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Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras will meet with EU officials to talk debt
The Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDEXDJX:DJI) is modestly higher ahead of the bell, still benefiting from yesterday's ceasefire agreement between Russia and Ukraine -- which continues to prop up a rebound in energy prices, as well. Also encouraging a risk-on attitude among investors is news that Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras has agreed to meet with representatives from the troika of international lenders to discuss the nation's debt problems, with government spokesman Gabriel Sakellaridis telling reporters the country will "do whatever we can so that a deal is found on Monday." In addition, traders are digesting positive economic growth results out of the eurozone. Back on the home front, the week's economic calendar closes out with import and export prices, as well as the Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan consumer sentiment survey.
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 1.3 million call contracts traded on Thursday, compared to 720,993 put contracts. The resultant single-session equity put/call ratio dropped to 0.55, while the 21-day moving average edged down to 0.66.
Currencies and Commodities
- The U.S. dollar index is up 0.1% at 94.23.
- Crude oil is 1.3% higher at $52.83 per barrel.
- Meanwhile, gold has tacked on 0.3% to trade at $1,224.60 per ounce.
Earnings and Economic Data
Today's economic calendar includes import and export prices, as well as the Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan consumer sentiment survey. Exelon (EXC), J.M. Smucker (SJM), Red Robin Gourmet (RRGB), and Restaurant Brands International (QSR) will release earnings. To see what's on next week's agenda, click here.
Overseas Trading
Asian benchmarks ended mostly higher, helped by yesterday's news of a ceasefire between Ukraine and separatist rebels, and word that Greece is willing to compromise over its debt situation. China's Shanghai Composite added 1%, led by strength in property developers and financial names. Elsewhere, Hong Kong's Hang Seng and South Korea's Kospi popped 1.1% and 0.8%, respectively. However, Japan's Nikkei slid 0.4% on a stronger yen, which pressured exporters.
European stocks are solidly higher at midday, following a better-than-expected gross domestic product (GDP) reading for the eurozone, and encouraging developments out of Ukraine and Greece. Germany's DAX raced to a record high after the nation's own GDP topped estimates, and was last seen 0.5% higher. Meanwhile, London's FTSE 100 and France's CAC 40 are both up 0.6%.
Unusual Put and Call Activity:
For an explanation of how to use this information, check out our Education Center topics on Option Volume and Open Interest Configurations.