Equities advance as tech stocks rise on acquisition deals

The Dollar weakening continues currently . The live dollar index data show the ICE US Dollar index, a measure of the dollar’s strength against a basket of six rival currencies, edged down 0.1% Friday despite the Bureau of Labor Statistics report showing US consumer price index for August rose 0.4% when a 0.3% growth was expected. GBP/USD added to its losses Friday while EUR/USD continued climbing as consumer prices fell in Germany 0.1% over month, in line with forecasts, while UK gross domestic product climbed 6.6% over month in July. Both pairs are higher currently. AUD/USD reversed its sliding while USD/JPY continued retreating Friday with both yen and Australian dollar higher against the greenback currently.

Futures on US equity benchmark are up currently ahead of central bank meetings in UK, Japan and the United States this week. The three main US stock indexes recorded losses ranging from 1.7% to 4.1% in Labor Day shortened week led by Nasdaq. European stock indexes are rising currently after a mixed trading Friday. Asian indexes are mostly higher today led by Australia’s All Ordinaries ASX 200 Index .

Brent is edging higher today as Gulf of Mexico drillers shut in production with tropical storm Sally gaining in strength in the Gulf of Mexico west of Florida, poised to become a category 2 hurricane. Oil prices ended mixed last session. The US oil benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) futures are higher currently after October WTI edged up 0.08% Friday. November Brent crude lost 0.6% to $39.83 a barrel on Friday.

Gold prices are edging up today. December gold slid 0.8% to $1947.90 an ounce on Friday.