Morning Wire -- US Stock-Index Futures Rise on Chinese Statement

US index futures are getting a boost this morning following some encouraging words from China’s central bank. The governor of the People’s Bank of China assured investors that the country will continue to European sovereign debt and will take part in a resolution of the crisis in the Eurozone. In Europe, Greece has agreed to put into writing its decision to abide by the strict austerity measures demanded by Germany and other Eurozone members in exchange for a second bailout package for the country. Eurozone GDP contracted 0.3% in the fourth quarter, better than the expected contraction of 0.4%.

At about 8:15 a.m. ET, Germany’s DAX is up 1.22% at 6,810.33 and France’s CAC 40 is up 1.07%, at 3,411.60. In London, the FTSE 100 is up 0.22%, at 5,912.75.

In Asia, the Hang Seng index closed up 2.14%, at 21,365.20 and the Nikkei index closed up 2.30%, at 9,260.34. The Shanghai exchange closed up 0.94%, at 2,366.70.

Dow futures are up 0.55%, at 12,910.00. The Nasdaq 100 is up 0.59%, at 2,591.25 and the S&P is up 0.59%, at 1,355.60.

In the currency markets, the US dollar is stronger against the euro and the Japanese yen, but weaker against the British pound. The US dollar index is up 0.04% at 79.419.

In commodities, WTI and Brent crude are higher this morning, with WTI up 1.15% at $101.90/barrel and Brent is up 1.48% at $119.09/barrel. Gold is up 0.72% this morning, at $1,730.00/ounce.

Paul Ausick