US markets edge lower, Barnes & Noble rallies by 64.84%

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US markets edge lower, Barnes & Noble rallies by 64.84%

FITITOL--> FXstreet.com (Barcelona) - While US personal consumption expenditure dropped below consensus in both yearly and monthly basis, core data has risen in March. US personal income also rose by 0.4% in March, above 0.3% expectations.

The American stock indexes of SP 500 and Nasdaq 100 are edging lower by â€"0.30% and -0.50%, while the Dow Jones 30 trades flat. The news of the day is Microsoft $300 million investment in Newco of Barnes Noble, that will still own 82.4% of the business. BKS stock is rising by 64.84%, at $22.55, after having peaked by 91% in pre-market.

The European indexes are under water, with German DAX 30 down by -0.21% and the French CAC 40 losing -1.10%.

Financial pressure over Spain, with the SP downgrading 16 Spanish banks and the country indicating technical recession in Q1, is weighing on the IBEX 35, down by -1.17%. The Italian FTSE MIB is down by -0.88% and the British FTSE 100 sheds -0.60%.

Crude oil trades at $104.40, down by -0.48%, bouncing from $104.20 area. Gold lost its position at $1665 zone and plunged to $1656, -0.40% daily loss.