Quick Overview

• The Institute of Supply Management's U.S. index of services increased from 60.5 to 63.0 in April, more than expected.
  

• U.S. factory orders were up 4.2% in March, more than expected.
  

• Australia increased its benchmark interest rate by a quarter-percent to 5.75%, the highest in over five years.
  

• The unemployment rate in the Euro zone improved from 8.2% to 8.1% in March
  
  

• UBS said the uptake of Barclays' silver exchange traded fund is exceeding expectations and will likely reach and possibly exceed 100 million troy ounces within the first month.
  
  

• The U.S. Department of Energy said that:
  Supplies of crude oil supplies were up 1.7 million barrels last week to 346.7 million barrels.
  Supplies of unleaded gasoline were up 2.1 million barrels
  Supplies of heating oil supplies were down 800,000 barrels.