![]()
A skeptical note from Goldman Sachs is weighing on oil futures
The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) is primed to build on yesterday's positive momentum -- following its overseas peers into the black -- as it seeks a third consecutive daily win. Traders have one eye trained on crude -- which surged on Monday, but has given back ground after skeptical comments from Goldman Sachs -- and are also looking ahead to tomorrow's release of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting minutes, as well as the unofficial start to earnings season. Among specific equities, Informatica Corporation (NASDAQ:INFA) is surging ahead of the bell, after agreeing to be taken private by a consortium of private-equity investors for $5.3 billion.
And now, on to the numbers...
Futures on the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) are about 49 points above fair value.
Market Statistics
The Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE) saw 773,281 call contracts traded on Monday, compared to 383,367 put contracts. The resultant single-session equity put/call ratio plunged to 0.50, while the 21-day moving average edged down to 0.66.
Currencies and Commodities
- The U.S. dollar index is up 0.7% to 97.45.
- Crude oil has given back 0.8% to trade at $51.73 per barrel.
- Gold is down 0.5% at $1,212.00 per ounce.
Earnings and Economic Data
The Labor Department's Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) comes out today, while Minneapolis Fed President Narayana Kocherlakota is slated to give a speech in North Dakota. Dave & Buster's (PLAY), Greenbrier (GBX), and Schnitzer Steel (SCHN) are scheduled to report earnings. To see what else is on this week's agenda, click here.
Overseas Trading
Asian markets finished higher amid a raft of central bank developments. Specifically, the central banks of Australia and India each left interest rates as-is, while the Bank of Japan -- which is expected to maintain its accommodative stance -- commenced its two-day meeting. By day's end, China's Shanghai Composite was the biggest gainer -- up 2.5% to seven-year-high territory. Elsewhere, Japan's Nikkei added 1.3%, and South Korea's Kospi inched 0.03% higher. Markets in Hong Kong remain closed for holiday.
European bourses resumed trading today after a long Easter weekend, and are solidly higher as U.S. rate-hike fears recede. Also contributing to optimism is M&A activity, including FedEx Corporation's (NYSE:FDX) offer to buy Netherlands-based TNT Express -- sending shares of the latter 30% higher. At last check, London's FTSE 100 is up 1.5%, France's CAC 40 is 1.6% higher, and the German DAX has tacked on 1.1%.
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.