- US equities trade with small losses amid another bunch of stronger corporate earnings. In Europe, losses are close to 1%. Mounting unrest in eastern Ukraine spoils risk sentiment.
- Ukrainian forces killed up to five pro-Moscow separatists in the east of the country, the Interior Minister said today, which was followed by stark warnings of Putin who said that there would be consequences for Ukraine’s interim government as it launched a military crackdown on armed pro-Russian rebels. Russia’s Defence Minister said this afternoon they will hold military exercises near the border with Ukraine.
- ECB President Draghi said today that the ECB could embark on a broad-based asset buying plan if the outlook for euro zone inflation worsens and added that the exchange rate is an increasingly important factor in their assessment of the outlook for price stability.
- US initial jobless claims surprised on the upside of expectations, edging up from 305 000 to 329 000 in the week ending the 19th of April. The Labour Department said there were no special factors, but it is difficult to adjust data around the Easter holidays.
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