Italian Stocks Rise; UniCredit, Assicurazioni Generali, Monte Paschi Gain

(Bloomberg) -- Italian stocks advanced, led by
UniCredit SpA and Assicurazioni Generali SpA. Banca Monte dei
Paschi di Siena SpA shares also climbed.

The S&P/MIB Index added 141, or 0.3 percent, to 43,160 at
9:10 a.m. in Milan, as 28 stocks increased, 10 fell and two were
unchanged. Futures expiring in June gained 126, or 0.3 percent,
to 43,240.


Read more at Bloomberg Stocks News

ECM, CETV, KGHM, Lotos, Telekomunikacja: Central European Equity Preview

(Bloomberg) -- The following stocks may rise or fall
in central European markets. Symbols are in parentheses and
prices are from the last close.

The NTX Index of 30 companies in the region lost 0.4 percent
to 1,933.29 as 18 stocks fell, nine rose and three were
unchanged. The measure added 0.1 percent last week.


Read more at Bloomberg Stocks News

U.K. Growth in House Prices Slows to a Four-Month Low, Hometrack Reports

(Bloomberg) -- U.K. house prices rose at the slowest
pace in four months in May as interest rates at a six-year high
discouraged buyers, Hometrack Ltd. said.

The average cost of a home in England and Wales increased
0.6 percent from April, the least since January, to 175,600
pounds ($348,000), a survey by the London-based research company
showed today. Price growth was ``subdued'' in all regions apart
from the areas around the capital as London prices rose 1.3
percent from the previous month, Hometrack said.


Read more at Bloomberg Currencies News

Australian Equities Decline, Led by Macquarie; BHP Billiton, Rio Advance

(Bloomberg) -- Australian stocks dropped, led by
Macquarie Bank Ltd. after hedge fund manager Jim Chanos, who
predicted the collapse of Enron Corp., said the company's shares
are likely to drop.

Mining stocks rose, led by BHP Billiton Ltd. and Rio Tinto
Group, after prices of metals including copper and zinc gained,
and amid speculation of mergers and acquisitions in the mining
industry.


Read more at Bloomberg Stocks News

Monte Paschi, Pop. Dell'Emilia, Edison, Pirelli: Italian Equity Preview

(Bloomberg) -- The following stocks may rise or fall
in Italy. Stock symbols follow company names and prices are from
the last close.

The S&P/MIB increased 79, or 0.2 percent, to 43,019. The
number of declining shares outweighed those advancing. The gauge
dropped 3 percent last week, its worst performance since the five
days ended March 2. Futures expiring in June gained 73, or 0.2
percent, to 43,150.


Read more at Bloomberg Stocks News

New Zealand Dollar May Fall as Consumer Confidence Slips for Third Month

(Bloomberg) -- New Zealand's dollar may fall on
speculation declining consumer and business confidence will
reduce domestic demand, ensuring interest rates will be
unchanged next week.

Consumer confidence fell for a third month in May, showed a
poll conducted for Television New Zealand published today.
Business confidence fell for a second month in April, according
to ANZ National Bank Ltd., which releases this month's survey
May 31. The currency has gained 3.1 percent this year as the
Reserve Bank of New Zealand raised interest rates twice to a
record 7.75 percent to curb consumer spending and housing demand.


Read more at Bloomberg Currencies News

Bank of China May Sell $392 Million of Yuan-Denominated Bonds in Hong Kong

(Bloomberg) -- Bank of China Ltd., the nation's
second-biggest lender, plans to sell as much as 3 billion yuan
($392 million) of bonds in Hong Kong in what may be the city's
first sale of Chinese currency bonds.

The debt will have a maturity of up to three years, the
Beijing-based lender said in a statement to the Shanghai Stock
Exchange today. The yuan has risen 5.8 percent in the past year
against the Hong Kong dollar.


Read more at Bloomberg Emerging Markets News