Going into today, the Dow Jones Industrial Average
Overseas markets were mixed overnight with no major movements, as are futures on the major American exchanges. Signs in China pointed to a continuing slowdown after a disappointing manufacturing report earlier this week, while worries about Greece's euro exit seem to be absorbed as investors await elections there in three weeks.
One economic report is due out today: the final Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index, to be released at 9:55 a.m. EDT. The report is based on a survey of 5,000 households, and it rates consumers' opinions of current economic conditions and expectations for the future, which can serve as a leading indicator. The market expects a figure of 77.5 following last month's 77.8. Changes of less than five points are generally considered insignificant.
We'll also find out today whether Hewlett-Packard's
A report in The Wall Street Journal revealed that JPMorgan Chase's
Finally, expect trading volume to be lower than normal today as we head into the three-day weekend.
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