US consumer confidence data was slightly weaker than expected
The US consumer confidence data was slightly weaker than expected with a decline to 63.4 for March from a revised 72.0 previously while the Case-Shiller house-price index registered a 3.1% decline in the year to February.
US consumer confidence fell unexpectedly sharply in June, sinking to its lowest level in more than 16 years, according to a private industry group.