In European Equity Markets stocks ended Wednesday’s session relatively upbeat, as investors shook off concerns surrounding escalating trade tensions between the U.S. and China. The U.K.’s FTSE 100 rose 0.41 percent at the close, while France’s CAC 40 added 0.57 percent and Germany’s DAX saw gains of 0.52 percent. Basic resources was the best performing group, up almost 3 percent. Among the sector’s top performers are FTSE-listed mining stocks including Glencore, Antofagasta, Anglo American and BHP Billiton were all trading up over 3 percent or above.

In Currency Markets the US dollar was steady against the euro and the Japanese yen and slipped against the risk-sensitive Aussie, as investors appeared little shaken by the latest round of tariffs announced by China and the United States. The euro was 0.04 percent lower, while the yen, which tends to benefit during geopolitical or financial stress as Japan is the world’s biggest creditor nation, was slightly lower against the greenback. The Australian dollar, seen as a proxy for China-related trades as well as a barometer of broader risk sentiment, was 0.48 percent higher.

In Commodities Markets brent oil prices eased modestly on Wednesday but stayed near their highest level this year, supported by concerns that producers may fail to cover a supply shortfall once U.S. sanctions on Iran come into force in November. Brent, the global oil benchmark, slipped 18 cents to $78.85 a barrel, after Tuesday’s 1.3 percent rise on a media report that Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest oil exporter, was comfortable with prices above $80. U.S. crude prices were last up 28 cents at $70.13.

In US Equity Markets the indices were mixed on Wednesday, helped by upbeat housing data and a gain for bank stocks driven by rising Treasury yields, while a decline in Microsoft pressured the tech-heavy Nasdaq. The S&P 500 was flat at 2,905.97 and the Nasdaq Composite fall 0.42 percent, at 7,922.87. Five of the 11 major S&P sectors were higher. The technology sector fell 0.69 percent, led by a 1.4 percent decline in Microsoft, followed by a 1.0 percent decline in shares of Apple. But utilities fell 1.09 percent, the most among the 11 major S&P sectors.

In Bond Markets Italian government bonds fell sharply on Wednesday, with yields on short-dated debt rising as much as 10 basis points on the day on renewed fears members of the ruling coalition would push through high-spending policies in the budget. Two-year yields rose to a high of 0.739 percent while five-year yields touched 1.84 percent. Ten-year bond yields rose 7 bps to 2.86 percent, adding to earlier rises.