### <center>Financial Markets - News- May 1, 2018</center>

##### <center>Below are the fresh articles about stock markets and indices from various sources</center>

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### <center>Gold dips to six-week low on firm dollar ahead of US Fed meet</center>
>Gold prices fell to a six-week low on Tuesday as the dollar firmed near 3-1/2-month highs, with
investors awaiting direction on U.S. monetary policy from the U.S. Federal Reserve.[**see the full article**](https://www.cnbc.com/2018/04/30/gold-market-dollar-in-focus.html)
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### <center>If the S&P 500 Doesn't Blow Past This Key Value, Look Out Below</center>

>It's time for stocks to flex their muscles. If not, then a vicious selloff may be in the cards. 
Or so says the stock chart watchers. Points out Bank of America Merrill Lynch's technical strategist Stephen Suttmeier:[**see the full article**](https://www.thestreet.com/investing/stocks/the-stock-market-must-blow-by-this-key-level-or-else-14574105)
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### <center>U.S. Treasury says first-quarter borrowing set record of $488 billion</center>
>WASHINGTON — The Treasury Department announced Monday that the government borrowed a record $488 billion in the January-March quarter, but officials expect borrowing needs will decline sharply for the current April-June quarter.[**see the full article**](https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/economy/2018/04/30/treasury-borrowing-set-record-488-billion/567166002/)
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### <center>Nikkei flat in subdued holiday trade; Sony stumbles on profit warning</center>
>TOKYO, May 1 (Reuters) - Japanese stocks were choppy in holiday-thinned trade on Tuesday, while Sony tumbled after the company issued a profit warning. The Nikkei was flat at 22,472.80 in midmorning trade, after moving into and out of the black earlier.[**see the full article**](https://www.cnbc.com/2018/04/30/reuters-america-nikkei-flat-in-subdued-holiday-trade-sony-stumbles-on-profit-warning.html)
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### <center>Solid manufacturing sector growth recorded in Japan in April - Nikkei Japan Manufacturing PMI</center>
>Japan's manufacturing sector expanded at a quickened pace during April amid improved growth rates in output and new orders. With robust demand exerting pressure on the production line, firms enhanced operating capacities by raising employment. Nonetheless, greater staff levels did not prevent backlogs of work from increasing. On the price front, inflation rates for both input costs and output charges softened. The headline Nikkei Japan Manufacturing Purchasing Managers IndexTM (PMI), a composite single-figure indicator of manufacturing performance, posted 53.8 in April, up from 53.1 in March to signal a solid improvement in operating conditions for Japanese manufacturers. For the first time since January, the headline PMI figure increased and thereby signalled a stronger rate of growth in the sector.[**see the full article**](https://steelguru.com/steel/solid-manufacturing-sector-growth-recorded-in-japan-in-april-nikkei-japan-manufacturing-pmi/508321)
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### <center>Nikkei 225 closes higher by 0.18% at 22,508.03</center>
>Tokyo's main index closes a little higher on the day [**see the full article**](https://www.forexlive.com/news/!/nikkei-225-closes-higher-by-018-at-2250803-20180501)
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### <center>European stocks rise, as London sets tone on May Day holiday</center>
>European stocks inched higher on Tuesday, with U.K. equities driving the market action as most of the region’s markets were closed for May Day.[**see the full article**](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/european-stocks-rise-as-london-sets-tone-on-may-day-holiday-2018-05-01)
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### <center>Did You Know that....</center> 
### <center>The first stock exchange thrived for decades without a single stock being traded? :)</center>


<center>***In the 1300's, the Venetians were the leaders in the field and the first to start trading securities from other governments.***</center>

<center>*Belgium boasted a stock exchange as far back as 1531, in Antwerp.*</center>