Morning Wire — US Stock-Index Futures Higher
April 17, 2012 by Paul Ausick
US index futures are higher this morning following the auction of 12- and 18-month Spanish debt. Demand was good, but yields on the 12-month bill rose from about 1.42% in March to 2.6% this month (our coverage here). In the US, March housing starts are announced this morning along with industrial production and utilization data. In Asia, foreign direct investment in China fell more than -6% year-over-year, pushing major indexes down slightly
At about 8:05 a.m. ET, Germany’s DAX is up 1.16% at 6,701.95 and France’s CAC 40 is up 1.31% at 3,247.41. In London, the FTSE 100 is up 0.79%, at 5,711.12.
In Asia, the Nikkei closed down -0.06% at 9,464.71. The Hang Seng index closed down -0.23% at 20,562.30 and Shanghai closed down -0.94% at 2,334.99.
Dow futures are up 0.48%, at 12,912.00. The Nasdaq is 0.36%, at 2,673.25 and the S&P is up 0.54%, at 1,371.20.
In the currency markets, the US dollar is stronger against the euro and the Japanese yen, and weaker against the British pound. The US dollar index is down -0.02% at 79.543.
In commodities, WTI and Brent crude are mixed this morning, with WTI up 0.69% at $103.64/barrel and Brent is down -0.09% at $118.57/barrel. Gold is up 0.39% this morning, at $1,656.10/ounce.
Paul Ausick
Essential Tips for Investing: Sponsored
A financial advisor can help you understand the advantages and disadvantages of investment properties. Finding a qualified financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to three financial advisors who serve your area, and you can interview your advisor matches at no cost to decide which one is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.
Investing in real estate can diversify your portfolio. But expanding your horizons may add additional costs. If you’re an investor looking to minimize expenses, consider checking out online brokerages. They often offer low investment fees, helping you maximize your profit.