NY Stock Exchange

Tracking the Key Variable

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Tracking the Key Variable
  • What Could the Government Do (and Would It Help)?

Futures are lower this morning as hopes for timely fiscal stimulus measures from the U.S. government to combat the negative impact of the coronavirus fade while a “Biden bounce” failed to materialize after the former VP had another strong showing in primary elections yesterday.

Overseas, European shares traded higher after an emergency rate cut by the BOE while Asian markets remained under pressure due to COVID-19 fears with the Nikkei falling into bear market territory overnight.

Today, there is one economic report to watch: CPI (E: 0.1%) while no Fed speakers are scheduled to speak. The only other potential catalyst on the calendar is a 10-Yr Note Auction by the Treasury at 1 p.m. ET that could move bond markets and subsequently, the stock market.

With limited market moving events on the schedule, investors will be looking for further details on the U.S. government’s plans to support the economy through the coronavirus outbreak as well as any further news about the confirmed cases/related deaths as well.

Technically speaking, a break either above yesterday’s highs or below yesterday’s lows in the S&P 500 will likely trigger a follow through move as the market is in a state of indecision and susceptible to a momentum based squeeze either way.