Futures Rise on Budget Talks
U.S. equity futures rose early Thursday as Congressional
leaders continue to meet to some up with a way to avoid the
fiscal cliff. Today, leaders will meet with Treasury Secretary
Geithner and other White House representatives to continue to
work to find an agreement on how to avoid the fiscal cliff.
Top News
In other news around the markets:
- German unemployment increased 5,000 in November, slower
than the rate expected by economists of 15,000 but still
showing the eighth consecutive monthly increase.
- Italy raised 5.982 billion euros at auction this morning,
issuing 5- and 10-year bonds with yields staying low. 10-year
bond yields fell in the secondary market to the lowest level
since early 2011 following the strong auction.
- Barclays (NYSE:
BCS
) sees a copper shortage extending into the first half of 2011
as Chinese growth accelerates and production remains low.
- S&P 500 futures rose 7.9 points to 1,415.00.
- The EUR/USD was higher at 1.2989.
- Spanish 10-year government bond yields fell to 5.247
percent.
- Italian 10-year government bond yields 4.51 percent.
- Gold rose 0.47 percent to $1,726.60.
Asian Markets
Asian shares were mostly higher overnight on hopes that U.S.
leaders could reach a budget deal. The Japanese Nikkei Index rose
0.99 percent while the Shanghai Composite Index fell 0.51 percent
and the Hang Seng Index rose 0.99 percent. Also, the Korean Kospi
rose 1.15 percent and Australian shares rose 0.68 percent.
European Markets
European shares were higher overnight buoyed by the positive
comments from Washington and the strong Italian auction driving
down yields. The Spanish Ibex Index rose 1.17 percent and the
Italian MIB Index rose 1.7 percent. Meanwhile, the German DAX
rose 0.78 percent and the French CAC 40 rose 1.11 percent while
U.K. shares gained 0.89 percent.
Commodities
Commodities were stronger overnight on the positive sentiment
emanating from Washington. WTI Crude futures rose 1.13 percent to
$87.46 per barrel and Brent Crude futures rose 0.89 percent to
$110.49 per barrel. Copper futures 0.76 percent to $356.45 per
ounce on the Barclays report. Gold was higher and silver futures
rose 0.28 percent to $33.87 per ounce.
Currencies
Currency markets showed broad euro strength in early trade
following the Italian auction and the better than expected German
unemployment data. The EUR/USD was higher at 1.2989 and the
dollar rose against the yen to 82.09. Overall, the Dollar Index
fell 0.29 percent to 80.11 on weakness against the euro, the
Swedish krone, and the Swiss franc. The Aussie dollar was broadly
weaker and the Swiss franc and Swedish krone both were stronger
after the respective countries reported better than expected GDP
data.
Pre-Market Movers
Stocks moving in the pre-market included:
- Aeropostale (NYSE:
ARO
) shares fell 7.58 percent pre-market as earnings disappointed
and guidance was lowered.
- Disney (NYSE:
DIS
) shares rose 0.85 percent pre-market as the company hiked its
dividend from $0.60 to $0.75 per share.
- Groupon (NASDAQ:
GRPN
) shares fell 1.13 percent pre-market following an 11.62
percent gain Wednesday after founder Andrew Mason defended the
company in an interview.
- Tiffany (NYSE:
TIF
) shares rose 0.82 percent pre-market ahead of its earnings
release.
Earnings
Notable companies expected to report earnings Thursday
include:
- Barnes and Noble (NYSE:
BKS
) is expected to report a second quarter loss of $0.11 per
share vs. a loss of $0.17 per share a year ago.
- Kroger (NYSE:
KR
) is expected to report third quarter EPS of $0.43 vs. $0.33 a
year ago.
- Tiffany and Company (NYSE:
TIF
) is expected to report third quarter EPS $0.63 vs. $0.70 a
year ago.
- Zumiez (NASDAQ:
ZUMZ
) is expected to report third quarter EPS of $0.48 vs. $0.45 a
year ago.
Economics
On the economics calendar Thursday, lots of economic data is
set to be released throughout the day. Chain store sales are
expected as well as third quarter GDP data, jobless claims, and
corporate profits. Later, Pending Home Sales, the EIA Natural Gas
Report, and the Kansas City Fed Manufacturing Index are all
expected. In addition, Richard Fisher of the Dallas Fed is set to
speak and the Treasury is set to auction 7-year notes.
Good luck and good trading.
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