OVERNIGHT MARKETS ROUND UP – 28/04/14

Asian equity benchmarks were marginally softer in early trading on Monday morning in sympathy of ongoing Ukraine concerns. Global risk appetite can’t help be bound by the consequences of a potentially very global problem. The Dollar has traded generally lighter against most pairings. Meanwhile, European stock indices are looking to open ahead of Friday’s close. 

Here in London, we’re digesting news that Ophir Energy (OPHR) is no longer considering making a bid for Premier Oil (PMO). A story broke in The Times over the weekend that PMO had been a target for some time. Buyers that helped edge up shares by more than 4 percent on Friday will be closely following prices on the open.

The US giant Pfizer has today confirmed its approach to AstraZeneca (AZN), concluding the chain of information that has seen its shares more than 10 percent higher over the last week. 

Investors looking for Macro flow will turn to US pending home sales out at 3pm (BST). Economists are forecasting a 1 percent expansion on the last print of -0.8 percent.