The U.S. Dollar Index is trading at 97.64 up with  +0.05% percent or +0.05 point. The Dow Futures is trading at 25,846.50  with a loss of -0.64% percent or -167.50 point. The S&P 500 Futures is trading at 2,868.12  with a loss of -0.66% percent or -19.13 point.  The Nasdaq Futures is trading at 7,585.88 with a loss of -0.81% percent or -61.62 point.

TODAY’S FACTORS AND EVENTS

The Japanese yen surged to a three-month high against the dollar on Thursday as investors sought out the safe-haven currency, fearing the U.S.-China trade conflict will escalate.

Two days of trade talks begin in Washington on Thursday, and traders are waiting to see whether Chinese and U.S. negotiators can salvage a deal to prevent more U.S. tariff increases.

Currency moves this week in response to the latest trade hostilities have been fairly muted, but Thursday’s jump in the yen — which tends to attract demand in times of strife — suggested investor nerves are fraying.

PREVIOUS DAY ACTIVITY

For the day the Dow is trading at 25,965.09 with a loss of -1.79% percent or -473.39  point. The S&P 500 is trading at 2,884.05 with a loss of -1.65% percent or -48.42 point. The Nasdaq Composite is trading at 7,963.76  wilth  a loss of -1.96% percent or -159.53 point.

WORLD MARKETS

Other leading market index closes included the small-cap Russell 2000 Index closed at 1,574.97 with a loss of -0.46% percent or -7.34 point; the S&P 600 Small-Cap Index closed at 963.63 with a loss of -0.76% percent or −7.39 point; the S&P 400 Mid-Cap Index closed at 1,932.14  with a loss of -0.33% percent or -6.48 point; the S&P 100 Index closed at 1,276.40  with a loss of -0.18% percent or -2.36 point; the Russell 3000 Index closed at 1,698.73  with a loss of -0.18% percent or -3.10 point; the Russell 1000 Index closed at 1,595.83   with a loss of -0.16% or -2.56 point.