EQUITIES TALK

S&P 500 probing the 1300 mark as DAX clears 5847.
But Nikkei still not able to put together a convincing rally, adding 0.8 pct at 15890.
ASX 200 up 0.8 pct.

Oil-related shares not contributing to gains as crude oil went for $70/brl. Growth/cyclical sector leading gainers.

Apple in a funk, dropping another 2.6 pct. Several issues: battery recalls, options backdating and MSFT’s IPOD initiative.

For the upcoming day, we do expect more activity with both US consumer confidence (14.00 GMT) and FOMC minutes (18.00). Swedish retail sales (7.30) also of note.