Markets Trade Flat

The Global Markets trade in a mixed territory this morning. U.S Stocks retreated, pulling the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index down from a 32- month high and trimming an earlier gain in Europe, after American retail sales grew less than economists forecast and prices of imported goods climbed. European stocks rose for a third day, sending the Stoxx Europe 600 Index to its highest level since September 2008, as companies from Barclays Plc to Danone posted results that beat analysts’ estimates. This morning Asian stocks climbed as Nomura Holdings Inc. raised its growth forecasts for Japan and analysts upgraded companies from Toshiba Corp. to Westpac Banking Corp. In commodities, Oil advanced from an 11-week low in New York after an industry-funded report showed crude supplies declined in the U.S., signaling a demand recovery in the world’s biggest consumer of the commodity. Gold may decline on speculation its advance to the highest level in almost a month because of inflation concern could deter some investors. Copper fell for a second day on concern that record prices and the prospect of more tightening measures by China, the largest user, may affect demand. Lead and tin also declined. Markets saw another quiet opening today, on cues from US and Asian markets. The Sensex opened at 18,273. The index slipped into red to a low of 18,238 before recovering and touching a high of 18,349.The Sensex trades in red declining 18 points at 18,255. Nifty was down 4 points at 5,476.