The U.S. Dollar Index is trading at 94.55  up with  +0.02% percent or +0.02 point. The Dow Futures is trading at 26,075.00 with a loss of  -0.28% percent or  -72.00 point. The S&P 500 Futures is trading at 2,909.50 with a loss of -0.18% percent or  -5.25 point.  The Nasdaq Futures is trading at 7,653.50  with a loss of  -0.20% percent or -15.25 point.

TODAY’S FACTORS AND EVENTS

The British pound held firm in Asian trade on Thursday, after making its biggest gains in seven months the previous day, taking heart from the European Union’s offer of a post-Brexit ‘partnership’.

The pound surged as fears of a ‘hard Brexit’ eased after Michel Barnier signaled an accommodative stance towards London in ongoing talks.

Barnier said that the bloc was prepared to offer Britain a partnership, though no “single market a la carte”, which bolstered risk sentiment.

PREVIOUS DAY ACTIVITY

For the day the Dow is trading at 26,124.57 up with +0.23% percent or +60.55 point. The S&P 500 is trading at 2,914.04  up with +0.57% percent or +16.52 point. The Nasdaq Composite is trading at 8,109.69 up with +0.99% percent or +79.65  point.

WORLD MARKETS

Other leading market index closes included the small-cap Russell 2000 Index closed at 1,734.75 up with +0.37% percent or +6.33 point; the S&P 600 Small-Cap Index closed at 1,094.34 up with +0.16% percent or +1.70 point; the S&P 400 Mid-Cap Index closed at 2,050.23 up with +0.31% percent or +6.29 point; the S&P 100 Index closed at 1,291.51  up with +0.64% percent or +8.27 point; the Russell 3000 Index closed at 1,732.12 up with +0.041%0.54% percent or +9.29 point; the Russell 1000 Index closed at 1,617.25  up with +0.55% percent or +8.90 point;