Quick Overview

• U.S. producer price index rose 0.2% in April and up 6.5% YoY. Excluding food and energy, prices rose 0.4% in April and up 3.0% YoY.
  

• The Chicago Fed's index of national activity fellfrom -.98 to -1.17 in April
  

• Canada’s wholesale sales rose 0.6% MoM.
  

• Japan's index of service rose 0.3% in March.
  

• Germany’s Producer prices rose 1.1% in April.
  
  

• The USDA predicts world sugar production down 2% in 2008-2009, with ending stocks down 3.5 million to 41.44 million tons -- 25% of annual use.
  
  

• The World Gold Council said world gold demand totaled 701 tons in the first quarter of 2008, down 16% YoY. World mine production totaled 593 tons.
  

• T. Boone Pickens predicted crude would reach $150 a barrel this year.