Futures Higher Ahead of ECB, BOE
U.S. equity futures rose modestly in early Thursday trade
following strong Chinese trade data and ahead of the interest rate
decisions of the European Central Bank and the Bank of England.
Overnight, China reported that the trade balance was $31.6 billion
in December, well ahead of consensus forecasts of a $20.0 billion
trade balance. Also, exports grew at a 14.1 percent annualized
rate, well faster than consensus expectations of a 5.0 percent rise
and also the report showed strong signs of credit growth.
Top News
In other news around the markets:
Spain sold 5.7 billion euros of 2-, 5-, and 13-year bonds with
yields falling across the curve and on strong demand. Italy sold
8.5 billion euros of 1-year notes with yields falling and demand
remaining strong as well. The yield was the lowest since January
2010 at the auction. The Greek unemployment rate rose to 26.8
percent in October from an upwardly revised 26.2 percent in
September showing that the Greek tragedy that is the debt crisis is
not anywhere near over yet. S&P 500 futures rose 4.2 points to
1,460.00. The EUR/USD was higher at 1.3102. Spanish 10-year
government bond yields fell to 4.99 percent. This is the first time
that 10-year yields fell below 5 percent since March of 2012.
Italian 10-year government bond yields fell to 4.192 percent. Gold
rose 0.42 percent to $1,662.50 per ounce.
Asian Markets
Asian shares were higher overnight following the strong Chinese
trade data as investors' fears over a collapse in global trade
receded following the report. The Japanese Nikkei Index rose 0.7
percent in Tokyo while the Shanghai Composite Index rose 0.37
percent and the Hang Seng Index rose 0.59 percent. Also, the Korean
Kospi jumped 0.75 percent and Australian shares rose 0.31
percent.
European Markets
European shares were mostly higher in early trade and were
rising following the strong auctions from Spain and Italy. The
Spanish Ibex Index rose 0.15 percent overnight and the Italian MIB
Index rose 0.63 percent following the strong auctions. Meanwhile,
the German DAX rose 0.24 percent and the French CAC slipped 0.1
percent while U.K. shares rose 0.12 percent in early trade.
Commodities
Commodities were higher overnight led by energy futures on the
back of the Chinese trade data. WTI Crude futures rose 1.58 percent
to $94.56 per barrel and Brent Crude futures rose 1.23 percent to
$113.15 per barrel. Copper futures rose 1.14 percent to $371.25 per
pound as a stronger Chinese economy points to higher copper demand.
Gold was higher and silver futures rose 0.95 percent to $30.54 per
ounce.
Currencies
Currency markets were in risk-on mode on the back of the Chinese
trade data and the strong European auctions. The EUR/USD was higher
at 1.3102 and the dollar gained against the yen to 88.08. Overall,
the Dollar Index fell 0.23 percent on weakness against the euro,
the Canadian dollar, the Swiss franc and the Swedish krone. Also,
the AUD/USD was demonstrably stronger overnight after the Chinese
trade data and AUD/JPY was the best gainer, rising 0.82
percent.
Pre-Market Movers
Stocks moving in the pre-market included:
Corning Inc. (NYSE:
GLW
) shares rose 2.02 percent pre-market as the company announced at
CES that it is working with t.v. manufacturers to create large
panels of Gorilla Glass for large appliances. Microsoft (NASDAQ:
MSFT
) shares fell 0.75 percent pre-market as the company announced a
new partnership with Sprint (NYSE:
S
) to launch Windows smartphones on Sprint's network. Newmont Mining
(NYSE:
NEM
) shares rose 0.42 percent pre-market as gold prices rallied
sharply. Caterpillar (NYSE:
CAT
) shares rose 0.38 percent pre-market following the strong Chinese
data.
Earnings
MSC Industrial Direct Co (NYSE:
MSM
) is projected to report its Q1 earnings at $1.01 per share on
revenue of $582.26 million.SUPERVALU (NYSE:
SVU
) is expected to report its Q3 earnings at $0.06 per share on
revenue of $7.90 billion.Ceres (NASDAQ:
CERE
) is estimated to post a Q1 loss at $0.32 per share on revenue of
$1.33 million.Xyratex (NASDAQ:
XRTX
) is projected to post a Q4 loss at $0.32 per share on revenue of
$255.18 million.
Economics
On the economics calendar Thursday, the ECB and the BOE interest
rate decisions are expected early this morning followed by initial
jobless claims and wholesale trade. In addition, the Treasury is
set to auction 30-year bonds and Esther George of the Kansas City
Fed, James Bullard of the St. Louis Fed, and Narayana Kocherlakota
of the Minneapolis Fed are set to speak during the day.
Good luck and good trading.
(c) 2013 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice.
All rights reserved.
Profit with More New & Research
. Gain access to a streaming platform with all the information you
need to invest better today.
Click here to start your 14 Day Trial of Benzinga
Professional