US index futures are flat this morning, as markets digest yesterday’s 0.50% to 0.75% gains for US indices. Overseas, Sydney hit a new all time high is it and Hong Kong both gained 1.3%. In Europe today, London is up 0.1% while and Frankfurt is down 0.2%.
Several Cryptocurrencies are soaring again today after Congress voted to block the formation of a central bank digital currency, apparently making non-government cryptos the favored option as the US moves toward regulation and more mainstream adoption. Ether is up 5.0%, Dogecoin is up 12.5%, while Bitcoin is down 0.1%.
The US Dollar is sliding this morning, enabling other currencies to gain including the Euro up 0.5%, the Loonie up 0.3% and Gold up 0.6%. In commodity action, Copper is up 1.3% and Crude Oil is up 1.7%.
Earnings released overnight and into this morning have continued this quarter’s trend of beating the Street significantly. Headliners include Netflix* ($7.19 vs Street $7.07, beat on sales, raised guidance, down 2.4% premarket), 3M* ($2.16 vs Street $2.01, up 3.0% premarket), and American Express.
On the economic side, US housing starts (1.32M vs Street 1.30M) joined the parade of June numbers beating expectations. U of Michigan consumer sentiment is due at 10:00 am EDT.
*Shares of Netflix and 3M are held in portfolios managed by SIA Wealth Management.