Asian Shrs End Higher; China Up Despite IPO Resumption

Asian markets ended broadly higher Friday, as financials advanced in China after the country opened the door for new share listings, while chip makers gained on upbeat industry data.
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GBP/USD: Pound reaches levels above 1.6450

After several attempts the Pound has broken through resistance level at 1.6450, and extends rally from intra-day low at 1.6300 reaching levels right below 1.6480.
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Croatia Drops Ban On Sunday Retail Opening - Report

A Croatian court has annulled a ban on Sunday shopping imposed six months ago after retailers hit by the global economic crisis launched a legal challenge against the move, a report said.
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London To Gain From European Fincl Regulation Deal

London's financial center will benefit from the European Union's deal to establish a financial regulation watchdog, although the 27-member bloc must work harder to strengthen single market rules, Prime Minister Gordon Brown said Friday.
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USD/CAD bounces at 1.1250 and tests 1.1300 after Canadian retail sales

USD/CAD has bounced at 1.1250 level to rise above 1.1280 and test 1.1300 resistance fueled by a worst then expected Canadian retail sales in April. pair has rising 50 pips after the data released to the currently 1.1290/1.1300, yet 0.25% below today's opening price.
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Brazil Real Opens Marginally Stronger, Low Volume Expected

Brazil's real opened stronger Friday morning, but is expected to remain in a tight range with low volume throughout the day. The real opened at BRL1.96 per dollar after closing Thursday at BRL1.9710on the Brazilian Mercantile and Futures Exchange, or the BM&F.
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UK Brown: London To Gain From European Financial Regulation Deal

London's financial center will benefit from the European Union's deal to establish a financial regulation watchdog, although the 27-member bloc must work harder to strengthen single market rules, Prime Minister Gordon Brown said Friday.
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Latvian 1Q Curr Acct Swings To 1.1% Of GDP Surplus

The Latvian current account showed a surplus of 1.1% of gross domestic product in the first quarter, compared with a deficit of 16.8% of GDP a year earlier, the Bank of Latvia said Friday. There was a first-quarter surplus of 37.7 million Latvian lats ($75.6 million), compared with a deficit of LVL627.6 million last year. Goods exports fell 26.8% on the year in the first quarter, while imports declined 35.5%.
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