Commodities Update and Powell Preview
What’s in Today’s Report:
- Powell Testimony Preview
- Commodity Bears and a Gold Bull
Stock futures and most international equity markets are higher today as the spread of the coronavirus reportedly slowed to a two week low in China and investors looked ahead to Powell’s testimony before Congress today.
Economically, the NFIB Small Business Optimism Index rose 1.6 points to 104.3 vs. (E) 103.2 in January underscoring continued positive sentiment among U.S. business owners.
Today, there is just one economic report: JOLTS (E: 6.775M) which will leave investors primarily focused on Powell’s Testimony before the House Financial Services Committee at 10:00 a.m. ET and it will be important for the markets that he remains decidedly dovish with his commentary.
In addition to Powell, both Quarles (12:15 p.m. ET) and Bullard (1:30 p.m. ET) will speak in the early afternoon, Wall Street time.
Lastly, there is a 3-Yr Note Auction at 1:00 p.m. today and the results could affect the yield curve (specifically the 10s-2s) and as has been the case over the last 9 months, any significant moves in the curve could impact equity markets.
