Futures mixed as Europe, Asia rally
Evan McDaniel | evan.mcdaniel@optionmonster.com
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U.S. equity indexes are pointing toward a mixed open after rallying strongly at the end of last week amid speculation over Fed and Eurozone stimulus moves.
S&P 500 futures are down 3.25 points, or 0.25 percent, to 1379 this morning. Nasdaq 100 contracts are flat at 2642 at the time of this writing.
European markets are rallying despite weakness in the euro. The Euro STOXX 50 is positive by 0.95 percent and the German DAX by 0.76 percent. The euro/dollar is down 0.38 percent to 1.227 but still above historical support of 1.225.
The dollar's relative strength has sent crude futures down 0.23 cents, or 0.26 percent, to 89.89 after oil traded as high as 90.95 last night. Copper prices are lower by 0.31 percent to 3.4155, while spot gold prices are off fractionally to 1621.50.
Asian indexes closed mostly higher, with Hong Kong's Hang Seng rallying 1.61 percent after its largest bank, Hang Seng Bank, beat earnings expectations. Japan's Nikkei 225 gained 0.8 percent as traders looked past weak industrial numbers in that country.
In stock-specific news, metallurgical coal names are higher this morning, led by a 7 percent rise in Arch Coal.
Shaw Group is soaring more than 64 percent on a $3 billion buyout offer from Chicago Bridge & Iron.
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