Happy Mufti Day Traders (and a big warm welcome back to the...

Happy Mufti Day Traders (and a big warm welcome back to the MrKR),

DOW Snapshot from the previous trading session

"Stocks ended mixed Thursday as a stronger dollar dragged on commodity-related companies, while financials and tech shares firmed.

Stocks opened modestly higher after government data showed an improvement in the number of jobless claims being filed. But the momentum faded as a stronger dollar pressured commodities prices, and weighed down shares of companies like Boeing and 3M.

"In the absence of any major economic news -- we're listing a little bit," said Mark Luschini, chief investment strategist at Janney Montgomery Scott. Investors are also awaiting the final word from Washington on the extension of Bush-era tax cuts for those making more than $250,000 a year, he added.

House Democrats voted Thursday against considering the tax package, which would also extend unemployment benefits and create a payroll tax holiday." - [Source: cnnmoney.com]

The DJIA Index finished the last trading session Down 2.42; and
The SPI Futures are currently: Down 7 pts atm.

Of note in the US this evening:

International Trade [Market moving indicator]

Consumer Sentiment [Merits extra attention]

Treasury Budget [Merits extra attention]

Trade Balance [Moderate volatility expected]

...AND...

Of note in Australia today:

Foreign Reserves (Nov)
[The Foreign Reserves released by the Reserve bank of Australia present changes in the value of official reserve assets reflecting purchases and sales (including swaps) of foreign exchange by the Reserve Bank, earnings on foreign securities, transactions with official institutions overseas. A high reading is is seen as positive (or bullish) for the AUD, while a low reading is seen as negative.]

[Sources Used: bloomberg.com; dailyfx.com; fxstreet.com; nasdaq.com]

Gold is currently trading Up $5.70 & is sitting at US$1,387.00/oz atm [Source: Kitco]
Oil is currently trading Up $0.09 & is sitting at US$88.37/bbl atm [Source: Bloomberg]
The Dollar: The AUD is currently trading @ 0.9840 cents against the US Dollar[Source: Forex. Live]

Have a great day trading today all.

Cheers, Tweets

Please click here to go to the 'Pre-Market thread'