OVERNIGHT MARKETS AND NEWS
December E-mini S&Ps (ESZ14 +1.43%) this morning are up +1.30% and European stocks are up +1.53% as Italian and Spanish government bonds gained on the prospects of additional ECB stimulus. ECB Executive Board member Coeure said the central bank will start “within the next days” to purchase assets in the new program to support the economy. A rally in European automakers also supported stock gains after Eurozone car sales last month rose by the most in 6 months. Asian stocks closed mixed: Japan -1.40%, Hong Kong +0.53%, China -0.11%, Taiwan -1.40%, Australia +0.32%, Singapore +0.43%, South Korea -1.22%, India +0.42%. China’s Shanghai Stock Index fell to a 3-week low on speculation that a trading link that would allow the equivalent of $1.7 billion in daily net purchases of Hong Kong shares and $2.1 billion for Shanghai stocks will be delayed. Japan’s Nikkei Stock Index fell to a 4-1/2 month low as exporters weakened on concern a global economic slowdown will reduce exporters’ profits. Commodity prices are mixed. Nov crude oil (CLX14 +1.54%) is up +1.75%. Nov gasoline (RBX14 +1.02%) is up +1.09%. Dec gold (GCZ14 -0.31%) is down -0.34%. Dec copper (HGZ14 +0.13%) is down -0.27% at a fresh 7-month low on signs of increased supplies after weekly Shanghai copper inventories surged +14,465 MT to a 2-1/4 month high of 97,235 MT. Agriculture and livestock prices are mixed with Dec hogs down -1.02% at an 8-month nearest-futures low on demand concerns. The dollar index (DXY00 -0.12%) is down -0.07%. EUR/USD (^EURUSD) is up +0.05%. USD/JPY (^USDJPY) is up +0.20%. Dec T-note prices (ZNZ14 -0.24%) are down -13.5 ticks as a rally in U.S. and European stocks reduces the safe-haven demand for T-notes.
Eurozone Aug construction output rose +1.5% m/m, the biggest increase in 8 months. On an annual basis, Aug construction output fell -0.3% y/y.
