The US dollar may fall for a third day on concern a government report today will show the current-account deficit held near a record in the first quarter. The U.S. is paying more for goods from abroad than it's getting for exports, increasing demand for foreign exchange and putting pressure on the dollar to weaken.

U.S. stocks rallied the most in more than two years after manufacturing growth in the Northeast exceeded forecasts and remarks from Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke eased concern inflation is out of control. Exxon Mobil Corp., the world's biggest oil company, and Alcoa Inc., the No. 1 aluminum maker, climbed along with crude and metal prices. Bear Stearns Cos. paced a jump in brokerage shares after it reported record earnings. European stocks rose the most in three weeks as investors focused on companies with prospects for higher earnings after the market rout left them cheap. Anglo American Plc and ING Groep NV paced the gain. Asian stocks trading in the U.S. posted their best performance since September 2003 on rising commodity prices and government reports showing a resilient U.S. economy even in the face of rising interest rates. Singapore's stocks rose for the first time in three days. Creative Technology Ltd. advanced after the company said a U.S. trade commission will investigate a patent infringement complaint against rival Apple Computer Inc. Chartered Semiconductor Manufacturing Ltd. led computer chip-related companies higher as Goldman, Sachs and Co. raised its ratings for Intel Corp., Advanced Micro Devices Inc. and other U.S. semiconductor companies. Malaysian stocks fell for a third day, headed for their lowest close in almost six months, on concern rising interest rates at home and abroad will hurt the economy. Lenders such as Bumiputra-Commerce led the decline.

Japanese stocks may rise as remarks by Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke eased concern U.S. inflation is out of control, while reports on manufacturing in the world's largest economy exceeded forecasts. Shares companies that do much of their business abroad including Canon Inc. and Toyota Motor Corp. may lead the advance, following the biggest rally in two years in U.S. shares.