Yen up after attacks in Germany, Turkey, stocks steady on Yellen comments

The safe-haven Japanese yen was up in early Asian trade on Monday after attacks in Germany and Turkey spooked investors, while regional stocks were steady as financial markets pondered upbeat comments from the Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen. Traders were also looking ahead to the Bank of Japan's rates decision later in the day, and while policy settings are set to be kept steady the focus will be on Governor Haruhiko Kuroda's take on surging global bond yields and the impact on rates in Japan. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan rose 0.2 percent in early trade on Tuesday, while Tokyo's Nikkei was flat.

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Yen up after attacks in Germany, Turkey, stocks steady on Yellen comments

Yen spikes to 18-month peak, Amazon softens Apple blow

The yen surged to an 18-month peak on Friday as investors wagered the Bank of Japan might be done adding fresh stimulus to the economy, hurting prospects for Japanese exporters with a move that rippled through share markets across the Asian region. Perhaps taking advantage of Japan's absence for a holiday, speculators smashed through the yen's previous top at 107.63 per dollar and drove the currency as far as 107.075. It had been at 111.67 before Thursday's decision by the BoJ not to ease policy further, even though prior media reports had set the market up for more action.

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Yen spikes to 18-month peak, Amazon softens Apple blow

Yahoo results edge past estimates in good sign for sale of business

By Deborah M. Todd San Francisco (Reuters) – Yahoo Inc's first-quarter results beat Wall Street estimates by a hair on Tuesday in what was taken as a good sign for the web pioneer's plan to auction its core business. Under pressure from activist shareholder Starboard Value LP and others, Yahoo has ramped up a sale of its media, email and other web businesses. Yahoo's overall fortunes have failed to revive under Chief Executive Marissa Mayer, although she points to good results in key areas including social media.

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Yahoo results edge past estimates in good sign for sale of business

Yellen faces tough sell on Fed rate hikes in Congress

By Jonathan Spicer and Ann Saphir WASHINGTON/SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) – Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen will defend the U.S. central bank's first rate hike in a decade and likely insist that further rises this year remain on track, albeit at a slower pace, when she addresses Congress on Wednesday. Yellen, who is certain to be grilled by lawmakers on whether the economy really is ready for higher rates, will point to continued strong jobs growth even as financial markets have all but priced out any rate hikes this year and as signs of stress in the global financial system have re-emerged amid volatile markets. The Fed Chair also is likely to find herself in heated exchanges with lawmakers over the bank's perceived secrecy, with presidential candidates from both sides of the aisle now taking regular shots at the Fed on the campaign trail.

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Yellen faces tough sell on Fed rate hikes in Congress