The U.S. Dollar Index is trading at 96.67 up with +0.29% percent or +0.28 point.The Dow Futures is trading at 28,674.50 up with +0.58% percent or +166.50 point. The S&P 500 Futures is trading at 3,249.62 up with +0.58% percent or +18.62 point.The Nasdaq Futures is trading at 8,815.12 up with +0.72%% percent or +62.87 point.

TODAY’S FACTORS AND EVENTS

The dollar index was down 0.36% to 96.388, its fourth consecutive session in the red and its weakest level since July 1. The Phase 1 trade agreement, which was reached earlier in December, has reduced demand for the safe-haven currency, pulling the dollar down 1.92% in the last month.

December’s move has undone much of the dollar’s strong 2019 thanks to the relative outperformance of the U.S. economy and a long period of uncertainty in the negotiations between Washington and Beijing.

“Weakness in the U.S. dollar towards the end of this year has coincided with the renewed expansion of the Fed’s balance sheet and the paring back of pessimism over the outlook for global growth,”

PREVIOUS DAY ACTIVITY

For the day the Dow is trading at 28,538.44  with a loss of –0.37% percent or –106.82 point. The S&P 500 is trading at 3,230.78 up with +0.29% percent or +9.49 point. The Nasdaq Composite is trading at 8,972.60 up with +0.30% percent or +26.61  point.

WORLD MARKETS

Other leading market index closes included the small-cap Russell 2000 Index closed at 1,668.47 up with +0.26%  percent or +4.32 point; the S&P 600 Small-Cap Index closed at 1,021.18  up with +0.31% percent or +3.16 point; the S&P 400 Mid-Cap Index closed at 2,063.02  up with +0.11% percent or +2.30   point; the S&P 100 Index closed at 1,442.17 up with +0.28% percent or +4.03 point; the Russell 3000 Index closed at 1,892.25  up with +0.30% percent or +5.59 point; the Russell 1000 Index closed at 1,784.21 up with +0.30% or +5.31 point.