Global stocks climb, gold extends record streak

LONDON, April 8: European equities rose Monday after a broadly positive Asian performance while gold soared to a new record peak at the start of a busy week that will include a eurozone interest rate decision and key US inflation data.

Most Asian markets squeezed out gains as traders weighed the chances of the US Federal Reserve cutting interest rates this year after a forecast-busting US jobs report dented hopes for a first move in June.

"The sense of optimism could stem from the fact the week holds a lot of big events, including the European Central Banks interest rate decision on Thursday," said Sophie Lund-Yates, lead equity analyst at stockbroker Hargreaves Lansdown.
"Theres an expectation that (ECB) rates will be held at 4.5 percent, and even more important will be the commentary around the decision, as investors look for clues of cuts coming in summer."    —AFP