Global stocks rise on continuing optimism on Greek debt deal
Source: AP
By YURI KAGEYAMA
TOKYO (AP) — Global shares rose Wednesday, and Japan's benchmark hit an 18-year high, amid optimism about a bailout deal between Greece and its creditors.
KEEPING SCORE: France's CAC 40 fell 0.1 percent in early trading to 5,053.44. But Germany's DAX gained 0.2 percent to 11,563.69 and Britain's FTSE 100 rose 0.1 percent to 6,844.41. U.S. shares were set to drift slightly lower with the S&P 500 futures inching down 0.1 percent to 2115.
GREECE HOPES: Greece faces defaulting on its debt without new loans, but appeared to be moving closer to an agreement to secure new funding. A Greek default and the nation's potential exit from the euro currency could shake financial markets.
EYES ON FED: Investors also remain focused on when the U.S. Federal Reserve might increase its key interest rate for the first time in nearly a decade. Fed Gov. Jerome Powell said at an event hosted by the Wall Street Journal on Tuesday that he expects the U.S. central bank to begin raising its benchmark interest rate in September, with a second rate rise coming in December.
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Men walk past an electronic stock indicator of a securities firm showing Tokyo's Nikkei 225 in Tokyo, Wednesday, June 24, 2015. Asian shares rose Wednesday, and Japan's benchmark hit an 18-year high, amid optimism about a bailout deal between Greece and its creditors. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
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