[R]4:30PM NY; 9:30PM Frankfurt; 2:00AM Mumbai - GLOBAL MARKETS[/R]

U.S. averages made a steady climb during the trading despite 2.5% rise in oil price. Retailers reported better than expected sales in March on warmer weather and early arrival of Easter. Railroads, apparel retailers, steel makers and healthcare stocks gained in New York trading. European markets closed lower on rising oil and ECB decision to leave rates unchanged at 3.75%. China reported a rise in foreign exchange reserve to $1.2 trillion at the end of the first quarter, up $135.7 billion. Korean Steelmaker POSCO reported 38% rise in profit.


Yield on 10-year bond closed at 4.738% and the 30-year bond closed at 4.913%.

Gold declined $2.000 to close at $679.700 a troy ounce, silver decreased 3.5 cents to end at $13.855 a troy ounce and copper gained $120.000 to close at $7880.000 per metric ton.

Oil gained $1.48 to close at $63.850 a barrel and heating oil advanced 3.140 cents to finish at 190.610 cents a gallon. Natural gas increased 6.9 cents to close at $7.924 per MMBtu. Gasoline went up 3.310 cents to end at 219.180 cents a gallon.

Asian markets closed mostly lower as export-related shares lost ground on concerns slower economic growth in the U.S. could hamper demand for their products, while robust gains and earnings expectations boosted indexes in China and South Korea to record highs. The decliners were led by Philippines with a decrease of 2.15%, Singapore with a decline of 1.40% and Japan with a loss of 0.73%. The advancers were China with an increase of 1% and South Korea with a gain of 0.81%. Australia advanced 0.11%as takeover targets Qantas Airways and Coles grabbed the attention of cashed-up investors.

European markets finished lower with auto makers Renault and DaimlerChrysler under pressure as oil prices gained ground, although the European Central Bank provided some relief by leaving interest rates on hold. The decliners were led by Norway with a decrease of 0.85%, Spain with a loss of 0.76% and Netherlands with a decline of 0.61%. The only advancer was U.K. with an increase of 0.05%.

Latin America markets finished higher. The advancers were led by Argentina and Mexico both with a gain of 1.27% and Brazil with an advance of 0.91%. There were no decliners. Canada gained as gains in the energy and financial services groups were offset by declines in the information technology and materials groups.0.62%.

[R]2:30PM NY, U.S. Market Movers[/R]

Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (ANF: chart) said its same-store sales grew 7% in March, easily beating analysts'' expectations. Year-to-date, same-store sales are up 1%, while total sales are ahead 20% to $537.8 million from $449.5 million. Shares climbed 5.05%.

Chico''s FAS Inc. (CHS: chart) reported that its March sales number for the five-week period ended April 7, 2007, increased 22% to $191.2 million from $156.8 million reported for the five-week period ended April 1, 2006. Shares climbed 5.20%.

Pacific Sunwear (PSUN: chart) sales surged 14.1%. Wall Street expected a 3.4% rise. Shares climbed 5.73%.

Advanced Magnetics Inc. (AMAG: chart) reported positive results from two additional late-stage trials of its intravenous iron-replacement therapy in patients with chronic kidney disease. Shares of the company rose 9%.

Apogee Enterprises (APOG: chart), designer and maker of glass for windows, said its fourth-quarter net income increased 81% to $9.68 million, or 34 cents per shares compared with $5.35 million, or 19 cents per share a year earlier. Revenue climbed 17% to $206.2 million versus $175.6 million in the same period a year earlier. For fiscal 2008 the company expects revenue to grow 9% to 12%. The company raised its 2008 continuing operations per-share earnings guidance to a range of $1.27 to $1.37 from a range of $1.20 to $1.30. Shares climbed 10.9%.

ClickSoftware Technologies (CKSW: chart) said it''s signed an agreement with an undisclosed document management company. Shares climbed 13.6%.

Collegiate Pacific Inc. (BOO: chart) forecast third-quarter revenue that was in line with analysts'' estimates. For the period, the company said it expects revenue of about $63 million. Shares of the company rose 12.9%.

Fastenal Co. (FAST: chart), which operates stores that sell industrial and construction supplies, said its fiscal first-quarter profit rose 13% on an equal increase in revenue. For the quarter Fastenal earned $54 million, or 36 cents per share, compared with $47.9 million, or 32 cents per share, for the same quarter in 2006. Revenue increased 13% to $489.2 million versus $431.7 million in the year-ago period. Shares climbed 10.2%.

Mobius Management Systems Inc. (MOBI: chart) agreed to be acquired by Allen Systems Group Inc., an enterprise software provider, for $10.05 a share in cash. The company said upon completion of the transaction, it will be a unit of ASG. The transaction is expected to close in the second or third calendar quarter. Mobius said it expects a fiscal third-quarter loss of 8 to 10 cents per share on revenue of $18.7 million to $19.2 million. Shares jumped 31.5%.

Mothers Work Inc. (MWRK: chart) said sales at its stores open at least a year rose 3.6% in March, driven by an extra Saturday and the earlier timing of Easter. The company said March net sales rose 4.2% to $59.1 million due to an increase in same-store sales, and increased sales from its licensed relationship and marketing partnerships. Second-quarter net sales fell 0.5% to $143.9 million, as sales were hurt by significantly colder weather than last year in January and February, which hurt early sales of Spring merchandise. Shares climbed 9.6%.