The U.S. Dollar Index is trading at 99.45 up with +0.01% percent or +0.01 point.The Dow Futures is trading at 29,286.50 up with +0.26% percent or +75.50 point. The S&P 500 Futures is trading at 3,377.12 up with +0.23% percent or +7.87 point.The Nasdaq Futures is trading at 9,669.88 up with +0.35% percent or +33.88 point.
TODAY’S FACTORS AND EVENTS
The safe-haven yen eased slightly on Wednesday amid signs China was looking to fend off economic threats from the coronavirus, which supported investor confidence as the outbreak’s spread appeared to slow.
China posted the lowest daily rise in new infections since Jan. 29, seen by some investors as an indication containment efforts were working.
Meanwhile, a Bloomberg report, citing sources, that China is considering cash injections or mergers to bail out airlines hit by the virus also supported appetite for risk.
That pushed the yen to the weaker side of 110-per-dollar and gave a little boost to Asia’s export currencies.
China’s yuan remained on the backfoot, however, touching a two-week low after the central bank fixed a softer-than-expected trading band, and as investors expected further monetary easing.
PREVIOUS DAY ACTIVITY
For the day the Dow is trading at 29,232.19 with a loss of –0.56% percent or –165.89 point. The S&P 500 is trading at 3,370.29 with a loss of –0.29% percent or –9.87 point. The Nasdaq Composite is trading at 9,732.74 up with +0.016% percent or +1.57 point.
WORLD MARKETS
Other leading market index closes included the small-cap Russell 2000 Index closed at 1,683.52 up with -0.24% percent or -4.06 point; the S&P 600 Small-Cap Index closed at 1,012.67 with a loss of –0.55% percent or -5.60 point; the S&P 400 Mid-Cap Index closed at 2,089.19 with a loss of –0.35% percent or -7.42 point; the S&P 100 Index closed at 1,511.12 with a loss of –0.29% percent or -4.41 point; the Russell 3000 Index closed at 1,974.66 with a loss of –0.25% percent or -4.86 point; the Russell 1000 Index closed at 1,866.24 with a loss of –0.25% or -4.59 point.