U.S. Retail Sales Unexpectedly Increase in February, Spurring a Rise in USD/JPY

Retail spending in the U.S. unexpectedly increased 0.3% in February after advancing a revised 0.1% in the previous month, while sales less autos jumped 0.8% during the same period to top forecasts for a 0.1% rise.

European Stocks Rise, Extending Weekly Gain; Asian Shares Climb

European stocks advanced amid speculation the European Union will offer to bail out Greece and as U.S. retail sales unexpectedly increased. U.S.

Canadian dollar opened at 97.78 cents US, up 0.15 of a cent (Canadian Business)

TORONTO – The Canadian dollar opened at 97.78 cents US, up 0.15 of a cent from Thursday’s close.The U.S.

Candian Unemployment Unexpectedly Falls As Full-time Hires Soar

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Candian Unemployment Unexpectedly Falls As Full-time Hires Soar

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Canadian dollar opened at 97.78 cents US, up 0.15 of a cent (Canoe Money)

TORONTO – The Canadian dollar opened at 97.78 cents US, up 0.15 of a cent from Thursday’s close.

European Industrial Output Increases Most in 20 Years (Update2)

European industrial output rose the most in two decades in January as the reviving global economy prompted companies to boost production of goods including steel and machinery parts.

Euro Rallies as Growth Prospects Improve, British Pound Extends Rebound

The Euro extended the advance from the previous day and rallied to a fresh weekly high of 1.3795 during the overnight trade as the economic docket reinforce an improved outlook for the region. Meanwhile, EU President Jean-Claude Juncker acknowledged that the Euro-Zone needs new instruments to avert future crises, but argued that creating a European Monetary Fund would not solve the debt issues with Greece and that it would be “meant for more broad-based crises.”

Oil, Gold Rebound Amid Broad US Dollar Selling

Crude oil, gold and silver rebounded amid broad-based selling of the US dollar in what appeared to be a return to typical “risk on” trading in European hours.

Currencies Higher; Commodity Bloc Lags

The markets have picked up in European trade, with currencies broadly bid against the buck.

FOREX: Ringgit Closes At New 19-Month High Against US Dollar (Bernama)

KUALA LUMPUR, March 12 (Bernama) — The ringgit closed at a new 19-month high against the US dollar on Friday on offshore buying, dealers said.