OVERNIGHT MARKETS AND NEWS

March E-mini S&Ps (ESH16 +0.81%) are up +0.83% and European stocks are up +2.37% as a rally in crude oil gives energy producers a lift. Also, European automakers moved higher after Eurozone Nov new car registrations rose more than expected at the fastest pace in 5 months. Mining stocks gained as well, led by a nearly 5% increase in Glencore Plc, after JPMorgan Chase upgraded the stock to a ‘Buy,’ citing its “credible” strategy update. Asian stocks settled mixed: Japan -1.68%, Hong Kong -0.17%, China -0.29%, Taiwan +0.41%, Australia -0.39%, Singapore +0.02%, South Korea +0.26%, India +0.68%. Japan’s Nikkei Stock Index fell to a 1-3/4 month low as exporter stocks declined after USD/JPY slipped to a 6-week low, which reduces exporters’ earnings prospects.

The dollar index (DXY00 -0.02%) is down -0.07% at a 5-week low on speculation the Fed will reiterate that it sees a gradual pace of interest rate increases even after it raises interest rates tomorrow. EUR/USD (^EURUSD) is up +0.14% at a 1-1/2 month high. USD/JPY (^USDJPY) is up +0.10%.

Mar T-note prices (ZNH16 -0.10%) are down -7 ticks.

Eurozone Nov new car registrations rose +13.7% y/y to 1.085 million units, the biggest increase in 5 months.

The German Dec ZEW survey expectations of economic growth rose +5.7 to 16.1, stronger than expectations of +4.6 to 15.0.

U.S. STOCK PREVIEW

Key U.S. news today includes: Dec Empire manufacturing survey of general business conditions (expected +3.74 to -7.00, Nov +0.62 to -10.74), (2) Nov CPI (expected unch m/m and +0.5% y/y, Oct +0.2% m/m and +0.2% y/y) and core CPI (expected +0.2% m/m and+2.0% y/y, Oct +0.2% m/m and +1.9% y/y), (3) the first day of the 2-day FOMC meeting where the market is discounting a three-quarters chance of a 25 bp rate hike, and (4) Dec NAHB housing market index (expected +1 to 63, Nov -3 to 62).

There is 1 of the Russell 1000 companies that report earnings today: FactSet Research Systems (1.46).

U.S. IPO’s scheduled to price today: none.

Equity conferences: European Society for Medical Oncology Asia Congress on Fri.

OVERNIGHT U.S. STOCK MOVERS

Amgen (AMGN +1.91%) rose nearly 2% in pre-market trading after it said it reacquired all product rights to Prolia, Xgeva and Vectibix from Glaxo in 48 countries.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email