Day Trading 16 Mar Pre Market

Morning all
Thanks AMers

The ASX is set for a soft opening today after mining stocks tumbled overnight. Yesterday saw the XJO fall 1.4%
SPI futures are off 6 at 5099

Commodity and energy producers dragged down European stocks from a two-month high, after the Bank of Japan refrained from boosting its record monetary stimulus.
Anglo American tumbled 11 per cent.BHP 6.5%, Rio 4%
FTSE -.6%
DAX -.6%

US markets are effectively on hold pending news of the ongoing Fed meeting.
U.S. retail sales fell less than expected in February, but a sharp downward revision to January's data could reignite concerns about the economy's growth prospects.
Tuesday's weak report from the Commerce Department bucked the trend of recent labor market data that had suggested the economy remained on solid ground despite some fears of a looming recession.
The data could give the Federal Reserve more reason to keep interest rates unchanged on Wednesday, when it is due to release its latest policy statement.
"The economy's engines are not going into reverse ... but at the moment, it is hard to see GDP with a 2 percent handle. Based on today's lackluster sales report, policymakers will be in no hurry to raise interest rates," said Chris Rupkey, chief economist at MUFG Union Bank in New York. 2
Commodity, health and financial stocks were the worst performers, Apple added 2%, Johnson & Johnson 11%.
S&P -.15%
Nasdaq -.35%

Oil $36.41 - .77c

Copper, Nickel, Zinc- flat but closed off the lows

Gold $1232
HUI +1.3%
AUD Gold $1653

AUD .7457

On Today
China: Premier Li Keqiang gives his only press conference of the year.
Fed decision 5am Sydney time on Thursday. Chair Janet Yellen press conference 5:30AM
Overseas NZ balance of payments, NZ Global Dairy Trade auction,
US consumer prices Feb, US housing starts Feb, US MBA mortgage applications (weekly), US industrial production (Feb.), UK unemployment and average earnings (Nov.-Jan.)
UK Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne presents his annual budget in a speech to the House of Commons. 2

Have a good day

1. Reuters
2 SMh