The DAX Futures is trading at 10,802.00 with a loss of -0.76% percent or -82.50 point.The FTSE 100 Futures is trading at 6,820.00  with a loss of -0.42% percent or -29.00 point. The CAC 40 Futures is trading at 4,738.50  with  a loss of -0.80% percent or -38.00 point.  The EURO Stoxx 50 Futures trading at 3,037.50  with a loss of -0.72% percent or -22.00 point.

TODAY’S FACTORS AND EVENTS

The global trade war has led to less demand for European exports, which in turn has weighed heavily on the manufacturing industry. Industrial production in Italy fell by 1.6% in November and in France the drop was 1.3%. The biggest worry is over Germany, where industrial production has slipped for three straight months. With the three largest economies in the eurozone in trouble, conditions may not warrant any rate increases in the foreseeable future. The ECB winded up its stimulus program last month, and had expressed plans to raise rates later this year.

PREVIOUS DAY ACTIVITY

For the day Germany’s DAX closed at 10,887.46  with a loss of  -0.31% percent or -34.13 point.the FTSE 100 closed at 6,918.18 with a loss of  -0.36% percent or -24.69 point. France’s CAC  40 closed at 4,781.34  with a loss of -0.51% percent or -24.31 point. 

WORLD MARKETS

For the day the Dow is trading at 23,995.95 with a loss of – 0.025% percent or -5.97 point. The S&P 500 is trading at 2,596.26  with a loss of -0.015% percent or -0.38 point. The Nasdaq Composite is trading at +6,971.48  with a loss of -0.21% percent or -14.59 point.

In other parts of world, Japan’s Nikkei 225 is trading at 20,359.70  up with +0.97% percent or +195.90 point. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng is trading at 26,252.44  with a loss of  -1.56% percent or -414.83 point. China’s Shanghai Composite is trading at 2,535.77  with a loss of -0.71% percent or  -18.07  point. India’s BSE Sensex is trading at 35,761.04  with a loss of -0.69% percent or -248.80 point at 12:15 PM.