international news

Asian stock markets were mixed in rangebound trade on Wednesday, amid ongoing uncertainty over the future of the Federal Reserve's stimulus program.

Markets on Wall Street closed with modest gains on Tuesday after the Conference Board said that its index of consumer confidence declined to a seven-month low of 70.4 in November from a reading of 72.4 in October. The disappointing confidence data came after an upbeat U.S. housing data.
The EUR is trading on firmer footing against the major currencies this morning after the German chancellor, Angela Merkel reached a deal with the Social Democratic Party to form a coalition government.
Today's German GfK consumer confidence data and Italy's Senate vote on whether to expel former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi will be keenly watched.