Day Trading 23 Dec Pre Market

Merry Christmas
Thanks AM Elves

SPI -3
XJO +34

U.S. equities fell on Thursday, with consumer discretionary lagging, as investors digested a series of economic data, while the Dow Jones industrial average struggled to reach a key psychological level.
"Dow 20,000, we believe that's a major psychological wall for investors," said Jeff Kravetz, regional investment strategist at the Private Client Reserve at U.S. Bank. "It's going to require a major catalyst for investors to go over that wall."
The Dow fell about 50 points, with Wal-Mart contributing the most losses, pulling it further away from 20,000. On Wednesday, the index closed about 60 points away from the level.

"What we're seeing here is a tired market," said Peter Cardillo, chief market economist at First Standard Financial. "I think it's mostly a lack of volume. A lot of traders and institutions have already made their moves" for the year.

In Europe, stocks closed mostly lower amid concerns surrounding the region's banks. Earlier on Thursday, the Italian government approved a $20.8 billion bailout for Monte dei Paschi, one of Italy's largest lenders and the oldest bank in the world.
News about the rescue fund came a day after the bank said it could run out of cash in around four months.
"Given the level of investment by Italian households in Monte Paschi, it makes sense for politicians to make the bank part of their agenda. Having said that and looking at the level of investment historically, the amount invested by households in Italian banks has dropped nearly 52% from its peak which was in 2012," said Naeem Aslam, chief market analyst at Think Market, in a note.

The Dow Jones industrial average fell 44 points, or 0.22 percent, to 19,898, with Wal-Mart leading decliners and 3M the biggest riser.
The S&P 500 dropped 7 points, or 0.33 percent, to 2,257, with consumer discretionary leading eight sectors lower and telecommunications the top advancer.
The Nasdaq composite slipped 34 points, or 0.63 percent, to 5,437.

Oil prices rose in quiet trading on Thursday, supported by strong U.S. economic data, a pause in the U.S. dollar rally and optimism that crude producers would abide by an agreement to limit output.
The gains were curbed by an unexpected rise in U.S. crude inventories last week and moves by Libya to boost output over the next few months.
Brent futures for February delivery rose 59 cents, or 1.1 percent, to $55.05 a barrel by 2:36 p.m. ET (1928 GMT), having previously finished 89 cents lower.

U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude settled up 46 cents, or 0.88 percent to $52.95 a barrel, after closing the previous session down 81 cents.

Gold and silver prices ended a lethargic and two-sided trading session slightly lower Thursday. Many traders are hitting the exit doors early ahead of the Christmas weekend. Look for even quieter trading on Friday. February Comex gold was last down $2.00 an ounce at $1,131.20. March Comex silver was last down $0.084 at $15.895 an ounce.
AUD Gold $1565

AUD .7210