Equities subdued after US stocks ended little changed - 1.9 日

The Dollar strengthening is intact today. The live dollar index data show the ICE US Dollar index, a measure of the dollar’s strength against a basket of six rival currencies, rose 0.4% on Wednesday.

GBP/USD accelerated its retreating while EUR/USD slowed its sliding yesterday after the European Commission released preliminary data showing regional economic sentiment deteriorated in December. Both Pound and euro are lower against the dollar currently. USD/JPY continued its advancing while AUD/USD accelerated its retreating on Wednesday with the yen higher against the Greenback currently and the Australian dollar lower still.

The US stock index futures are down currently ahead of Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) members speeches scheduled to start at 18:45 CET today. US stocks closed little changed on Wednesday with the three main US stock benchmarks recording daily returns in a range from -0.06% to 0.25% after ADP National Employment Report which showed private payrolls growth slowed in December, although a separate Labor Department report said jobless claims for the previous week fell. US markets will be closed today for a national day of mourning to mark the death of former President Jimmy Carter.

European stock indexes are mixed currently after closing marginally lower on Wednesday. Asian stock indexes futures are sharply lower currently with Japan’s Nikkei leading losses while data showed overall wage incomes grew in November together with average cash earnings.

Brent is little changed presently. Prices retraced down on Wednesday as the Energy Information Administration reported US gasoline stocks rose by above expected 6.3 million barrels last week to 237.7 million barrels while US oil inventories fell more than expected. The US oil benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) futures fell 1.25%. Brent crude lost 1.16% to $76.23 a barrel on Wednesday.