MORNING REPORT
(7am AEDT)

US producer prices rose by 0.8pct in September, driven by higher energy prices. Economists had tipped a gain of only 0.2pct. But the core rate - excludes food and energy - rose by 0.2pct, just above the consensus forecast for a 0.1pct rise. And the NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing market index hit a 17-month high in October, lifting from +14 to +18.

Net capital inflows to the US stood at US$89.6 billion in August compared with an outflow of US$52.4bn in July. And US chain store sales rose by 4.6pct in the latest week compared with a year earlier but sales in October so far are down 0.6pct on September.

European shares were mixed on Tuesday. While investors were encouraged by latest economic data in China, there were fears that ratings agency Moody´s could put France´s credit rating on negative outlook. The FTSEurofirst index fell by 0.4pct, but while the UK FTSE lost 0.5pct, the German Dax was higher by 0.3pct.

US sharemarkets spiked higher in the last hour of trade after the UK Guardian newspaper reported that France and Germany had agreed to lift the size of the European stability fund to 2 trillion euros. The Dow Jones lifted 146pts in 15 minutes and ended higher by 180pts or 1.6pct, while the S&P 500 was up 2.0pct and the Nasdaq gained 42.5pts or 1.6pct.

US long-dated treasuries fell on Tuesday (yields higher) as equities and commodities rose in response to encouraging economic news. US 2yr yields fell 1pt to 0.27pct while US 10yr yields rose by 6pts to 2.176pct.

The Euro and commodity currencies fell against the greenback in European trade but rose sharply in line with the surge in US sharemarkets in late trade. The Euro fell from early highs of US$1.3780 to lows around US$1.3655 before spiking to US$1.3810 and ending US trade near US$1.3765. The Aussie dollar eased from US102.20c to lows around US101.20c, but rebounded to US103.20c and ended US trade near US102.80c. And the Japanese yen traded between 76.60 yen per US dollar and JPY76.90, ending US trade near JPY76.85.

Global crude oil prices rose on Tuesday, buoyed by latest Chinese economic data. Chinese production rose 13.8pct in the year to September with economic growth up 9.1pct and retail sales rose by 17.7pct. Nymex crude oil rose by US$1.96 or 2.3pct to US$88.34 a barrel while Brent crude rose by US99c to US$111.15 a barrel.

Base metal prices were mostly weaker on Tuesday as investors weighed up the latest economic data from China. While nickel rose by 0.9pct, other metals lost between 0.3-3.1pct with lead faring the worst. And gold fell with the Comex December gold price lower by US$23.80 an ounce to US$1,652.80.

Ahead: In Australia, Reserve Bank Assistant Governor Guy Debelle gives a speech. In the US, consumer prices, housing starts and the Federal Reserve Beige Book are released.