http://www.rttnews.comGlobal financial news, market analysis, economics and forex newsen-usSat, 21 Nov 2009 12:20:01 GMTThe major index futures are currently indicating a notably lower open for stocks on Friday, with the markets likely to see some further downside after closing lower in each of the two previous sessions. With no major economic data on tap for the day, traders have looked to corporate news, including disappointing quarterly results from Dell (DELL). Traders may continue to cash in on the recent strength in the markets.http://www.rttnews.com/ArticleView.aspx?Id=1136443Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:57:26 GMTThe major U.S. index futures are pointing to a moderately lower opening on Thursday, with stocks likely to see some further downside after ending the previous session modestly lower. The downward momentum for the markets is partly due to the release of a report showing that jobless claims were unchanged last week, hovering above the 500,000 level and pointing to continued weakness in the labor market. Traders may look to cash in on the strong gains posted in recent sessions.http://www.rttnews.com/ArticleView.aspx?Id=1135182Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:04:25 GMTThe major U.S. index futures are pointing to a roughly flat open on Wednesday, as traders digest the latest batch of economic data. While a report from the Commerce Department showed an unexpected decrease in housing starts, analysts have pointed out that the drop came at a time when homebuilders where still facing an imminent expiration of the first-time home buyers tax credit. A separate report from the Labor Department showed a slightly bigger than expected increase in consumer prices.http://www.rttnews.com/ArticleView.aspx?Id=1133728Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:07:00 GMTAfter showing a strong upward move in the previous session, stocks may give back some ground in early trading on Tuesday, with the major index futures currently indicating a modestly lower open. The downward momentum for the markets comes as traders are likely to cash in on the recent strength in the markets, which have risen to their best levels in over a year. Some strength in the value of the U.S. dollar may also put pressure on stocks.http://www.rttnews.com/ArticleView.aspx?Id=1132222Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:06:23 GMTThe major U.S. index futures are pointing to a higher opening on Monday, with traders reacting positively to the latest report on retail sales. While the report showed stronger than expected sales growth, however, the increase followed a significant decrease in the previous month and was largely due to a jump in auto sales. Later in the day, trading is likely to be impacted by reaction to remarks from Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke.http://www.rttnews.com/ArticleView.aspx?Id=1130549Mon, 16 Nov 2009 13:05:35 GMTThe major U.S. index futures are pointing to a higher opening on Friday, with the M&A announcements creating some optimism concerning the economic outlook. Additionally, the emergence of many of the European economies out of recession should also lend support to the recovery theme. That said, underlying skepticism is likely to manifest itself and prevent and any meaningful move to the upside. With the major averages trading below key technical levels, there is likely to be resistance.http://www.rttnews.com/ArticleView.aspx?Id=1129121Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:26:37 GMTThe major U.S. index futures are pointing to a lower opening on Thursday, with the weakness reflecting doubts over whether recovery expectations discounted by the markets are overly optimistic. Nevertheless, the markets may express some relief over the weekly jobless claims number that showed a decline in the recent reporting week. Some degree of comfort may also be expressed over M&A deal announcements. Nevertheless, traders may fear to increase holdings amid overbought market conditions.http://www.rttnews.com/ArticleView.aspx?Id=1127505Thu, 12 Nov 2009 13:22:18 GMTThe major U.S. index futures are pointing to a higher opening on Wednesday. Although apprehension is expressed about the sustainability of the recovery, positive data points received now and then are spreading optimism concerning a turnaround in economic conditions for good. Earlier in the day, economic reports released from China and Japan showed that resuscitation measures have positioned these economies on a path of sustainable recovery.http://www.rttnews.com/ArticleView.aspx?Id=1125940Wed, 11 Nov 2009 13:13:23 GMTThe major U.S. index futures are pointing to a lower opening on Tuesday. Although no data that could alter the fundamental picture is scheduled to be released, sentiment is likely to remain subdued due to the solid gains posted in the previous session. Traders could use some of the negative earnings report and insipid guidance as reasons to take profits. That said, commodity prices are holding up and if the gains are sustained throughout the session, the commodity space may see some strength.http://www.rttnews.com/ArticleView.aspx?Id=1124287Tue, 10 Nov 2009 13:12:50 GMTThe major U.S. index futures are pointing to a higher opening on Monday, with the sentiment reflecting optimism that was evident in the rest of the global markets. In reaction to G20 finance's ministers' declaration that stimulus measures won't be removed anytime soon-a proposition, which will nurture the nascent recovery, commodities are rallying. Stocks are also likely to savor the announcement, although a lack of major catalysts could lead to some indecision.http://www.rttnews.com/ArticleView.aspx?Id=1122457Mon, 09 Nov 2009 13:19:34 GMTThe major U.S. index futures are pointing to a lower opening on Friday, with futures turning lower following the release of the jobs report for October, which showed a spike in the jobless rate above the 10% level to a 26-year high. At the same time, job losses, though slowing down from the previous month's pace, did not slowdown by as much as the economists had expected. The report is likely to lead to some selling in the markets following yesterday's sharp rally.http://www.rttnews.com/ArticleView.aspx?Id=1120850Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:02:40 GMTThe major U.S. index futures are pointing to a higher opening on Thursday, with sentiment improving following the release of a couple of economic reports that temporarily allayed recovery concerns. Weekly jobless claims fell by much more than economists had expected in the recent reporting week, while non-farm productivity rose by the most in about 5 years. In reaction to these data, commodity prices have firmed up.http://www.rttnews.com/ArticleView.aspx?Id=1119173Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:11:40 GMTThe major U.S. index futures are pointing to a higher opening on Wednesday following lackluster performance in the previous session. The global markets rallied, as positive data points, including an upward revision to China's GDP growth forecast by the World Bank, encouraged market participants, temporarily alleviating economic worries. That said, a private employment report released earlier in the day showed continuing turmoil in the job market.http://www.rttnews.com/ArticleView.aspx?Id=1117088Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:12:31 GMTThe major U.S. index futures are pointing to a lower opening on Tuesday, with the futures trimming their losses following the trickling in of deal news. However, traders are likely to tread a cautious line, as they await the outcome of the FOMC rate setting meeting and the release of employment data. Earnings news of the day has been mixed and the prices of commodities are showing mixed trend, although oil may see volatility amid the release of the weekly oil inventory report.http://www.rttnews.com/ArticleView.aspx?Id=1115155Tue, 03 Nov 2009 13:06:32 GMTThe major U.S. index futures are pointing to a higher opening on Monday. Although the higher futures reflect the anxiety of traders to make an entry at levels that could earn them profits, especially after the recent retreat, uncertainty over the sustainability of the recovery should keep sentiment subdued. The fears are likely to be accentuated by the bankruptcy filing by lender CIT Group (CIT). Earnings news released thus far during the day were bordering on the positive.http://www.rttnews.com/ArticleView.aspx?Id=1113586Mon, 02 Nov 2009 13:10:53 GMTThe major U.S. index futures are pointing to a lower opening on Friday. After a robust GDP report catalyzed a strong upward move on Wall Street on Thursday, some traders may be looking to take some money off the tables for want of more evidence on how the economy is faring. Earlier in the day, the Commerce Department said consumer spending, the lynchpin component of GDP, which showed resurgence in the third quarter on the artificial boost provided by the government, declined in September.http://www.rttnews.com/ArticleView.aspx?Id=1112147Fri, 30 Oct 2009 13:13:48 GMTThe major U.S. index futures are pointing to a higher opening on Thursday, with sentiment improving further following the release of the third quarter GDP report that showed bigger than expected GDP growth. Against this backdrop, commodity prices have turned higher. Aiding a temporary reprieve may be earnings from some major companies such as Motorola (MOT) and Procter-Gamble (PG).http://www.rttnews.com/ArticleView.aspx?Id=1110172Thu, 29 Oct 2009 13:07:06 GMTThe major U.S. index futures are pointing to a lower opening on Wednesday, with sentiment largely reflecting the skepticism of traders over a sustained recovery. The skepticism gained momentum following the release of a bleak consumer confidence reading yesterday. However, a report released earlier in the day showed an increase in durable goods orders, in line with expectations. A key gauge of capital spending also showed an increase.http://www.rttnews.com/ArticleView.aspx?Id=1108256Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:13:29 GMTThe major U.S. index futures are pointing to a mixed opening on Tuesday, with sentiment expected to seesaw between optimism over a recovery underway and pessimism stemming from the fact that the recovery may be long drawn out and painful. Given the fact that S&P has broken a short-term uptrend, any negative tidings could drag it further lower. The markets may closely watch the results of the Conference Board's consumer confidence survey.http://www.rttnews.com/ArticleView.aspx?Id=1106377Tue, 27 Oct 2009 13:19:09 GMTThe major U.S. index futures are pointing to a modestly higher opening on Monday, with the major averages poised to rebounding from the previous session's slide. In the absence of economic data to digest, the markets may focus on earnings, which have so far been bordering on the positive. Commodity prices are pulling back slightly, reflecting apprehension among traders against the backdrop of their recent run up.http://www.rttnews.com/ArticleView.aspx?Id=1104622Mon, 26 Oct 2009 13:15:00 GMTThe major U.S. index futures are pointing to a higher opening on Friday, with positive earnings by bellwether companies such as Microsoft (MSFT) and Amazon (AMZN) lending support to recovery hopes. That said, sentiment largely depends on the existing home sales report to be released shortly after the markets open, especially after recent housing data relayed mixed messages. At the same time, the economic picture was blurred further after the U.K. economy contracted in the third quarter.http://www.rttnews.com/ArticleView.aspx?Id=1103347Fri, 23 Oct 2009 13:09:31 GMTThe major U.S. index futures are pointing to a mixed opening on Thursday, with the futures paring their gains after the weekly jobless claims report for the recent reporting week showing a bigger than expected increase in claims. Even as the markets to shed the lackluster phase of the past couple of sessions, mixed earnings and continuing uncertainty over a recovery should keep sentiment subdued. The markets may also focus on the Conference Board's leading indicators index.http://www.rttnews.com/ArticleView.aspx?Id=1101748Thu, 22 Oct 2009 13:10:32 GMT