US indices closed up on Wednesday, lifted by the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment (+1.92%), Capital Goods (+0.81%) and Technology Hardware & Equipment (+0.78%) sectors. On the economic data front, the Mortgage Bankers Association’s Mortgage Applications rose 3.8% for the week ending December 6th, up from a decline of -9.2% the week before. The Consumer Price Index rose 0.3% for the November month over month change, above the 0.2% consensus, down from a rise of 0.4% a month earlier. The Monthly Budget Deficit rose to 208.8 billion dollars, just above the consensus for November, compared to 204.9 billion dollars in October. The Fed met for the last time this year where chairman Powell stated that monetary policy is well positioned for this expanding economy, the outlook is unchanged, the jobs market is expected to remain strong and inflation remains moderate. The Fed kept interest rates the same.
On Thursday, economists expect the Producer Price Index Final Demand month over month change to rise 0.2% for November, down from 0.4% the month before, Initial Jobless Claims are anticipated to increase to 214K for the week ending December 7th, up from 203K the week before. Continuing Claims are expected to fall to 1678K for the week ending November 30th, down from 1693K the prior week. Finally, Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index data for the week ending December 8th is expected.
European markets are expected to open on a flat note. read more