Thursday, March 07, 2019

Friday Watch

Evening Headlines
Bloomberg:
  • Stock Slide Extends to Asia Amid Growth Worries. Stocks in Asia tracked declines in the U.S. after a European Central Bank cut to economic forecasts reignited concern on global growth and sent global bond yields lower. The euro fell to the lowest since 2017. Shares in Sydney and Tokyo retreated after the S&P 500 Index sank for a fourth day, with Amazon, Microsoft, Apple and Facebook the biggest drags. The gauge closed just below its closely watched 200-day moving average that has provided support in the past. Australian bonds tracked gains in Treasuries and bunds, while the dollar steadied after gaining for a seventh day. Japan’s Topix index fell 0.8 percent as of 9:03 a.m. in Tokyo. South Korea’s Kospi index lost 0.5 percent. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 Index dropped 0.5 percent. The S&P 500 Index fell 0.8 percent. Futures dipped 0.1 percent. Hang Seng futures earlier lost 0.7 percent.   
Wall St. Journal:
Zero Hedge:
Night Trading 
  • Asian equity indices are -.75% to -.25% on average.
  • Asia Ex-Japan Investment Grade CDS Index 69.75 +2.25 basis points
  • China Sovereign CDS 50.25 +2.75 basis points.
  • Bloomberg Emerging Markets Currency Index 67.29 +.01%.
  • FTSE 100 futures -.22%.
  • S&P 500 futures -.18%.
  • NASDAQ 100 futures -.16%.
Morning Preview Links

Earnings of Note
Company/Estimate

Before the Open:
  • (NAV)/.13
  • (MTN)/4.80
After the Close:
  • None of note
Economic Releases
8:30 am EST
  • Housing Starts for Jan. are estimated to rise to 1195K versus 1078K in Dec. 
  • Building Permits for Jan. is estimated to fall to 1287K versus 1326K in Dec. 
  • The Change in Non-Farm Payrolls for Feb. is estimated at 180K versus 304K in Jan.
  • The Unemployment Rate for Feb. is estimated to fall to 3.9% versus 4.0% in Jan.
  • Average Hourly Earnings MoM for Feb. is estimated to rise +.3% versus a +.1% gain in Jan.
Upcoming Splits
  • None of note
Other Potential Market Movers
  • The Fed's Powell speaking, Fed's Daly speaking, Eurozone Factory Orders report, China Trade Balance report, (ON) analyst day and the (PSMT) monthly sales release could also impact trading today.
BOTTOM LINE:  Asian indices are lower, weighed down by technology and industrial shares in the region. I expect US stocks to open mixed and to rally into the afternoon, finishing modestly higher.  The Portfolio is 50% net long heading into the day.

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