The U.S. Dollar Index is trading at 98.01  up with 0.02% percent or +0.01  point. The Dow Futures is trading at 27,792.00 up with +0.16% percent or +44.00 point. The S&P 500 Futures is trading at 3,108.88 up with +0.16% percent or +4.88 point.  The Nasdaq Futures is trading at 8,296.12 up with  +0.26% percent or +21.62 point.

TODAY’S FACTORS AND EVENTS

The dollar was marginally down on Friday and risk appetite boosted by statements from China on the need to find a solution to the tit-for-tat tariff war with the United States, raising hopes that a “phase one” deal could be reached.

Chinese President Xi Jinping said Beijing wants to work out a deal with Washington and has been trying to avoid a trade war – but is not afraid to retaliate when necessary.

PREVIOUS DAY ACTIVITY

For the day the Dow is trading at 27,766.29  with a loss of –0.20% percent or –54.80 point. The S&P 500 is trading at 3,103.54 with a loss of –0.16% percent or –4.92 point. The Nasdaq Composite is trading at 8,506.21  with a loss of –0.24% percent or –20.52 point.

WORLD MARKETS

Other leading market index closes included the small-cap Russell 2000 Index closed at 1,583.96  with a loss of –0.48% percent or -7.65 point; the S&P 600 Small-Cap Index closed at 969.46 with a loss of –0.47% percent or -4.57 point; the S&P 400 Mid-Cap Index closed at 1,980.44 with a loss of  –0.69% percent or -13.73  point; the S&P 100 Index closed at 1,381.29 with  a loss of –0.052% percent or -0.72 point; the Russell 3000 Index closed at 1,817.88  with a loss of –0.21% percent or -3.87 point; the Russell 1000 Index closed at 1,715.50 with a loss of –0.19%  or -3.33  point.