A global stock index edged up to a six-year high on Wednesday and Wall Street closed at a record high as U.S. data suggested the economy is improving, while the price of spot gold jumped 1 percent. The safe-haven yen touched a 10-week low against the U.S. dollar, and Brent crude futures hit a five-month low as expectations that rebel-held Libyan oil ports will reopen within days. New orders for U.S. factory goods rebounded more than expected in February, with shipments posting their biggest gain in seven months in a sign the economy was regaining momentum. Separate private-sector data showed U.S. companies picked up ... (full story)