💎 Fed’s first rate cut since 2020 set to trigger market. Find undervalued gems with Fair ValueSee Undervalued Stocks

US STOCKS-Futures mixed before CPI, Obama plan

Published 06/17/2009, 07:44 AM
Updated 06/17/2009, 07:49 AM
NDX
-
FDX
-

* Investors eyeing May CPI data, FedEx's quarterly results

* Obama to unveil financial regulatory package

* Futures mixed:Dow -21 pts; S&P+2.9 pts; Nasdaq +3.75 pts

By Ellis Mnyandu

NEW YORK, June 17 (Reuters) - U.S. stock index futures were little changed on Wednesday as caution prevailed ahead of key inflation data for May and quarterly results from package delivery company FedEx Corp that may shed light on the strength of the economic recovery.

After the recent surge in commodity prices and oil's brief run-up above $73 a barrel last week, investors want to see from the May Consumer Price Index whether inflation pressures are seeping into the broader economy.

The spotlight will also be on the details of the Obama administration's financial regulatory reform package, due to be announced later on Wednesday. U.S. President Barack Obama will present his proposals at 12:50 p.m. (1650 GMT).

Economic bellwether FedEx is expected to report earnings of 51 cents a share for its fiscal fourth quarter, down from $1.45 a year ago.

"The market is still trying to decide whether the selloff of the last few days is reaching an end," said Rick Meckler, president of investment firm LibertyView Capital Management in New York.

"Now that we've had some profit-taking ... some investors are probably starting to nibble back in. The regulation information is hard to digest right now without a lot of detail, and FedEx's forecast is probably meaningful, depending on whether they say things are improving."

S&P 500 futures rose 2.90 points and were above fair value, a formula that evaluates pricing by taking into account interest rates, dividends and time to expiration on the contract. Dow Jones industrial average futures dipped 21 points, while Nasdaq 100 futures added 3.75 points.

In the past two days, the benchmark S&P 500 has dropped more than 3 percent amid concerns that the economic recovery might prove weak and provide very little impetus for earnings growth.

The S&P 500, however, is still up 34.8 percent from its 12-year low of March 9, and even with Tuesday's selloff it managed to extend its hold above the 200-day moving average -- a crucial technical gauge for market strength -- to a 12th straight day.

The May Consumer Price Index (CPI) is due at 8:30 a.m. (1230 GMT). Surging gasoline prices probably pushed U.S. consumer prices up in May, but excluding food and fuel, costs were better contained. The median forecast of a Reuters poll of 68 economists predicts a 0.3 percent rise in the CPI in May after being flat in April.

Latest comments

Risk Disclosure: Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers.
© 2007-2024 - Fusion Media Limited. All Rights Reserved.