The U.S. Dollar Index is trading at 95.50 with a loss of -0.06% percent or -0.05 point. The Dow Futures is trading at 24,985.50 up with +0.04% percent or +9.50 point. The S&P 500 Futures is trading at 2,702.12 with a loss of -0.09% percent or -2.38 point. The Nasdaq Futures is trading at 6,882.00 with a loss of -0.47% percent or -32.75 point.
TODAY’S FACTORS AND EVENTS
The offshore yuan was headed for its worst daily decline in over five months on Friday after weak economic data out of China damaged risk sentiment and weighed on the Australian dollar.
China’s gloomy factory readings have brought global growth worries to the fore again, which is likely to benefit safe-haven currencies such as the Japanese yen.
“February is starting with a slew of weak manufacturing data across China-sensitive parts of Asia… it’s a reminder that the risk rally in emerging market currencies, and generally, is built on wobbly foundations,” said Societe Generale strategist Kit Juckes. “I expect a risk averse morning and a data-driven afternoon.”
PREVIOUS DAY ACTIVITY
For the day the Dow is trading at 24,999.67 with a loss of -0.061% percent or -15.19 point. The S&P 500 is trading at 2,704.10 up with +0.86% percent or +23.05 point. The Nasdaq Composite is trading at 7,281.74 up with +1.37% percent or +98.66 point.
WORLD MARKETS
Other leading market index closes included the small-cap Russell 2000 Index closed at 1,499.42 up with +0.84% percent or +12.48 point; the S&P 600 Small-Cap Index closed at 934.12 up with +0.85% percent or +7.83 point; the S&P 400 Mid-Cap Index closed at 1,835.39 up with +0.45% percent or +8.18 point; the S&P 100 Index closed at 1,191.68 up with +0.94% percent or +11.12 point; the Russell 3000 Index closed at 1,596.54 up with +0.85% percent or +13.50 point; the Russell 1000 Index closed at 1,596.54 up with +0.85% percent or +13.50 point