Asian markets

The Nikkei 225 Index in Tokyo closed lower 27.52 or 0.21% to 13,039.69, Hang Seng index in Hong Kong increased 362.77 or 1.66% closed to 22,184.55. ASX 200 index in Australia increased 42.50 or 0.86% to close 4,979.90. The KL Composite index in Malaysia increased 14.90 or 1.31% closed to 1,150.39.

The Kospi Index in South Korea increased 30.08 or 1.96% to close at 1,567.51, SET index in Thailand closed higher 8.43 or 1.17% to 730.29 and JSE Index in Indonesia increased 0.62 or 0.03% to 2,276.85. The Sensex index in India decreased 456.39 or 3.28% to 13,469.85.

Commodities, Metals, and Currencies

Crude oil increased $3.39 to close at $145.04 a barrel for a front month contract, natural gas closed down to 46 cents to $11.84 per mBtu and gasoline futures increased 5.23 cents to close at 356.32 cents per gallon.

Gold increased $18.60 in New York trading to close at $960.60 per ounce, silver closed up 50 cents to $18.82 per ounce, and copper for front month delivery increased 2.15 cent to $3.74 per pound.

Wheat futures increased 12.750 cent in Chicago trading and closed at $8.30 per bushel. Sugar increased 38 cent to $13.99 per pound. Soybean future closed up 9.00 cents to $15.96 a bushel.

Dollar edged lower and traded near record low against euro to $1.5934 and fell against yen to 106.25.

Yields on U.S. bonds increased to 3.95% with 10 years of maturities and increased to 4.53% with 30-year of maturities.