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Gold is poised to test its footing atop the $1,200 mark
Futures on the Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDEXDJX:DJI) are pointed higher this morning, as the blue-chip barometer takes aim at its seventh consecutive weekly win. Today's focus will be trained on this morning's nonfarm payrolls report from the Labor Department. While the economy is expected to have added more than 200,000 jobs last month -- and the unemployment rate to be unchanged -- Wall Street will be keeping a close eye on average hourly wages. This metric, which is considered key in the Federal Reserve's rate-hike timeline, is expected to rise 2.1%. Also on the day's docket are international trade data and factory orders.
And now, on to the numbers...
Futures on the Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDEXDJX:.DJI) are nearly 27 points above fair value.
Market Statistics
The Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE) saw 876,429 call contracts traded Thursday, compared to 579,656 put contracts. The resultant single-session equity put/call ratio rose to 0.66, while the 21-day moving average remained at 0.60.
Currencies and Commodities
- The U.S. dollar index is up 0.2% at 88.85.
- Crude oil is on pace to extend Thursday's losses, down 0.6% at $66.43 per barrel.
- Gold is poised to test its mettle atop the $1,200 mark, and is 0.6% lower at $1,200.20 per ounce.
Earnings and Economic Data
November's nonfarm payrolls report and unemployment figures, the international trade balance, and factory orders close out the week's economic news. Big Lots (BIG) will reveal its earnings.
Overseas Trading
Markets in Asia closed out the week on a strong note, ahead of today's nonfarm payrolls report in the U.S. A 1.4% rise for China's Shanghai Composite and a 0.2% gain for Japan's Nikkei boosted both indexes to fresh multi-year peaks. Elsewhere, Hong Kong's Hang Seng tacked on 0.7%, while South Korea's Kospi edged up 0.01 point to settle at a two-month high.
Across the pond, stocks are gaining ground at midday, amid indications the European Central Bank (ECB) could announce a new round of stimulus measures in early 2015. This speculation is overshadowing a sharply reduced 2015 growth outlook by Germany's Bundesbank, which also cut its forecast for the current year. At last check, the German DAX is up 1.4%, the French CAC 40 is flirting with a 1.3% lead, and London's FTSE 100 is 0.8% higher.
Unusual Put and Call Activity:
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