The U.S. Dollar Index is trading at 97.50 up with +0.09% percent or +0.09 point. The Dow Futures is trading at 27,887.50 with a loss of -0.12% percent or -33.50 point. The S&P 500 Futures is trading at 3,134.12 with a loss of -0.06% percent or -1.88 point. The Nasdaq Futures is trading at 8,365.38 with +0.02% percent or +1.63 point.
TODAY’S FACTORS AND EVENTS
The British pound slipped early on Wednesday after a poll showed a narrowing lead for Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s Conservative Party in an election scheduled for later in the week, while U.S. dollar movement looked to the Federal Reserve’s policy meeting.
Investors were also focusing on whether U.S. President Donald Trump will impose tariffs on nearly $160 billion worth of Chinese consumer goods from Dec. 15.
Investors have generally believed the U.S. tariffs would be at least postponed to salvage a trade deal with China.
“It is calmness before storm. Markets have long believed the additional tariffs will be avoided,” said Ayako Sera, market economist at Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank.
PREVIOUS DAY ACTIVITY
For the day the Dow is trading at 27,881.72 with a loss of –0.100% percent or –27.88 point. The S&P 500 is trading at 3,132.52 with a loss of –0.11% percent or –3.44 point. The Nasdaq Composite is trading at 8,616.18 with a loss of –0.065% percent or –5.64 point.
WORLD MARKETS
Other leading market index closes included the small-cap Russell 2000 Index closed at 1,631.71 up with +0.13% percent or +2.10 point; the S&P 600 Small-Cap Index closed at 998.87 with a loss of –0.019% percent or −0.19 point; the S&P 400 Mid-Cap Index closed at 2,011.75 with a loss of –0.086% percent or -1.73 point; the S&P 100 Index closed at 1,396.76 with a loss of –0.11% percent or −1.58 point; the Russell 3000 Index closed at 1,836.73 with a loss of –0.10% percent or -1.84 point; the Russell 1000 Index closed at 1,730.94 with a loss of –0.12% or -2.02 point.