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Fed Chair Janet Yellen's Friday comments brought much-needed optimism
The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) is ready to try and make up for last week's losses, with futures pointed sharply higher ahead of the open. The positive starts mirrors the action overseas, as traders around the globe respond favorably to Friday's comments from Fed Chair Janet Yellen, who alluded to a gradual rise in interest rates. Looking ahead, personal income and spending, as well as pending home sales, will hold traders' attention today.
And now, on to the numbers...
Futures on the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) are about 120 points above fair value.
Market Statistics
The Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE) saw 789,359 call contracts traded on Friday, compared to 625,401 put contracts. The resultant single-session equity put/call ratio jumped to 0.79, while the 21-day moving average held at 0.66.
Currencies and Commodities
- The U.S. dollar index is up 0.7% at 97.93.
- Crude oil has fallen 1.3% at $48.25 per barrel.
- Gold is off 1.5% at $1,182.70 per ounce.
Earnings and Economic Data
Today, we'll see data on personal income and spending, along with pending home sales and the Dallas Fed manufacturing survey. Fed Vice Chair Stanley Fischer will give a speech, too. Cal-Maine Foods (CALM) and UTi Worldwide (UTIW) will present earnings. To see what else is on this week's agenda, click here.
Overseas Trading
Asian indexes ended higher on Monday. In China, the Shanghai Composite added 2.6% to land a seven-year peak, as comments from People's Bank of China Governor Zhou Xiaochuan sparked expectations for further stimulus. Hitting a four-week high was Hong Kong's Hang Seng, which closed 1.5% higher, with Japan's Nikkei and South Korea's Kospi tacking on 0.7% and 0.5%, respectively.
Major European bourses, too, were black across the board at last check. Leading the way is the German DAX with a 1.4% lead, followed by France's CAC 40, which is 1.1% higher. In London, the FTSE 100 is up 0.4% at last check.
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.