US markets trading mixed, dollar extends losses

FXstreet.com (Barcelona) - US shares are up-ticking on Tuesday, as the higher oil prices are lifting the energy sector. In addition, better -than-estimated earnings from pharmaceutical giant Pfizer (PFE) is helping the rally in the Dow, leading the rest of the blue-chips. The US dollar is prolonging its downside, accelerated after the US consumer confidence disappointed investors.
At the moment, DowJones is up 0.40%, followed by the S&P500, advancing 0.30%. On the opposite side, the Nasdaq is retreating 0.23%.

Markets in Europe closed mainly in positive ground, with the sole exception of the Spanish benchmark, down 0.34%. Once again, the FTSE100 led the winners, up 0.71%, seconded by the DAX and the CAC40, up 0.20% and 0.13%, respectively. The single currency failed to break above the key handle at 1.3500, although remains trading in the upper end of the range, buoyed by the lacklustre US consumer confidence data.

In the commodity area, the barrel of WTI is approaching the $98 mark, advancing 1.21%. The ounce troy of gold is finally reverting previous losses, advancing 0.495 at $1663