Nasdaq
Nasdaq futures point to a positive start as the contracts are trading 0.32% higher at 8,875 as the Middle East tensions ease. I expect that the volatility in the markets will continue as Iran threatens for retaliation. Nasdaq yesterday closed up 0.56% at 9,071.
Traders will focus today on the U.S. trade balance data for November due at 13:30GMT. The final reading of November durable goods orders and the ISM non-manufacturing index for December due at 15:00GMT.
The Dow Jones futures are 0.08% lower at 28,665. The S&P 500 futures are 0.07% higher at 3,245. The upcoming signing ceremony of the Phase One deal, in Washington on January 15th boosts investors sentiment.
European indices trade higher midday as traders return to risky assets. Earlier today the Eurozone CPI came in at +1.3% in November in line with forecasts. The European Monetary Union Retail Sales (MoM) came in at 1%, topping forecasts of 0.6% in November, the yearly reading came in at 2.2%, also above the expectations of 1.3%.
Read our Best Trading Ideas for 2020.
The DAX Index is 0.82% higher at 13,235. The CAC 40 is 0.34% higher at 6,033 while the FTSE MIB adds 0.57% at 23,715. In London the FTSE 100 is 0.23% higher at 7,593.
Asian indices ended the session higher. The Nikkei 225 in Tokyo finished 1.60% higher at 23,575. The Hang Seng finished 0.34% higher at 28,322, while the Shangai Composite index finished 0.69% higher at 3,104. In Singapore the FTSE closed up 0.90% at 3,247.
In crypto-currencies, bitcoin is 1.07% higher at $7,840 but earlier touched the 8,000 mark. The Ripple is 5.99% lower at 0.2100. Ethereum is also under pressure giving up 2.60% at $140.61.
Gold consolidate close to recent highs and trades 0.03% higher at 1,565. Crude oil prices retreat from 9-Month highs giving up 0.76% at 62.79.