US economic data on Thursday were mostly positive.
The Conference Board's index of US leading indicators rose 0.4 percent in April, its fourth consecutive monthly increase, suggesting that the US economy will strengthen after weak growth at the start of the year.
Existing home sales rose 1.3 percent in April.
Markit's flash US manufacturing PMI rose to 56.2 in May from 55.4 in April.
However, the Chicago Federal Reserve national activity index fell to -0.32 in April from +0.34 in March. Nevertheless, the index's three-month moving average rose to +0.19 in April from +0.04 in March.
Economic data elsewhere on Thursday were mixed.
In the euro area, private sector activity maintained growth in May, with the flash reading for Markit's composite PMI at 53.9, albeit down from 54.0 in April.
Markit's eurozone services index rose to 53.5 in May from 53.1 in April but its manufacturing index fell to 52.5 from 53.4.
In contrast, China's manufacturing activity improved in May but stayed in contraction. HSBC's preliminary China manufacturing PMI for this month showed a rise to 49.7 from 48.1 in April.
Similarly, Markit reported that its manufacturing PMI for Japan rose to 49.9 in May from 49.4 in April.
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