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The Dow is ready to give back some of yesterday's big gains
U.S. stocks are prepared to backpedal after yesterday's triple-digit victory. Futures on the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) are signaling a sizable dip, as traders take their cues from bearish action overseas on the last day of the first quarter -- putting the blue-chip index's slim quarterly gains at risk. A number of key economic indicators make up today's schedule, with the S&P/Case-Shiller home price index, Chicago purchasing managers index (PMI), and consumer confidence all slated for release. Additionally, no fewer than three regional Fed presidents are slated to deliver speeches today, which investors will watch carefully for clues of future policy moves.
And now, on to the numbers...
Futures on the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) are roughly 96 points below fair value.
Market Statistics
The Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE) saw 794,197 call contracts traded on Monday, compared to 419,926 put contracts. The resultant single-session equity put/call ratio plummeted to 0.53, while the 21-day moving average dropped to 0.65.
Currencies and Commodities
- The U.S. dollar index is up 0.5% at 98.47.
- Crude oil is down 2.2% at $47.61 per barrel.
- Gold is off 0.1% at $1,184.10 per ounce.
Earnings and Economic Data
The S&P/Case-Shiller home price index is due out today, plus the Chicago PMI, and Conference Board's latest consumer confidence index. There will also be speeches from Cleveland Fed President Loretta Mester, Kansas City Fed President Esther George, and Richmond Fed President Jeffrey Lacker. Conn's (CONN) and Real Goods Solar (RGSE) will release earnings reports. To see what else is on this week's agenda, click here.
Overseas Trading
Asian equities were mixed after yesterday's surge, with some traders taking profits off the table. China's Shanghai Composite and Japan's Nikkei each pulled back 1%, with South Korea's Kospi and Hong Kong's Hang Seng gaining 0.5% and 0.2%, respectively.
In Europe, stocks are tumbling, with indexes lower across the board after a round of economic data -- including a slower pace of deflation in March, which raised questions as to whether the central bank will stay the course with its long-term stimulus plans. London's FTSE 100 is pacing the losers with a 1.2% decline, with Germany's DAX falling 0.9% and France's CAC 40 losing 0.7%.
Unusual Put and Call Activity:
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