Equities mixed with US markets closed for Memorial Day - 31.5.2021

The Dollar strengthening has halted currently. The live dollar index data show the ICE US Dollar index, a measure of the dollar’s strength against a basket of six rival currencies, gained 0.1% on Friday as the Bureau of Economic Analysis reported the core personal consumption expenditures (PCE) surged 3.1% in April, exceeding the Fed's 2% target.

Both EUR/USD and GBP/USD resumed their sliding Friday despite the European Commission report euro-zone economic sentiment climbed more than expected in May to notch a three-year high. Both pairs are lower currently. USD/JPY ended little changed while AUD/USD continued sliding Friday with both Australian dollar and yen higher against the Greenback currently.

Futures on US equity benchmarks are higher currently after climbing on Friday as investors brushed off a stronger than expected inflation data for April. The three main US stock benchmarks recorded daily gains ranging from 0.1% to 0.2% Friday with SP500 and Dow posting their first weekly gain in the past three weeks.

European stock futures are up currently after ending higher on Friday led by financial shares. Markets in the United States and United Kingdom are closed for a holiday. Asian indexes are mixed today with Shanghai Composite leading gains despite data showing China's factory activity grew at slightly slower pace as raw materials costs surged.