The U.S. Dollar Index is trading at 96.88  up with +0.11% percent or +0.11 point. The Dow Futures is trading at 24,833.00  with a loss of -0.30% percent or -74.00 point. The S&P 500 Futures is trading at 2,682.62 with a loss of -0.31% percent or -8.38 point.  The Nasdaq Futures is trading at 6,802.50  with a loss of  -0.32% percent or -20.00 point.

TODAY’S FACTORS AND EVENTS

The dollar struggled to recover in Asian trade on Friday, hobbled by fresh speculation that a widely expected rate hike later this month could be the last before Federal Reserve hits the pause button on its tightening cycle.

Investors have been alarmed by recent sharp falls in U.S. treasury yields, with an inversion of the yield curve signalling a sharp economic slowdown or even a recession down the road.

PREVIOUS DAY ACTIVITY

For the day the Dow is trading at 24,947.67 with a loss of -0.32% percent or -79.40 point. The S&P 500 is trading at 2,695.95 with a loss of – 0.15% percent or -4.11 point. The Nasdaq Composite is trading at 7,188.26  up with +0.42% percent or +29.83 point.

WORLD MARKETS

Other leading market index closes included the small-cap Russell 2000 Index closed at 1,477.41 with a loss of -0.23% percent or −3.34 point; the S&P 600 Small-Cap Index closed at 922.43  with a loss of -0.28% percent or -2.63 point; the S&P 400 Mid-Cap Index closed at 1,817.48  with a loss of – 0.50% percent or -9.14 point; the S&P 100 Index closed at 1,196.20  with a loss of -0.11% percent or -1.28 point; the Russell 3000 Index closed at 1,587.18 with a loss of -0.12% percent or -1.89 point; the Russell 1000 Index closed at 1,490.64 with a loss of -0.11% percent or -1.66  point;