Brazil led gainers in the region with a rise of 0.95% followed by increases in Venezuela of 0.74% and in Colombia of 0.46%.

Asian Markets

In Tokyo Nikkei 225 Index closed higher 322.60 or 2.38% to 13,863.47, in Hong Kong Hang Seng index decreased 164.54 or 0.64% closed to 25,516.78. In Australia ASX 200 index closed lower on Thursday by 65.60 or 1.16% to close 5,587.30. In Malaysia KL Composite index decreased 5.00 or 0.39% closed to 1,288.08.

In South Korea Kospi Index increased 25.34 or 1.41% to close at 1,824.68, in Thailand SET index closed lower 1.90 or 0.32% to 598.33 and Indonesia JSE Index edged lower 29.40 or 1.30% to 2,240.98. Sensex index in India increased 404.90 or 2.42% to 17,125.98.

Commodities, Metals, and Currencies

Crude oil increased $2.57 to close at $118.63 a barrel for a front month contract, natural gas increased 17 cent to $10.96 per mBtu, and gasoline futures increased 3.19 cents to close at 305.05 cents per gallon.

Gold increased $0.30 in New York trading to close at $889.70 per ounce, silver closed up $0.19 cents to $16.78 per ounce, and copper for front month delivery decreased 2.55 cents to $3.87 per pound.

Wheat futures decreased 8.50 cents in Chicago trading and closed at $8.15 per bushel. Sugar decreased 4 cent to $12.25 per pound. Soybean future closed down 24.00 cents to $13.37 a bushel.

Dollar edged higher but traded near record low against euro to $1.5594 and edged higher against yen to 104.45.

Yields on U.S. bonds increased to 3.86% with 10 years of maturities and decreased 4.59% with 30-year of maturities.