Analytics, News, and Forecasts for CFD Markets: stock news — 07-06-2012.

The dollar was within 0.2 percent of a one-week low against the euro on bets Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke today may signal more stimulus is needed to spur a recovery in the world’s largest economy. Bernanke will testify to U.S. lawmakers in Washington today. He said in April the Fed may provide more easing should unemployment fail to make “sufficient progress towards its longer-run normal level.” The policy-setting Federal Open Market Committee meets June 19-20 to consider whether to add to its record easing after the economy created the fewest jobs in a year in May. Two regional Fed bank presidents who vote on policy this year, San Francisco’s John Williams and Atlanta’s Dennis Lockhart, said yesterday the central bank should be prepared to take action if the economy deteriorates further.

The yen declined versus most of its 16 major counterparts as Asian stocks extended a global rally, damping demand for lower-yielding currencies.

The euro remained higher after its biggest gain in three months against the yen yesterday amid speculation the European Central Bank will act to rein in the region’s debt crisis after leaving its benchmark interest rate at a record low.  The ECB’s decision to leave its key rate at 1 percent yesterday was predicted by 49 of 60 economists surveyed by Bloomberg News. Ten forecast a quarter-point reduction, and one a half-point cut. “We monitor all developments closely and we stand ready to act,” ECB President Mario Draghi told reporters in Frankfurt following the decision. Downside risks to the economic outlook have increased and “a few” of the ECB’s Governing Council members called for a rate cut at the meeting, he said.

The so-called Aussie strengthened against 15 of its 16 major peers after the country’s statistics office reported payrolls increased by 38,900 after a revised 7,000 gain in April. That compared with the median estimate for no change in employment in a Bloomberg survey.

EUR/USD: during the Asian session the pair receded from a yesterday's high.

GBP/USD: during the Asian session the pair decreased after yesterday's growth.

USD/JPY: during the Asian session the pair rose, updated a week’s high.

A full morning for the UK, which includes the Bank of England's policy decision UK data starts at 0700GMT, witt the release of the Halifax Houspe Price data. At 0830GMT, the May Markit/CIPS service sector index is released. At 1100GMT, the BOE Monthly Policy Decision is due.  The European data calendar kicks off at 1130GMT, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, British Prime Minister David Cameron, Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg, attend a public discussion with students, in Berlin. There is no confirmation yet as to whether or not there will be a press conference.

European stocks surged the most in six months after the European Central Bank held its benchmark interest rate at a record low and said it’s ready to act if necessary as the growth outlook dims.

ECB President Mario Draghi said officials are ready to add more stimulus to the euro region’s economy if necessary, while damping expectations that another round of three-year funding for banks is imminent.

National benchmark indexes climbed in all 17 western European markets that were open. Germany’s DAX rose 2.1 percent, while the U.K.’s FTSE 100 gained 2.4 percent in its first day of trading this week after a two-day holiday for the royal jubilee. France’s CAC 40 also rallied 2.4 percent.

A measure of mining companies climbed the most of the industry groups on the Stoxx 600 after copper rose in London. Copper miners Kazakhmys Plc and Vedanta Resources Plc advanced 7.4 percent to 714.5 pence, and 9.1 percent to 963.5 pence, respectively.

Lloyds Banking Group Plc rose 5.2 percent to 27.05 pence after agreeing to sell 809 million pounds of Australian corporate real estate loans to a Morgan Stanley and Blackstone Group LP joint venture for about 388 million pounds in cash.

Royal Ahold NV paced declining shares, falling 4.2 percent to 9.18 euros after the owner of Stop & Shop grocery stores reported first-quarter earnings that missed estimates.

U.S. stocks rallied, giving benchmark indexes their biggest gains in 2012, on speculation global policy makers will take steps to stimulate economic growth.

Equities rallied today as European Central Bank President Mario Draghi said officials stand ready to act as the euro region’s outlook worsens. Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta PresidentDennis Lockhart said extending Operation Twist, the program to lengthen maturities of debt on the U.S. central bank’s balance sheet, is an “option on the table.”

The U.S. economy maintained a moderate pace of growth, according to the Fed’s Beige Book survey of business conditions. The policy-setting Federal Open Market Committee meets June 19-20 to consider whether more stimulus is needed.

All 10 groups in the S&P 500 rose today as energy, financial and industrial shares had the biggest gains. Bank of America (ВАС) increased 7.6 percent, the most in the Dow, to $7.64. Caterpillar (САТ), the largest maker of construction equipment, added 3.6 percent to $86.66.

Home Depot (HD) rose 3.4 percent to $50.60. The timing of its share repurchases will not have a material impact on the diluted earnings per share in that period, the retailer said.

Chesapeake Energy Corp. jumped 7.1 percent, the most since Aug. 11, to $18.21. The company is in advanced talks to sell pipelines to Global Infrastructure Partners for more than $4 billion, said two people with knowledge of the matter.

Iron Mountain Inc. surged 14 percent, the biggest gain in the S&P 500, to $32.32. The document-storage company approved a plan to convert to a real-estate investment trust and increased its quarterly dividend by 8 percent.

CAC 40 2,986.1 +31.61 +1.07%

DAX 5,969.4 -8.83 -0.15%

Dow 12,128 +26 +0.22%

Nasdaq 2,778 +18 +0.66%

S&P 500 1,286 +7 +0.57%