Stocks mixed after Wal Street extends gains - 9.2.2024

The Dollar strengthening has halted 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, ended 0.1% higher on Thursday as Department of Labor data showed the number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits fell more than expected last week.

GBP/USD reversed its climbing and EUR/USD slowed its advancing on Thursday. Both euro and Pound are higher against the dollar currently. USD/JPY accelerated its advancing while AUD/USD accelerated its sliding yesterday with the yen lower against the Greenback currently and the Australian dollar higher.

US stock indexes futures are mixed currently as the yield on benchmark 10-year Treasury notes edged down to 4.150%. The three main stock benchmarks ended higher on Thursday in a narrow range of 0.1% to 0.2% while SP 500 got to within less than a half point of 5,000 before retreating.

European stock indexes are higher currently after closing mixed on Thursday as household goods shares led gains. Asian stock indexes futures are mostly lower today with Japan’s Nikkei leading losses as mainland markets were closed in China.

Brent is retracing down currently. Prices gained more than 3% on Thursday on concerns of a broadening conflict in the Middle East after Israel rejected a ceasefire offer from Hamas. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) jumped 3.2% but is lower currently. Brent futures rose 3% to $81.36 a barrel on Thursday.