Benzinga Market Primer, Tuesday August 13

Futures Higher On Japan, Eurozone

U.S. equity futures traded higher overnight on reports out of Japan and the Eurozone. Japan may look to cut corporate taxes following the weak GDP print Monday and Eurozone data showed improvement early Tuesday, both acting as factors in the early morning rally.

Top News

In other news around the markets:

Asian Markets

Asian shares were higher overnight with Japanese stocks leading gains on the proposed tax cut plan. The Japanese Nikkei 225 Index rose 2.57 percent and the Topix Index gained 1.99 percent. In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng Index rose 1.21 percent and the Shanghai Composite Index rose 0.23 percent in China. Also, the Korean Kospi gained 1.5 percent and Australian shares rose 0.96 percent.

European Markets

European shares were higher on the stronger than expected ZEW survey. The Spanish Ibex Index rose 0.62 percent and the Italian FTSE MIB Index gained 0.74 percent. Meanwhile, the German DAX rose 0.87 percent and the French CAC 40 Index gained 0.44 percent while U.K. shares rose 0.65 percent.

Commodities

Commodities were were higher overnight on broad risk-on sentiment. WTI Crude futures rose 0.69 percent to $106.84 per barrel and Brent Crude futures rose 0.64 percent to $109.67 per barrel. Copper futures rose 0.85 percent. Gold was higher and silver futures rose 1.62 percent to $21.69 per ounce.

Currencies

Currency markets were on the move as the dollar gained and the yen sold off sharply on the tax cut proposal. The EUR/USD was higher at 1.3309 and the dollar rose against the yen to 97.92. Overall, the Dollar Index rose 0.24 percent on strength against the yen, the Canadian dollar, and the Swiss franc.

Earnings Reported Yesterday

Key companies that reported earnings Monday include:

Pre-Market Movers

Stocks moving in the pre-market included:

Earnings

Notable companies expected to report earnings Tuesday include:

Economics

On the economics calendar Tuesday, the NFIB Small Business Optimism Index is due out followed by the retail sales report and the weekly Redbook. The Fed's Dennis Lockhart is also expected to speak and the Treasury will auction 4-week bills. Overnight, the German, French, and Eurozone GDP reports are due out as well as the British employment report and Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee minutes.

Good luck and good trading.

Tune into Benzinga's PreMarket Info show with Dennis Dick and Joel Elconin here.

For a recap of Monday's market action, read Benzinga's daily market wrap here.

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