Good Morning Traders,US Market Report:With the G-20 conference...

Good Morning Traders,

US Market Report:

With the G-20 conference wrapped up, investors this week will turn their attention to the all-important U.S. consumer -- as reports show how much they've been buying and how optimistic they are.

As Wal-Mart, Target and other retail giants report quarterly earnings this holiday-shortened week, investors will be closely watching to see how much Americans opened their wallets over the holiday shopping season and how the economy is faring.

If the big retailers disappoint, stocks could head downward, said Kevin Mahn, chief investment officer with Hennion & Walsh.

"I think we're well on our way in the economic recovery, but we need to see if those Americans who held jobs throughout the recession have stopped saving and started spending," said Mahn. [Source: cnnmoney.com]

Market Reflections - Monday, 21st February, 2011

There are no market reflections to report, as the US markets were closed for Washington's Birthday (President's Day) yesterday. [Source: bloomberg.com]

Market Focus in the US this evening

The consumer confidence report offers the consumers' assessment of the jobs market. [Source: bloomberg.com]
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The DJIA Index finished the last trading session: Up 73.11 points; and
The SPI Futures are currently: Up 3 points atm.
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Of note in the US this evening:

Consumer Confidence [ Market moving indicator]

S&P Case-Shiller HPI [ Merits extra attention]

Richmond Fed Manufacturing Index (Feb) [ Merits extra attention]

Narayana Kocherlakota speaks
[Minneapolis Federal Reserve Pres. - Speaks in Pierre, South Dakota.]

...AND...

Of note in Australia today:

Please note there is no noteworthy 'Economic news' due to be reported in Australia today either.

[Sources used: bloomberg.com; dailyfx.com; fxstreet.com; nasdaq.com]
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Gold is currently trading Up $16.90 & is sitting at US$1,406.00/oz atm [Source: Kitco]
Oil is currently trading Up $5.22 & is sitting at US$91.42/bbl atm [Source: Bloomberg]
The Dollar: The AUD is currently trading @ $1.0083c against the US Dollar [Source: Forex. Live]
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Have a great day trading today all.

Cheers, Tweets

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