The euro produced gains against its major counterparts benefitting from the overall risk appetite. This came after Germany’s unemployment edged lower to 6.8% from 6.9%. Bundesbank’s President Weidmann reiterated his stance once more, saying that it is wrong for the ECB to become the lender of last resort. According to sources, the IIF expects the Greek debt deal, based on the October 26th accord, to be finalized within the next few days. Versus the US dollar, the single currency stepped above 1.30, opening at 1.2935 and closing at 1.3053. Against the Australian dollar, the euro dropped to 1.2585 from 1.2616, recording yet another all-time low at 1.2565.

The US dollar depreciated against a basket of currencies as the ISM manufacturing came out with a positive surprise along solid construction spending data. The FOMC minutes from the December meeting, released yesterday, revealed that several members are not pleased with the projection of having the rates untouched up until mid-2013. Worries over the eurozone's crisis, were once more expressed but the key point of discussion was the Fed's communication policy, as changes to strategies have all been identified well in advance. The central bank’s view is that the positive data string may be brief with the global economic environment still poor, and thus there is no need to engage in policy normalization now. Against the Swiss franc, the greenback dropped to 0.9317 from 0.9396.

The Australian dollar rose to 1.0369 from 1.0249 against the US dollar, as strong US data pushed the currency higher. The British pound jumped to 1.5645 from 1.5518 versus the US dollar, as the PMI manufacturing came out better than expected.

Oil prices jumped to 102.66 dollars a barrel from 100.00. Gold rose to 1606.16 dollars an ounce from 1572.18. Silver moved up to 29.62 dollars an ounce from 28.158

Equities	EUROPE				US				ASIA3
	FTSE 100	2.29%			S&P 500	1.55%			NIKKEI	1.33%
	DAX	1.50%			DJIA	1.47%			HIS	-0.61%
	CAC	0.72%			NASDAQ	1.67%			CSI 300	-2.00%