Technology Index (US100) closed positive 1.59% on Tuesday. The US stock indices closed moderately higher, with the Dow Jones Industrials Index rising to a one-week high. Better-than-expected first-quarter earnings results supported stocks. Stock indices continued to rise after a weaker-than-expected report on the S&P US manufacturing PMI for April, which led to lower bond yields.Tesla’s (TSLA) first-quarter net income fell by 55%, but its share price rose in aftermarket trading Tuesday as the company said it would accelerate production of new, more affordable vehicles. The small models will include the Model 2, which is expected to cost about $25,000 and will use the basis of next-generation cars and some features of current models.Equity markets in Europe mostly went up yesterday. Germany’s DAX (DE40) rose by 1.55%, France’s CAC 40 (FR40) closed up 0.81%, Spain’s IBEX 35 (ES35) jumped by 1.70%, and the UK’s FTSE 100 (UK100) closed positive 0.26%.The S&P Eurozone Manufacturing PMI for April unexpectedly declined 0.5 to 45.6, weaker than expectations of a rise to 46.5. However, the composite PMI for April rose by 1.1 to 51.4, exceeding expectations of 50.7 and showing the fastest growth rate in 11 months. ECB Vice President de Guindos said yesterday that if the situation develops in the same direction as in recent weeks, the ECB will ease the restrictive monetary policy regime in June. For his part, ECB Governing Council representative and Bundesbank President Nagel added that if the favorable inflation outlook from March is confirmed in the June forecast and incoming data support it, the ECB may consider lowering interest rates. Thus, most ECB representatives agree to a rate cut at the June 6 meeting. The probability of such a scenario is 86%.WTI crude futures are holding above $83 per barrel after rising nearly 2% on Tuesday, helped by data showing an unexpected decline in US crude inventories last week, indicating steady demand. Latest data from the American Petroleum Institute showed that US crude inventories fell by 3.23 million barrels last week, reversing a 4.09 million barrel increase the previous week and defying market expectations for a 1.8 million barrel rise in inventories. The demand outlook was also boosted by cooling US business activity data, which supports the need for an interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve.Asian markets were predominantly up yesterday. Japan’s Nikkei 225 (JP225) rose by 0.30%, China’s FTSE China A50 (CHA50) was down 0.02% for the day, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng (HK50) was up 1.92% and Australia’s ASX 200 (AU200) was positive 0.45%.The Australian dollar rose to $0.65, hitting its highest level in nearly two weeks, as stronger-than-expected domestic inflation data bolstered expectations that the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) will not cut interest rates anytime soon. The country’s Consumer Price Index fell to 3.6% in the first quarter from 4.1% in the previous quarter, slowing for the fifth consecutive quarter but above forecasts of 3.4%. Australia’s monthly consumer price index accelerated to 3.5% in March from 3.4% in February.Hong Kong’s annual inflation rate eased to 2% in March from 2.1% in February. All sectors participated in the rally, including the technology sector, which climbed more than 2% after Nvidia recovered from a recent drop. Xiaomi Corp. shares rose by 2% on signs that an active electric car business could support the company’s earnings in the coming years.In Asia, investors are eagerly awaiting the start of the Beijing Auto Show on Thursday, which could lift automakers’ share prices. At the event, BYD Co. will unveil its new all-electric Ocean-M car, which is expected to be a benchmark for future models.S&P 500 (US500) 5,070.55 +59.95 (+1.20%)Dow Jones (US30) 38,503.69 +263.71 (+0.69%)DAX (DE40) 18,137.65 +276.85 (+1.55%)FTSE 100 (UK100) 8,044.81 +20.94 (+0.26%)USD Index 105.69 −0.39 (−0.36%)Important events today:

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