Multiplex Index: Yen and Baseball Edition

According to reports, currencies were pushed around by economic reports coming in from different parts of the world.

According to Bloomberg, the yen's fall today came as some data showed that Chinese manufacturing expanded for another month. With at least one small indicator in their pocket showing the economic downturn easing in Asia, many investors began looking for riskier investments to plow into.

The euro strengthened a bit after data showed better German retail sales, likely translating into no interest rate movements coming from the European Central Bank tomorrow.

CurrencyShares British Pound Sterling(FXB Quote) was gaining 74 cents to come to $165.14 in the morning. CurrencyShares Japanese Yen(FXY Quote) was losing 0.4%, while CurrencyShares Euro(FXE Quote) was up 0.8%. PowerShares DB US Dollar Index Bullish(UUP Quote) slipped 0.7%, as PowerShares DB US Dollar Index Bearish(UDN Quote) was gaining 0.7% this morning.

Thus, in keeping with the spirit of the Multiplex Index, today's yen slide means a trip to Tokyo is in order. While there, you can experience a bit of the country's looney fever for baseball, too, if you see Rookies: Sotsugyô.

The number one movie in the country right now, it's the story of a rag-tag group of high-school ruffians who play baseball and are seeking redemption led by a down-and-out literature teacher.

By most accounts, it sounds a wee bit like The Bad News Bears, if those kids grew up to become smokers, fighters and Japanese.

Here's the index...