Morning Wire — US Stock-Index Futures Nearly Flat

February 22, 2012 by Paul Ausick

US index futures are essentially flat this morning following a report that European manufacturing is slowing and that China’s factory output was lower for the fourth consecutive month. Rising crude prices are also weighing on equities. In Europe, the unexpected drop in PMI showed that German expansion is slowing and the major indexes are lower. In Asia, markets finished higher today, thanks to a weaker Japanese yen and some hopes that China would once again step on its economic accelerator to get manufacturing output back up.

At about 8:15 a.m. ET, Germany’s DAX is down -0.66% at 6,862.36 and France’s CAC 40 is down -0.31%, at 3,454.60. In London, the FTSE 100 is down -0.29%, at 5,911.14.

In Asia, the Hang Seng index closed up 0.33%, at 21,549.30 and the Nikkei index closed up 0.96%, at 9,554.00. The Shanghai exchange closed up 0.93%, at 2,403.59.

Dow futures are down -0.03%, at 12,941.00. The Nasdaq 100 is down -0.02%, at 2,590.50 and the S&P is down -0.08%, at 1,359.00.

In the currency markets, the US dollar is weaker against the euro and stronger against the British pound and the Japanese yen. The US dollar index is up 0.13% at 79.211.

In commodities, WTI and Brent crude are mixed this morning, with WTI down -0.22% at $106.02/barrel and Brent is up 0.17% at $121.87/barrel. Gold is down -0.02% this morning, at $1,758.20/ounce.

Paul Ausick

Take This Retirement Quiz To Get Matched With A Financial Advisor (Sponsored)

Take the quiz below to get matched with a financial advisor today.

Each advisor has been vetted by SmartAsset and is held to a fiduciary standard to act in your best interests.

Here’s how it works:
1. Answer SmartAsset advisor match quiz
2. Review your pre-screened matches at your leisure. Check out the
advisors’ profiles.
3. Speak with advisors at no cost to you. Have an introductory call on the phone or introduction in person and choose whom to work with in the future

Take the retirement quiz right here.