Stocks mixed in Asian trade. The Hang Seng was among the worst on the day with a loss of 1.5%, but the Nikkei gained almost a half percent and Australia added a fraction. Shanghai was again closed for the new year holiday. European indexes are generally higher with both the Footsie and Dax currently trading up about two thirds of a percent. US stock futures are up a slight fraction.*The December reading of Australian Retail Sales rose 0.2% on a month on month basis, less than half the expected gain.
*The preliminary December reading of Japan’s Leading Economic Index matched the forecast with a gain of eight tenths to 101.4.
*Egypt: Mubarak still in power; protestors demanding that he leave are still in Cairo’s main square; stock market still closed; but banks have reopened for some services.
*The December reading of German Factory Orders was -3.4% on a month on month basis, more than twice as big a decline as was forecast.
*The Fed is scheduled to buy Treasuries today that are due to mature between 2/15/18 and 11/15/20; the results of the operation will be announced just after 10:00am CST.
*The December reading of Consumer Credit is due out at 2:00pm CST, it is expected to have grown by $2.5 billion.
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