All European markets down over night.The FTSE fell 8 points...

All European markets down over night.

The FTSE fell 8 points (.11%), the DAX fell 242 points (1.32%) and the CAC fell 70 points (.86%).

In the US, the DOW fell 9 points (.023%), The NBI rose 46 points (1.09%), the NASDAQ Composite rose 52 points (.32%) and the Russell small cap index rose 7 points (.34%).

In early trade, the US markets went into free fall - the DOW was over 300 points down at one stage. Big pullback in afternoon trading.

Markets are waiting on tomorrows US CPI data. and seem to be a bit directionless at the moment. Investors are becoming less confident of interest rate cuts this financial year.

US 1st quarter earnings reports start on Friday (US time).

US Treasury 10 year bond yields remain high. Currently at 4.36% but as high as 4.4% overnight. 5% is considered a critical number that will adversely affect the stock markets.

Oil prices also continue to be high - not a good sign for controlling inflation. Brent crude is at US$89.50 per barrel.

The gold price is at US$2,354 per oz.

BITCOIN slipped a bit and is at US$69,012.