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Reports of a possible Ebola infection in Tokyo are dominating headlines
The Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDEXDJX:DJI) is positioned to open slightly lower, amid concerns over Greece's presidential election. Specifically, the European nation failed to identify a new head of state during third-round elections, pressuring the country's benchmark index nearly 11% south of breakeven at its intraday low. This pre-market action threatens to snap the Dow's seven-session win streak. Looking ahead, trading should continue to be light throughout this holiday-shortened week, with little in the way of earnings or economic data. Today, however, the Dallas Fed manufacturing survey is due out at 10:30 a.m. ET.
And now, on to the numbers...
Futures on the Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDEXDJX:.DJI) are nearly 23 points below fair value.
Market Statistics
The Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE) saw 764,179 call contracts traded on Friday, compared to 421,432 put contracts. The resultant single-session equity put/call ratio fell to 0.55, while the 21-day moving average edged down to 0.64.
Currencies and Commodities
- The U.S. dollar index is down 0.1% at 89.95.
- Crude oil has jumped 1.3% at $55.42 per barrel.
- Gold has slipped 0.3% at $1,192.20 per ounce.
Earnings and Economic Data
New Year's week kicks off with the Dallas Fed manufacturing survey. There are no notable earnings on tap.
Overseas Trading
Asian stocks ended mixed, with a possible Ebola infection in Tokyo dominating headlines. As a result, Japan's Nikkei -- which gained earlier in the session on an approved $29 billion stimulus package -- closed 0.5% lower. Elsewhere, China's Shanghai Composite gained 0.4% and hit a four-year intraday high, amid a rule change for loan-to-deposit ratios from the People's Bank of China. Meanwhile, Hong Kong's Hang Seng popped 1.8%, and South Korea's Kospi dropped 1%.
European bourses are mostly lower, as political uncertainty surrounding Greece's presidential election weighs on sentiment. France's CAC 40 and Germany's DAX are off 0.4% and 0.7%, respectively, while London's FTSE 100 is up a modest 0.2%.
Unusual Put and Call Activity:
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