The U.S. Dollar Index is trading at 96.76  up with +0.15% percent or +0.15 point. The Dow Futures is trading at 21,812.00 up with  +0.52% percent or +112.00 point. The S&P 500 Futures is trading at 2,356.00 up with +0.61% percent or +14.25 point.  The Nasdaq Futures is trading at 5,922.00  up with +0.51% percent or +32.50 point.

TODAY’S FACTORS AND EVENTS

The dollar was down against most of its peers on Wednesday, pressured by a cocktail of negative factors including heightened concerns over a partial U.S. government shutdown and tension between the White House and the Federal Reserve.

Fears of a U.S. and global economic slowdown have sent U.S. 10-year yields tumbling by around 25 basis points in December, adding to the increasing strain on the dollar and further darkening its outlook.

PREVIOUS DAY ACTIVITY

For the day the Dow is trading at 21,792.20  with a loss of  -2.91% percent or -653.17 point. The S&P 500 is trading at 2,351.10 with  a loss of -2.71% percent or -65.52 point. The Nasdaq Composite is trading at 6,192.92  with a loss of -5.14% percent or  -335.49 point.

WORLD MARKETS

Other leading market index closes included the small-cap Russell 2000 Index closed at 1,266.92  with a loss of -1.95% percent or -25.16  point; the S&P 600 Small-Cap Index closed at 793.86 with a loss of -1.95% percent or -15.75  point; the S&P 400 Mid-Cap Index closed at 1,567.40  with a loss of -2.73% percent or -43.95 point; the S&P 100 Index closed at 1,042.77 with  a loss of -2.66% percent or -28.55 point; the Russell 3000 Index closed at 1,380.60  with a loss of -2.64% percent or -37.45 point; the Russell 1000 Index closed at 1,298.02  with a loss of  -2.69% percent or -35.93 point;