The U.S. Dollar Index is trading at 98.62 up with +0.29%  percent or +0.29 point. The Dow Futures is trading at 26,770.50  with  a loss of -0.18% percent or -47.50 point. The S&P 500 Futures is trading at 2,963.62  with a loss of  -0.22% percent or -6.63 point.  The Nasdaq Futures is trading at 7,706.50  with a loss of  -0.37% percent or -28.75 point.

TODAY’S FACTORS AND EVENTS

The dollar steadied in Asian trade on Wednesday but remained on the defensive after the launch of a formal impeachment inquiry against President Donald Trump, while the political uncertainty added to worries about economies strained by the Sino-U.S. trade row.

Following reports Trump sought foreign help to smear Democratic presidential front-runner Joe Biden, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced the House would initiate a formal inquiry, saying Trump appeared to have undermined national security and violated the U.S. Constitution.

PREVIOUS DAY ACTIVITY

For the day the Dow is trading at 26,807.77 with a loss of  –0.53% percent or –142.22  point. The S&P 500 is trading at 2,966.60  with a loss of –0.84% percent or  -25.18 point. The Nasdaq Composite is trading at 7,993.63  with a loss of  -1.46% percent or  -118.83 point.

WORLD MARKETS

Other leading market index closes included the small-cap Russell 2000 Index closed at 1,533.59 with a loss of  –  percent or –24.66 point; the S&P 600 Small-Cap Index closed at 950.06  with a loss of – percent or –12.38 point; the S&P 400 Mid-Cap Index closed at 1,925.68  with a loss of – percent or –22.15 point; the S&P 100 Index closed at 1,308.76 with a loss of  – percent or −12.45 point; the Russell 3000 Index closed at 1,738.68 with a loss of  – percent or 16.54 point; the Russell 1000 Index closed at 1,639.36  with a loss of – or   –14.83 point.