MORNING REPORT
(7am AEDT - Due to the change in daylight saving hours in the US - Wall street now closes at 7am AEDT)

The German ZEW investor survey soared in March jumping by 17.1 points to 22.3 - the highest since June 2010.

US retail sales lifted by 1.1pct in February, slightly above expectations. The January result was revised up to show a lift of +0.6pct (previously shown as +0.4pct). Excluding autos, sales rose by 0.9pct in February.

The US Federal Reserve left the federal funds rate unchanged at a range of 0-0.25pct and vowed to keep rates exceptionally low until at least 2014. The Fed noted that the economy has been expanding moderately.

European shares rose to 8-month highs on Tuesday in response to encouraging economic data in Europe and the US and the decision by Euro zone levels to approve the latest Greek bail-out. The benchmark FTSEurofirst 300 index rose by 1.7pct with the UK FTSE up by 1.1pct while the German Dax gained 1.5pct.

US sharemarkets rose in early trade on Tuesday and gains accelerated late in the day after JP Morgan Chase announced a lift in its dividend and a $15 billion share buyback. The announcement points to positive results from upcoming bank stress test results. At the close the Dow Jones was higher by 218pts or 1.6pct with the S&P 500 up by 1.7pct and the Nasdaq gained 56pts or 1.7pct.

US treasuries fell on Tuesday (yields higher) as investors shifted from safe haven government bonds to riskier assets such as equities and commodities. US Treasury sold $21 billion in 10-year debt on Tuesday and plans to sell $13 billion in 30-year bonds on Wednesday. US 2yr yields rose by 2pts to 0.346pct and US 10yr yields rose by 9pts to 2.12pct.

The US dollar was generally stronger against major currencies in European and US trade on Tuesday. The Euro eased from highs near US$1.3175 to around US$1.3050, and was near US$1.3060 in late US trade. The Aussie dollar eased from highs around US105.55c to US104.85c, and was close to US105.10c in late US trade. And the Japanese yen eased from 81.95 yen per US dollar to JPY83.07 and was near these lows against the greenback in late US trade.

Benchmark crude oil prices rose on Tuesday with solid economic data in Europe and the US offsetting a firmer greenback. US Nymex rose by US37c or 0.3pct to US$106.71 a barrel while London Brent crude rose by US88c to US$126.22 a barrel.

Base metal prices rose on Tuesday in response to solid economic data in the US and Europe. Metals gained up to 3.3pct with tin leading the way. Other metals generally rose around 1pct. But the gold price eased in response to a firmer greenback with the April Comex gold price lower by US$5.60 or 0.3pct to US$1,694.20 an ounce.

Ahead: In Australia, dwelling starts and consumer sentiment data are released. In the US, the current account is released together with export and import prices.