In European Equity Markets the pan-European Stoxx 600 ended 0.60 percent higher, with the majority of sectors closing in positive territory. On the bourses front, the U.K.’s FTSE 100 finished trade roughly flat, down 0.01 percent, while France’s CAC 40 and Germany’s DAX closed higher, up 0.64 percent and 0.83 percent respectively. Chemicals was a top performing sector on Tuesday, closing up 1.17 percent boosted by Covestro, which closed up 3.33 percent. The German manufacturer said it had generated cash at a faster rate than previously thought in its quarterly earnings. SimCorp rose to the top of the STOXX 600, jumping over 12 percent by the close after reporting strong growth in its fourth quarter, and statingthat its dividend payout for 2017 would be higher.

In Currency Markets the US dollar rose to a six-day high against a basket of major currencies on Tuesday, extending a rebound from a three-year low last week, as investors shrugged off worries about the U.S budget deficit and focused on large U.S. government debt auctions this week. The U.S. Treasury is preparing to sell more than $250 billion worth of new debt this week, which analysts said would be a key gauge of international investors’ appetite for U.S. assets. The dollar has sold off in recent months on worries that the Trump administration’s recently passed tax cuts and plans for large government spending would balloon the deficit. The dollar index which measures the greenback against a basket of six major currencies, was up 0.61 percent at 89.646.

In Commodities Markets brent oil prices fell on Tuesday, under pressure from a stronger dollar and a bout of profit-taking, while U.S. futures held steady, bringing the discount between the two key futures contracts to a six-month low. Brent crude futures were down 65 cents from Monday’s close at $65.02 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were up 2 cents from their last close on Friday to $61.70 a barrel. Brent was trading at a premium to WTI of over $7 a barrel at the start of the year. Reduced supply from Canada to the United States caused by pipeline reductions was supporting WTI. A narrower premium of Brent to WTI means it is also less attractive for consumers in northwest Europe to import U.S. crude, especially with refiners conducting maintenance.

In US Equity Markets a decline in Walmart’s shares put the skids on the S&P 500 and the Dow’s six-day winning streak, but gains in Amazon and technology stocks kept the Nasdaq in positive territory. The world’s biggest brick-and-mortar retailer reported a lower-than-expected profit and posted a sharp decline in online sales growth during the holiday period. Its shares fell 10 percent, putting them on track to record their worst day in more than two years. Other retailers including Target, Kroger and Costco Wholesalefell between 1.3 percent and 3.7 percent, dragging the S&P consumer staples index down 2.15 percent. Amazon shares were up more than 1 percent. The S&P 500 lost 0.19 percent to trade at 2,727.15. The Nasdaq Composite rose 0.39 percent to 7,268.05, with support from tech heavyweights Apple, Nvidia and Microsoft.

In Bond Markets Euro zone government bond yields edged up on Tuesday as market speculation swirled over the next European Central Bank chief at a time when monetary policy is the main threat for bond markets. Euro zone finance ministers on Monday chose Spanish Economy Minister Luis de Guindos to succeed ECB Vice President Vitor Constancio in May, a move seen as boosting the chances of someone from one of the “core” euro zone countries becoming head of the ECB next year when Mario Draghi steps down. The yield on Germany’s 10-year government bond, the benchmark for the region, rose as much as 3 bps to 0.76 percent before steadying at around 0.73 percent. Germany also sold 3.99 billion euros of 2-year “Schatz” bonds after orders fell just short of the maximum 5 billion euro deal size.