In European Equity Markets the pan-European Stoxx 600 rose 0.58 percent by the close with all of the region’s sectors closing in positive territory. Telecoms was the strongest performer, closing up more than 1 percent as a group. Altran Technologies led the gains in Europe, up by 7.86 percent, following a ratings upgrade. Aston Martin started trading on the London Stock Exchange for the first time. However, shares fell about 5 percent on their market debut on the back of concerns that the brand will struggle to deliver an ambitious roll-out of new models.

In Currency Markets the U.S. dollar gained on Wednesday as data supported the view that the U.S. economy is in strong shape and as concerns about Italy’s budget negotiations continued to weigh on the euro. Private employers added 230,000 jobs in September, the most since February, according to the ADP National Employment Report on Wednesday. That was more than economists’ expectations of 185,000 jobs. The euro has been testing key technical support at $1.510-$1.508, which was a temporary low set in June.

In Commodities Markets oil fell modestly on Wednesday, retreating from session peaks near a four-year high as top exporter Saudi Arabia said it increased output and after Reuters reported that Russia and Saudi Arabia had struck a deal to pump more. Saudi Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih said the kingdom had raised output to 10.7 million barrels per day in October and would pump more in November. The record high for Saudi output is 10.72 million bpd in November 2016. Brent crude fell 10 cents to $84.70. The price hit $85.45 on Monday, its highest since November 2014.

In US Equity Markets stocks rose on Wednesday, with the Dow at an all-time high, driven by gains in financial and technology stocks. Ten of the 11 major S&P sectors were higher. The S&P 500 was up 0.37 percent, at 2,934.25 and the Nasdaq Composite rose 0.36 percent, at 8,028.36. Michael Kors rose 1.6 percent after Citi upgraded the company’s shares, citing a potential upside from its recent purchase of Italian fashion house Versace. Intel was up 2.3 percent. The chip-maker, which rose 3.6 percent on Tuesday, was among the biggest drivers on the Dow.

In Bond Markets Italian government bond yields fell sharply on Wednesday on reports that Rome plans to cut the budget deficit faster than it had previously indicated, easing fears about the fiscal policy of the euro zone’s third-biggest economy. The 10-year Italian government bond yield was down 12 bps at 3.31 percent, well below Tuesday’s 4 1/2-year high around 3.46 percent. That left the gap over benchmark German bond yields , a closely-followed indicator of relative country risks, at 283 bps versus 300 bps late Tuesday.