New-home sales, tabulated when contracts are signed, climbed 12% to a 280,000 annual pace last month, according to the median estimate in a Bloomberg News survey of 64 economists. Purchases slumped 17% in February to a 250,000 rate, the weakest in data going back to 1963.

Exchanges from Australia to the U.K. and Germany remain shut today for the Easter holiday.

China's Shanghai Composite Index led losses in Asia after China International Capital Corp. said the nation's consumer prices may rise as much as 5.5% this month. Singapore's inflation held at 5% in March, a government report today showed.

'Strong Enough'

"It's very clear that some Asian countries will keep raising rates more while their economies are strong enough to see more hikes," said Hideki Hayashi, a global economist at Mizuho Securities Co. in Tokyo. "On the other hand, market players expect the U.S. this week to suggest it would keep low rates for some time, which means more yield appeal for Asia."

Silver, which has more than doubled over the past year, traded at $48.2288 per ounce after earlier reaching a high of $49.79 as investors sought precious metals as a store of value. Gold for immediate delivery rose as much as 0.8% to a record $1,518.32 an ounce.

Corn for July delivery surged 2.1% to $7.60 a bushel on speculation that wet, cold weather across the U.S. Midwest will further delay planting, reducing yields. Wheat for July increased 2.6% to $8.5634 a bushel.

Oil for June delivery increased 0.6% to $112.93 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange, after Syrian security forces detained at least 200 people following the killing of anti-government protesters and U.S. Senator John McCain said rebels in Libya need more assistance in the fight against Muammar Qaddafi's forces.

Inflation Concern

The jump in commodity prices is fueling speculation policy makers in Asia will step up tightening efforts. The Malaysian ringgit gained as much as 0.5% to 2.9910, the strongest level since Oct. 9, 1997, on speculation the central bank will raise interest rates next month to help damp inflation.