Venezuela led the gainers in South American trading with a gain of 1.07% followed by increases in Argentina and Brazil of 0.57%, and in Mexico of 0.04%. Peru led the decliners in the region with a loss of 1.3% followed by losses in Colombia of 0.07% and in Chile of 0.14%.


Asian Markets

In Tokyo Nikkei 225 Index closed lower 199.80 or 1.49% to 13,250.43, in Hong Kong Hang Seng index decreased 267.07 or 1.09% closed to 24,311.69. In Australia ASX 200 index lower 53.50 or 0.95% to close 5,571.50. In Malaysia KL Composite index increased 4.64 or 0.38% closed to 1,225.71.

In South Korea Kospi Index decreased 18.85 or 1.06% to close at 1,754.71, in Thailand SET index closed higher 2.05 or 0.25% to 826.85 and Indonesia JSE Index edged decreased 37.03 or 1.62% to 2,249.77. Sensex index in India decreased 169.46 or 1.08% to 15,587.62.

Commodities, Metals, and Currencies

Crude oil decreased $0.24 to close at $108.85 a barrel for a front month contract, natural gas decreased 8 cent to $9.72 per mBtu, and gasoline futures decreased 2.10 cents to close at 277.77 cents per gallon.

Gold decreased $8.80 in New York trading to close at $918.80 per ounce, silver closed down $0.41 cents to $17.71 per ounce, and copper for front month delivery decreased 9.00 cents to 389.05 per pound.

Wheat futures increased 13.00 cents in Chicago trading and closed at $9.47 per bushel. Sugar decreased 25.00 cent to $11.87 per pound. Soybean future closed down 3.50 cents to $12.51 a bushel.

Dollar edged lower and traded near a record low against euro to $1.5722 and edged lower against yen to 102.41.

Yields on U.S. bonds declined to 3.55% on 10-year bonds and rose on 30-year bonds to 4.37%.