Morning Wire — US Stock-Index Futures Slightly Higher

US index futures are slightly higher this morning while European and Asian markets are mixed. The US GDP report is due out this morning, and expectations are calling for growth of 3%. There is still no final agreement on a Greek debt deal, but the chatter is that progress is being made and a deal will be struck in the next few days. Early morning earnings reports have not buoyed traders’ hopes for a big day.

At about 8:15 a.m. ET, Germany’s DAX is up 0.20% at 6,552.70 and France’s CAC 40 is down -0.40%, at 3,349.71. In London, the FTSE 100 is down -0.36%, at 5,774.22.

In Asia, the Hang Seng index closed up 0.31%, at 20,501.70 and the Nikkei index closed down -0.09%, at 8,841.22. The Shanghai exchange remains closed for the lunar new year holiday.

Dow futures are up 0.16%, at 12,704.00. The Nasdaq 100 is up 0.29%, at 2,460.25 and the S&P is up 0.11%, at 1,316.80.

In the currency markets, the US dollar is weaker against the British pound, the euro and the Japanese yen. The US dollar index is down -0.270% at 79.183.

In commodities, WTI and Brent crude are higher this morning, with WTI up 0.45% at $100.15/barrel and Brent is up 0.36% at $111.19/barrel. Gold is down -0.15% this morning, at $1,727.30/ounce.

Paul Ausick