Futures Drop on Cliff Fears
U.S. equity futures fell in early Friday trade as indications
that leaders will return early were not enough to restore
confidence that a deal can be reached to avoid the Fiscal Cliff.
Now, it appears likely that a deal will be reached to push the
tough decisions into 2013, as was always the more likely case.
Top News
In other news around the markets:
The final reading of third quarter French GDP was reported at +0.1
percent in the quarter, below the prior estimate of +0.2 percent
and missed estimates of a +0.2 percent reading. Japanese Finance
Minister Aso spoke overnight, stating that the government would
intervene in currency markets when gains or losses in the yen
become excessive. In short, the government wants a weaker yen but
they want it in an orderly fashion, for a sharp weakening would
drive inflation to uncontrollable levels and could spark
hyperinflation. The People's Bank of China released a statement
overnight saying that current inflation levels are are stable and
that the PBOC will use various policy tools to drive credit growth.
S&P 500 futures fell 2.5 points to 1,408.25. The EUR/USD was
lower at 1.3172 and has now failed to break 1.33 on a few occasions
over the past few weeks. Spanish 10-year government bond yields
rose to 5.302 percent. Italian 10-year government bond yields fell
to 4.524 percent. Gold was lower by 0.23 percent at $1,660.10 per
ounce.
Asian Markets
Asian shares were mostly higher overnight despite Fiscal Cliff
fears and signs that Japanese intervention may be more muted than
previous signals indicated. The Japanese Nikkei Index rose 0.7
percent while Chinese shares jumped 1.24 percent in Shanghai on the
positive PBOC comments and the Hang Seng Index rose 0.21 percent.
In addition, the Korean Kospi rose 0.49 percent as the central bank
intervened to weaken the currency and Australian shares rose 0.5
percent.
European Markets
European shares were mostly lower in early trade as Fiscal Cliff
fears dominated and weak French GDP shows that the eurozone crisis
continues to consume the continent. The Spanish Ibex Index fell
1.25 percent following large losses Thursday in financials and the
Italian MIB Index fell 0.37 percent; Bankia shares fell a whopping
28 percent in early trade as the company was named as having a
large negative equity in a report from the Spanish bailout fund
Thursday. Meanwhile, the German DAX fell 0.31 percent and the
French CAC fell 0.81 percent and U.K. shares dropped 0.09
percent.
Commodities
Commodities were mostly lower overnight following the weak
French GDP data and concerns over slowing inflation in China. WTI
Crude futures fell 0.07 percent to $90.81 per barrel and Brent
Crude futures fell 0.25 percent to $110.51 per barrel. Copper
futures rose slightly by 0.07 percent to $360.35 per pound as
Chinese and Australian shares rallied. Gold was lower and silver
futures fell 0.51 percent to $30.09 per ounce.
Currencies
Currency markets seem to be in reversal mode Friday, as pairs
that had gained over the course of the weak gave back some of those
gains. The EUR/USD was lower at 1.3172 and the dollar rose against
the yen slightly to 86.19 but was well off of the highs near 86.50.
Overall, the Dollar Index rose 0.35 percent on strength against the
euro, the Swiss franc, and the Swedish krone.
Pre-Market Movers
Stocks moving in the pre-market included:
General Electric (NYSE:
GE
) rose 2.51 percent pre-market on a positive note on Seeking Alpha.
Nokia (NYSE:
NOK
) shares fell 2.5 percent as the company reached a deal with
Blackberry maker Research In Motion (NASDAQ:
RIMM
) to license some patents. U.S. Steel (NYSE:
X
) shares fell 0.47 percent pre-market as the steel glut continues
to keep prices low.
Earnings
No notable companies are expected to report earnings Friday.
Economics
On the economics calendar Friday, the Chicago PMI and pending
home sales are due out as well as the EIA Natural Gas and Petroleum
Status reports. Also, Brazil is set to issue its official
debt-to-GDP ratio at 8:00 am New York time.
Good luck and good trading.
(c) 2012 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice.
All rights reserved.
Gain access to more investing ideas, tools & education.
Get Started on Marketfy, the first ever curated
& verified Marketplace for everything trading.