Wall Street advanced on Tuesday after stronger-than-expected retail sales data suggested a return of consumer spending and further gains by stocks.  The data showed retail sales rose 0.8 percent in July, the first rise in four months and biggest since February. Economists polled by Reuters had expected a 0.3 percent increase. The S&P retail index gained 0.9 percent.  "The retail sales is good, and it just continues the trend right now for the S&P to go higher," said Frank Lesh, a futures analyst and broker at FuturePath Trading LLC in Chicago.  "It keeps us going for now. I didn't see anything here that said sell your longs or get out; if anything, it said buy."

European stocks rose in morning trade on Tuesday, reversing the previous session's dip and resuming their three-week rise as tepid growth figures from Europe strengthened the case for further stimulus measures from the region's policymakers.  Data showed on Tuesday the euro zone economy contracted by 0.2 percent in the second quarter, while Germany eked out growth of 0.3 percent but the country's forward-looking ZEW sentiment index slid for a fourth month running, undercutting even the lowest estimate in a Reuters poll.  "The data was broadly in line with what was expected, so not much impact on the relatively good mood in equities, which seem to have further room on the upside. If the rally of the past three weeks was not justified, then we would have had a big pull-back already," said Alexandre Baradez, senior sales trader at Saxo Banque.

Japan's Nikkei share average inched up on Tuesday as investors picked up stocks that were oversold during a disappointing earnings season, with hopes for fresh global stimulus continuing to underpin quiet markets. Hopes that central banks will further ease policy to boost a flagging global economy helped the Nikkei to its biggest weekly gain last week since February, despite no sign of imminent Institutional action. 

Toshiba Corp slipped 3.7 percent after the Yomiuri business daily reported that it will likely sell a 16 percent stake in nuclear power plant company Westinghouse Electric Co out of the 67 percent it already owns. 

This article was compiled by Valletta Fund Management Limited, a member of the BOV Group. Valletta Fund Management, TG Complex, Suite 2, Level 3, Brewery Str., Mriehel BKR 3000.  Freephone: 80072344. email: infovfm@bov.com Internet address: www.vfm.com.mt. Valletta Fund Management Limited is licensed by the MFSA.

Wall Street advanced on Tuesday after stronger-than-expected retail sales data suggested a return of consumer spending and further gains by stocks.  The data showed retail sales rose 0.8 percent in July, the first rise in four months and biggest since February. Economists polled by Reuters had expected a 0.3 percent increase. The S&P retail index gained 0.9 percent.  "The retail sales is good, and it just continues the trend right now for the S&P to go higher," said Frank Lesh, a futures analyst and broker at FuturePath Trading LLC in Chicago.  "It keeps us going for now. I didn't see anything here that said sell your longs or get out; if anything, it said buy."

European stocks rose in morning trade on Tuesday, reversing the previous session's dip and resuming their three-week rise as tepid growth figures from Europe strengthened the case for further stimulus measures from the region's policymakers.  Data showed on Tuesday the euro zone economy contracted by 0.2 percent in the second quarter, while Germany eked out growth of 0.3 percent but the country's forward-looking ZEW sentiment index slid for a fourth month running, undercutting even the lowest estimate in a Reuters poll.  "The data was broadly in line with what was expected, so not much impact on the relatively good mood in equities, which seem to have further room on the upside. If the rally of the past three weeks was not justified, then we would have had a big pull-back already," said Alexandre Baradez, senior sales trader at Saxo Banque.

Japan's Nikkei share average inched up on Tuesday as investors picked up stocks that were oversold during a disappointing earnings season, with hopes for fresh global stimulus continuing to underpin quiet markets. Hopes that central banks will further ease policy to boost a flagging global economy helped the Nikkei to its biggest weekly gain last week since February, despite no sign of imminent Institutional action. 

Toshiba Corp slipped 3.7 percent after the Yomiuri business daily reported that it will likely sell a 16 percent stake in nuclear power plant company Westinghouse Electric Co out of the 67 percent it already owns. 

This article was compiled by Valletta Fund Management Limited, a member of the BOV Group. Valletta Fund Management, TG Complex, Suite 2, Level 3, Brewery Str., Mriehel BKR 3000.  Freephone: 80072344. email: infovfm@bov.com Internet address: www.vfm.com.mt. Valletta Fund Management Limited is licensed by the MFSA.