OVERNIGHT MARKETS AND NEWS
September E-mini S&Ps (ESU14 +0.21%) this morning are up +0.16% as Q2 stock earnings results continue to surprise on the upside, while European stocks are down -0.36% after German industrial output rose less than expected along with concern the Ukraine conflict and sanctions against Russia will undermine the European economy. Russia’s Micex Stock Index tumbled to a 3-month low as retailers plunged on concern a ban on food imports from sanctioned countries will cut earnings after Russian President Putin ordered restrictions on food and agricultural imports for one year from countries that have imposed or supported sanctions against Russia. Limiting losses in European stocks is the fall in the 10-year German bund yield to a record low 1.078% ahead of today’s ECB meeting. Asian stocks closed mostly lower: Japan +0.48%, Hong Kong -0.80%, China -1.51%, Taiwan -0.14%, Australia -0.05%, Singapore -0.18%, South Korea -0.36%, India -0.30%. Commodity prices are mostly lower. Sep crude oil (CLU14-0.02%) is down -0.33% at a fresh 6-month low. Sep gasoline (RBU14 +0.07%) is down -0.11%. Dec gold (GCZ14 -0.05%) is down -0.09%. Sep copper (HGU14 +0.16%) is up +0.14%. Agriculture and livestock prices are mostly lower with Oct lean hogs down -0.71% at a 3-1/2 month low. The dollar index (DXY00 +0.02%) is up +0.05%. EUR/USD (^EURUSD) is down -0.06%. USD/JPY (^USDJPY) is up +0.20%. Sep T-note prices (ZNU14+0.16%) are up +4.5 ticks on positive carry-over from a rally in German bunds.
German Jun industrial production rose +0.3% m/m and unexpectedly fell -0.5% y/y, weaker than expectations of +1.2% m/m and +0.3% y/y with the-0.5% y/y drop the largest annual decline in 11 months.
As expected, the BOE maintained its benchmark rate at 0.50% and kept its asset purchase target at 375 billion pounds.
U.S. STOCK PREVIEW
Today’s U.S. weekly unemployment claims report should continue to show a slowly-improving layoff picture. Today’s initial unemployment claims report is expected to show a slight +3,000 increase to 305,000 after last week’s +23,000 gain to 302,000.  Today’s June U.S. consumer credit report is expected to show another strong increase of +$18.700 billion, close to May’s increase of +$19.602 billion.
