US index futures are slightly higher this morning while European and Asian markets are mixed. The US GDP report is due out this morning, and expectations are calling for growth of 3%. There is still no final agreement on a Greek debt deal, but the chatter is that progress is being made and a deal will be struck in the next few days. Early morning earnings reports have not buoyed traders’ hopes for a big day.
At about 8:15 a.m. ET, Germany’s DAX is up 0.20% at 6,552.70 and France’s CAC 40 is down -0.40%, at 3,349.71. In London, the FTSE 100 is down -0.36%, at 5,774.22.
In Asia, the Hang Seng index closed up 0.31%, at 20,501.70 and the Nikkei index closed down -0.09%, at 8,841.22. The Shanghai exchange remains closed for the lunar new year holiday.
Dow futures are up 0.16%, at 12,704.00. The Nasdaq 100 is up 0.29%, at 2,460.25 and the S&P is up 0.11%, at 1,316.80.
In the currency markets, the US dollar is weaker against the British pound, the euro and the Japanese yen. The US dollar index is down -0.270% at 79.183.
In commodities, WTI and Brent crude are higher this morning, with WTI up 0.45% at $100.15/barrel and Brent is up 0.36% at $111.19/barrel. Gold is down -0.15% this morning, at $1,727.30/ounce.
Paul Ausick
