Japan's Nikkei 225 Stock Average, Topix Climb; Toyota and Canon Lead Gain

(Bloomberg) -- Japan's Nikkei 225 Stock Average rose 133.99, or 0.8 percent, to 17,586.61 at 9:03 a.m. in Tokyo. The broader Topix index added 10.76, or 0.6 percent, to 1720.83.

Toyota Motor Corp. and Canon Inc. led the advances.


Read more at Bloomberg Stocks News

Dollar May Fall to More Than Two-Year Low Against Euro on Tighter Rate Gap

(Bloomberg) -- The dollar may fall to the lowest in over two years against the euro on concerns the U.S. interest rate advantage over Europe will decline.

The dollar has fallen more than 10 percent versus the euro over the past year as the spread between U.S. and European three- month rates reached its tightest gap in almost two years. Signs of as U.S. slowdown have fueled bets the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates as the European Central Bank raises borrowing costs.


Read more at Bloomberg Currencies News

BHP, Origin, Westfield, Woodside Petroleum: Australian Equity Preview

(Bloomberg) -- The following is a list of companies whose shares may rise or fall in Australia. This preview includes news announced after markets closed on April 20. Prices are from April 20's close unless otherwise stated. Stock symbols are in brackets after the company names.

The S&P/ASX 200 Index futures contract due in June added 50 points, or 0.8 percent, to 6278 at 8:37 a.m. in Sydney. The Bank of New York Australia ADR Index rose 1.6 percent in New York.


Read more at Bloomberg Stocks News

Australia Dollar Little Changed Near 17-Year High on Metal Prices, Yields

(Bloomberg) -- The Australian dollar traded near a 17-year high as the price of raw materials the nation exports rose and investors were drawn to the country's higher returning assets.

The local dollar is the second-biggest gainer this year after New Zealand's among the 16 most-traded currencies, as Australia's 1 percentage point interest rate advantage over the U.S. and 5.75 point spread with Japan lures investors. A measure of six metals on the London Metal exchange advanced 1.5 percent to a near-record close April 20. About 14 percent of Australia's economic growth comes from commodity exports.


Read more at Bloomberg Currencies News

U.S. Congress may act to keep guns from mentally ill

(Reuters) - "Given the horror that happened at Virginia Tech, I think there's a real chance of passing this," said Sen. Charles Schumer, a New York Democrat, told "Fox News Sunday."

A Republican leadership aide agreed, telling Reuters, "If there is a consensus, and it is in lieu of knee-jerk draconian measures, probably really good."


Read more at Reuters.com Bonds News

Bank of Israel Reduces Key Interest Rate a Quarter-Point to 3.75 Percent

(Bloomberg) -- The Bank of Israel lowered its benchmark lending rate by a quarter-point and signaled further cuts as five earlier reductions failed to spark a depreciation of the shekel and boost inflation to the government's target range.

The rate the central bank charges commercial lenders was lowered to 3.75 percent as of April 26, the Jerusalem-based bank said in a statement. Ten out of 11 economists surveyed by Bloomberg last week had forecast the 25-basis point reduction, with the one saying the rate would remain unchanged.


Read more at Bloomberg Emerging Markets News

U.S. Congress set to defy Bush on Iraq war

(Reuters) - Bush has promised to veto any bill setting dates for removing U.S. combat soldiers from the Iraq war, now in its fifth year.

But when a Democratic-controlled panel of Senate and House of Representatives members meets on Monday to iron out differences between their respective bills, the product is expected to contain 2008 withdrawal dates.


Read more at Reuters.com Bonds News