http://www.rttnews.comGlobal financial news, market analysis, economics and forex newsen-usFri, 12 Mar 2010 17:50:02 GMTThe major U.S. index futures are pointing to a higher opening on Friday, with the futures getting a lift from relief over the fact that China has not resorted to further monetary policy tightening and the unexpected increase in U.S. retail sales. Commodities are also trading higher in reaction to the news. Additionally, the strong industrial production data from the euro zone region.http://www.rttnews.com/ArticleView.aspx?Id=1239088Fri, 12 Mar 2010 13:08:19 GMTThe major U.S. index futures are pointing to a lower opening on Thursday, with sentiment reflecting caution after China reported inflation data that came in above expectations. However, domestically, there has been encouraging news, with the Labor Department reporting a decline in jobless claims in the recent reporting week and the Commerce Department saying that the trade deficit unexpectedly declined. Additionally, Friday's retail sales data may also force traders to stay on the sidelines.http://www.rttnews.com/ArticleView.aspx?Id=1237710Thu, 11 Mar 2010 13:18:49 GMTThe major U.S. index futures are pointing to a mixed opening on Wednesday, as traders head into another session with a lack of any major first-tier economic data. Given the lackluster trading volumes in recent sessions, one cannot attach much significance to market movement. Some degree of apprehension may also be expressed over Friday's retail sales data, which should shed more light on consumer spending.http://www.rttnews.com/ArticleView.aspx?Id=1236137Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:15:32 GMTThe major U.S. index futures are pointing to a lower opening on Tuesday. For the second day in running, there isn't much economic news to digest and therefore, traders are likely to be left with little clues to decide their course of action. That said, earnings from some major European as well as U.S. firms have been disappointing. Commodity prices are pulling back amid a lack of direction. Traders may largely track a Fed speech to be delivered after the markets open.http://www.rttnews.com/ArticleView.aspx?Id=1234494Tue, 09 Mar 2010 13:03:39 GMTThe major U.S. index futures are pointing to a slightly higher opening on Monday, with sentiment reflecting cautious optimism after the major averages rose above key resistance levels last week. Greece received a firm commitment of support from the euro zone region, with France orchestrating the region's resolve to back the debt-ridden country to the helm. Additionally, some positive corporate news flow, including deal news, positive guidance and contract wins, is also likely to support markets.http://www.rttnews.com/ArticleView.aspx?Id=1233005Mon, 08 Mar 2010 13:05:06 GMTThe major U.S. index futures are pointing to a higher opening on Friday, with the futures advancing further following the release of the non-farm payroll employment report, showing a smaller than expected decline in jobs in February and a steady unemployment rate. The positive data may bring in traders, who had been waiting on the sidelines due to apprehension over the data. If the averages climb above short-term resistance levels, it is very likely that they advance significantly.http://www.rttnews.com/ArticleView.aspx?Id=1231703Fri, 05 Mar 2010 13:14:51 GMTThe major U.S. index futures are pointing to a higher opening on Thursday, with the futures getting a lift from the weekly jobless claims report, which showed a decline in the number of individuals claiming unemployment benefits. Separately, the Labor Department said fourth quarter productivity growth was better than initially estimated. Commodities are experiencing modest weakness despite the positive jobs data.http://www.rttnews.com/ArticleView.aspx?Id=1230383Thu, 04 Mar 2010 13:21:32 GMTThe major U.S. index futures are pointing to a modestly higher opening on Wednesday, with the futures bouncing back following the release of Automatic Data Processing's private non-farm payroll report. The report showed that the private sector in the U.S. lost 20,000 jobs in February, in line with expectations. Earnings news of the day has been mixed. Sentiment may also hinge on the results of the Institute for Supply Management's services sector survey and the direction commodity prices.http://www.rttnews.com/ArticleView.aspx?Id=1228787Wed, 03 Mar 2010 13:10:48 GMTThe major U.S. index futures are pointing to a higher opening on Tuesday. Global cues are encouraging, with the Asian markets ending mostly higher on some upbeat domestic economic data. The European averages are also showing some strength, as the markets in the region are deriving comfort from hopes that the Greek crisis will be diffused without wreaking havoc. In the absence of any major economic reports, the U.S. markets have limited cues to react to.http://www.rttnews.com/ArticleView.aspx?Id=1227253Tue, 02 Mar 2010 13:09:20 GMTThe major U.S. index futures are pointing to a higher opening on Monday, with sentiment getting a lift from positive global cues and a report that was released earlier in the day, showing a better than expected increase in personal spending. Additionally, deal news could perk up sentiment. The results of the Institute for Supply Management's manufacturing survey may also help determine today's market direction.http://www.rttnews.com/ArticleView.aspx?Id=1225641Mon, 01 Mar 2010 13:08:21 GMTThe major U.S. index futures are pointing to a lower opening on Friday, with sentiment reflecting the nervousness of traders ahead of some key reports. Earlier in the day, a government data revealed that economic growth in the fourth quarter was better than initially estimated. The revised GDP report may not impact sentiment much, as the solid growth reported for the quarter has already been discounted by the markets.http://www.rttnews.com/ArticleView.aspx?Id=1224242Fri, 26 Feb 2010 13:08:02 GMTThe major U.S. index futures are pointing to a notably lower opening on Thursday, with the optimism that had resurfaced yesterday following Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke's testimony likely to be put to test by a host of negative developments. Rating agencies Moody's and S&P had threatened downgrading Greece, re-igniting concerns over the nation's fiscal situation.http://www.rttnews.com/ArticleView.aspx?Id=1222720Thu, 25 Feb 2010 13:14:11 GMTThe major U.S. index futures are pointing to a slightly higher opening on Wednesday, with markets likely to attempt a rebound following yesterday's sharp declines. However, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke's semi-annual monetary policy report and new home sales report to be released after the markets open are likely to set the tone for today's trading.http://www.rttnews.com/ArticleView.aspx?Id=1220924Wed, 24 Feb 2010 13:14:42 GMTThe major U.S. index futures are pointing to a lower opening on Tuesday, with the recovery theme getting a hit following the release of an economic report from across the Atlantic showing a dip in German business confidence. In reaction, commodities prices are experiencing weakness. However, corporate earnings were bordering on the positive, with home improvement retailer Home Depot (HD) reporting better than expected results and announcing an increase in its dividend.http://www.rttnews.com/ArticleView.aspx?Id=1219356Tue, 23 Feb 2010 13:13:52 GMTThe major U.S. index futures are pointing to a higher opening on Monday, with the futures getting a lift from positive global cues. Asian stocks advanced solidly, as U.S. rate hike fears vanished, while the European averages are advancing amid some volatility. Crude oil futures are holding up, while gold has begun to move lower. Given the lack of any major catalysts, stocks could stay tuned to a testimony by Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke before the House Financial Services Committee.http://www.rttnews.com/ArticleView.aspx?Id=1217815Mon, 22 Feb 2010 13:11:40 GMTThe major U.S. index futures are pointing to a lower opening on Friday, although they have currently recouped some of their losses. The discount rate hike announced by the Federal Reserve triggered the pessimism due to fears that the delicate economy, which is still smarting from the wounds inflicted by recession, may soon lose the stimulatory props. However, the negative sentiment diminished following the release of the consumer price inflation report.http://www.rttnews.com/ArticleView.aspx?Id=1216584Fri, 19 Feb 2010 13:13:09 GMTThe major U.S. index futures are pointing to a lower opening on Thursday, with the negativity intensifying following the release of a report showing an unexpected increase in claims. Global markets, which have been rallying in the recent couple of sessions pulled back on profit taking. Earnings news has been mixed, while the dollar's strength, triggered by rumors of gold sale by the IMF and the recent increase in risk aversion, is sending commodities lower.http://www.rttnews.com/ArticleView.aspx?Id=1215284Thu, 18 Feb 2010 13:15:21 GMTThe major U.S. index futures are pointing to a higher opening on Wednesday, with futures getting a further lift following the release of the Commerce Department's housing starts report showing a bigger than expected rise in starts. The sustenance of the early optimism over the course of the session depends on the industrial production report and the minutes of the January FOMC meeting to be released later in the day. Deal news continues to trickle in.http://www.rttnews.com/ArticleView.aspx?Id=1213738Wed, 17 Feb 2010 13:10:45 GMTThe major U.S. index futures are pointing to a higher opening on Tuesday, with the early economic optimism triggered on the back of a seeing a resolution to the Greek debt crisis increasing following the release of an upbeat domestic manufacturing data. The New York Fed said ahead of the market open that the manufacturing sector in the region expanded at a faster pace.http://www.rttnews.com/ArticleView.aspx?Id=1212217Tue, 16 Feb 2010 13:14:25 GMTThe major U.S. index futures are pointing to a lower opening on Friday, with the futures showing notable weakness immediately after China surprisingly announced a raise in reserve requirement for banks. However, they have since trimmed their losses, especially after the release of the U.S. retail sales report showing fairly robust sales. The report is an indication that consumers are still alive and kicking and will not completely withdraw their support to the economy.http://www.rttnews.com/ArticleView.aspx?Id=1210279Fri, 12 Feb 2010 13:09:18 GMTThe major U.S. index futures are pointing to a higher opening on Thursday, with the futures gaining strength following an announcement by the European Union that an agreement has been reached among the member countries regarding the bailout of Greece. Sentiment also received a shot in the arm from the jobless claims report showing a bigger than expected drop in the first time claims for unemployment benefits. The positive sentiment triggered by these developments could support stocks.http://www.rttnews.com/ArticleView.aspx?Id=1208768Thu, 11 Feb 2010 13:12:08 GMT