Stocks were mixed in Asian trade. Shanghai was up more than 1.8%. but the Nikkei fell one and three quarters percent, Australia lost almost 1.4% and the Hang Seng was off by 0.4%. But European indexes are generally higher on the session, with the Footsie and Dax both currently up by about 0.6%. US stock futures are up a slight fraction.*The preliminary January reading of Japan’s Leading Economic Index was up a half point on the month to 101.9, but that’s was four tenths under the estimate.
*Libyan conflict is ongoing; several reports of warplanes hitting at rebel strongholds, including oil facilities in the east of the country. The crude oil market has again taken note with WTI currently up by more than two bucks at $106.70 and the Brent trading close to $118, higher by almost $2 on the day.
*Some chatter this morning about WSJ article by John Hilsenrath, in which he writes that the Fed is most likely to continue QE2 on schedule as opposed to either ending it early or tapering off the process at a slower pace but longer duration.
*There is some Fed speak on the calendar today, including: Atlanta Fed’s Lockhart on the economic outlook at 7:00am CST and Dallas Fed boss Fisher at 8:15am CST, also on the economy.
*The Fed is scheduled to buy Treasuries today that are due to mature between 9/15/13 and 2/28/15; the results of the operation will be announced just after 10:00am CST.
*The January reading of Consumer Credit is due out at 2:00pm CST; it is expected to show a gain of $3.40 billion.
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