Pier 1 (PIR: chart) stock gained 35 cents to $7.24.


European rate decisions

The Bank of England has, for the third time in three months reduced the benchmark interests rate by 0.25 percentage point to 5% while the European Central Bank left the rates unchanged at 4%.

Asian markets

In Tokyo Nikkei 225 Index closed lower 166.59 or 1.27% to 12,945.30, in Hong Kong Hang Seng index increased 202.53 or 0.84% closed to 24,187.10. In Australia ASX 200 index lower 73.80 or 1.34% to close 5,446.40. In Malaysia KL Composite index increased 20.45 or 1.67% closed to 1,248.19.

In South Korea Kospi Index increased 9.93 or 0.57% to close at 1,764.64, in Thailand SET index closed lower 5.21 or 0.63% to 820.98 and Indonesia JSE Index edged increased 55.85 or 2.56% to 2,235.93. Sensex index in India decreased 95.41 or 0.60% to 15,695.10.