Day trading pre-market open September 19

Originally posted by highlandlad ↑

Morning traders. Thanks @ttward and lounge lizards.

Overnight round-up and day ahead:

Stocks look set to open cautiously higher after a volatile session in the US ended with minimal change as traders weighed mixed messages from the Federal Reserve.

ASX SPI200 index futures edged up nine points or 0.1 per cent to 6696 as US stocks turned positive in the final minutes of trade.

A night of severe swings saw Wall Street initially tumble after the Fed cut its benchmark rate but failed to commit to further cuts. The central bank lowered the federal funds rate by 25 basis points to a range of 1.75 - 2 per cent, as widely expected. However, market expectations of another cut this year were dashed by an accompanying statement that suggested a divided Fed might be done for the year.

The Dow fell roughly 200 points before reversing direction after Fed Chair Jerome Powell told reporters the central bank might expand its balance sheet after lending rates spiked dramatically this week due to liquidity problems. The promise of a central bank "backstop" saw the major stock indices claw back losses in the final hour of trade. The Dow ended 36 points or 0.13 per cent ahead. The broader S&P 500 gained one point or 0.03 per cent, while the Nasdaq trimmed a deep loss to nine points or 0.11 per cent.

Overnight lending rates used by banks shot up to 10 per cent from around 3 per cent earlier this week due to a shortage of money in the system. The dramatic surge was the worst since the financial crisis and raised fears of systemic problems. Powell said the Fed might have to "resume the organic growth of the balance sheet sooner than we thought” in response.

The US dollar rose on the prospect of a pause in the rate-cutting cycle, pressuring the Australian unit. The Aussie was lately down more than half a cent at 68.28 US cents.

A rising greenback is broadly negative for dollar-denominated commodities because it makes them more expensive for holders of other currencies. Gold, oil and copper declined.

Oil extended its retreat from Monday's highs as the shock of the drone attack on Saudi Arabia continued to wear off. Brent crude settled 95 cents or 1.5 per cent lower at $US63.60 a barrel. Newspapers reported that the Saudis have been able to meet production shortfalls by drawing on existing reserves.

Gold settled higher for a third night before the Fed announcement, but turned sharply lower as the greenback took off. December gold settled $2.40 or 0.2 per cent ahead at $US1,515.80 an ounce, but was more recently trading at $US1,501.70, a decline of $11.70 or 0.8 per cent.

The big two Australian miners lost ground in US trade following a flat session in the UK. BHP's US-listed stock fell 0.76 per cent and Rio Tinto lost 1.04 per cent. Earlier in the night, BHP's UK listing edged up 0.06 per cent and Rio gained 0.01 per cent. Iron ore slipped for a fourth session. The spot price for ore landed at Tianjin eased 40 cents or 0.4 per cent to US$96.10 a ton.

The US continuous copper contract fell two cents or 0.6 per cent to $US2.61. Earlier in London, copper was bid down 0.8 per cent in official rings, aluminium lost 0.6 per cent and zinc 1.2 per cent. Lead gained 0.4 per cent and nickel 0.3 percent. Tin was unchanged.

The ASX 200 declined yesterday for the first time in six sessions, easing 14 points or 0.2 per cent. How today plays out may depend on the August employment report, due at 11.30 am Eastern Standard Time. The figures are notoriously volatile but expected to show jobs growth of around 15,000, keeping the unemployment rate steady at 5.2 per cent. Fewer fireworks are expected tonight in the US, with mostly second-tier reports scheduled.

Breakfast
Today is National Paw Paw Day.

Expand

Morning highlandlad many thanks for the awesome reports & breakfast everyday really appreciated just thought I would let you know it's also International Pirates Day I heard it on JJJ radio this morning HAGD probably get a few pirate jokes now