U.S. MARKETS

US stocks finished up more than one per cent despite a two-minute mini-crash caused by a false news agency tweet, with good earnings results from DuPont, Travelers and Netflix.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average on Tuesday was up 152.29 (1.05 per cent) at 14,719.46. The broad-based S&P 500 added 16.28 (1.04 per cent) at 1,578.78, while the tech-rich Nasdaq Composite Index jumped 35.78 (1.11 per cent) to 3,269.33.

The market spent most of the day in positive territory, save for a brief plunge after a bogus Twitter message from a hacked Associated Press account said there were two explosions at the White House and President Barack Obama had been injured.

EUROPEAN STOCK MARKETS

European stock markets rose strongly as traders focused on corporate earnings and brushed aside weaker-than-expected economic data out of Germany and China, seeing it as adding pressure on the ECB to act.

London's FTSE 100 index of leading companies rose two per cent to 6406.12 points on Tuesday, while in Frankfurt the DAX 30 climbed 2.41 per cent to 7658.21 points, and in Paris the CAC 40 jumped 3.58 per cent to 3783.05 points. Madrid shot up 3.26 per cent and Milan and Milan gained 2.93 per cent. The euro slid to $US1.3011 ($A1.27) from $US1.3059 late on Monday in New York.

ASIA-PACIFIC STOCKS, MARKETS

Asian shares mostly fell as fresh data showed Chinese manufacturing weakening further this month, while Japan's Nikkei succumbed to profit-taking and a pick-up in the yen.

The latest figures from China add to growing concerns about the world's number two economy, a crucial driver of global growth, following last week's worse-than-forecast gross domestic product results.

Shanghai tumbled 2.57 per cent, or 57.63 points to 2,184.54 and Hong Kong was down 1.08 per cent, or 237.76 points, at 21,806.61. Tokyo closed 0.29 per cent lower, giving up 38.72 points to 13,529.65 and Seoul fell 0.40 per cent, or 7.68 points, to 1,918.63.

The NZX 50 Index gained 32.842 points, or 0.7 per cent, to 4516.501.

The Australian market looks set to open higher after strong rises on international markets overnight as traders focused on corporate earnings and brushed aside weaker-than-expected economic data out of Germany and China. At 0744 AEST on Wednesday, the June share price index futures contract was up 50 points at 5,052.

In economic news on Wednesday, Reserve Bank of Australia deputy governor Philip Lowe is expected to address the Australian Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai lunch on the Journey of Financial Reform.

In equities news, Petsec Energy March is due to post its quarter results, while Woodside Petroleum and Buderim Ginger have their annual general meetings.

COMMODITIES

Oil prices have rebounded from an early fall to finish almost flat after weak economic news in China and Europe. US benchmark West Texas Intermediate for June delivery gave up one cent to close at $US89.18 ($A87.20) per barrel.

European oil benchmark Brent futures dipped eight cents to $US100.31 per barrel. The decline in oil came after preliminary data showed manufacturing activity in China slowed in April due to sluggish foreign demand.

The HSBC purchasing managers' index (PMI) for the month came in at 50.5, from 51.6 in March. A reading above 50 indicates growth and anything below points to contraction.

Gold futures ended lower after data showing an April deceleration in global factory activity snuffed out a four-day winning streak. Gold for April delivery, the front-month contract, fell $US12.40, or 0.9 per cent, to settle at $US1,408.60 a troy ounce on the Comex division of the New York Mercantile Exchange.

The most actively traded contract, for June delivery, fell $US12.40, or 0.9 per cent, to settle at $US1,408.80 a troy ounce. Gold prices had rallied 4.4 per cent off 26-month lows set on April 15, rising for four straight trading days through Monday, as consumers in India and China rushed to buy gold jewellery and bullion bars and coins. COMPILED FROM MORRISON SECURITIES PTY. LTD.