Morning Wire -- US Stock-Index Futures Slightly Higher

US index futures are somewhat higher this morning as talks between Greece and its bondholders are believed to be progressing. Greek bondholders have apparently agreed to a haircut of 65%-70% on existing debt, but are rejecting an IMF call to take a lower coupon on the new bonds. European and Asian markets are both slightly higher this morning as well.

At about 8:30 a.m. ET, Germany’s DAX is up 0.47% at 6,434.28 and France’s CAC 40 is up 0.53%, at 3,338.99. In London, the FTSE 100 is up 0.78%, at 5,772.99.

In Asia, Hong Kong’s exchange was closed Monday. The Nikkei index closed down -0.01%, at 8,765.90, and the Shanghai exchange was closed Monday.

Dow futures are up 0.14%, at 12,672.00. The Nasdaq 100 is up 0.14%, at 2,438.25 and the S&P is up 0.07%, at 1,311.70.

In the currency markets, the US dollar is weaker against the euro and the Japanese yen, and up slightly against the British pound. The US dollar index is down -0.498% at 79.757.

In commodities, WTI and Brent crude are higher this morning, with WTI up 0.96% at $99.27/barrel and Brent up 1.04% at $111.00/barrel. Gold is up 0.67% this morning, at $1,675.10/ounce.

Paul Ausick