Investors speculate that the Federal Reserve could soon begin to rein in its bond-buying program. | Gold hits new low as Fed pressured to end stimulus

Regional president hints central bank could begin to ease up on its loose monetary policy this summer. | Fed hawks unite in call for retreat from mortgage stimulus

Equity markets decline on soft U.S. housing, labor data; bond prices rise.

Expectations of continued stimulative central bank policies push Dow and S&P 500 to new closing highs.

The German economy narrowly avoided recession in the first quarter of 2013, with 0.1 percent growth.

Hopes of steady U.S. growth extend equities' bull run; strengthening dollar brings further losses in oil, gold.

Recent signs of strength in the U.S. labor market adds to bullish sentiment on the dollar and pushes both the Dow and the S&P 500 to record closing highs.

U.S. dollar rises to its highest against the Japanese currency in more than four years.
Yen-dollar rate in one chart

Major equity indexes hit five-year peaks; Dow, S&P at record highs for fifth day. | China’s deceptive April trade data [Blouin Business]

Accommodating monetary policies that have kept interest rates low, as well as solid earnings, have helped lift the S&P 500 13.5% so far this year.