The DAX Futures is trading at 12,249.00  with a loss of -0.15% percent or -18.80 point.The FTSE 100 Futures is trading at 7,456.00  with a loss of -0.14% percent or -10.50 point. The CAC 40 Futures is trading at 5,524.50  with a loss of -0.19% percent or -10.50 point.  The EURO Stoxx 50 Futures trading at 3,428.00 with a loss of -0.23% percent or -8.00 point.

TODAY’S FACTORS AND EVENTS

the DAX is at 12,193, down 0.23% on the day. In economic news, there is only one event on the schedule. The eurozone releases consumer confidence, which is projected to remain unchanged at -7 points for a third straight month. On Wednesday, Gemany releases the Ifo Business Climate index.

Crude oil prices jumped to a 5-month high after the Trump administration announced that it would terminate sanction waivers given to some importers of Iranian oil, as of May 1. This move is intended to further tighten sanctions against Iran and cripple Iranian oil exports. The move has been bitterly criticized by Iran, which has upped the ante by threatening to close the Strait of Hormuz, a critical gateway for seaborne oil shipments. The rising geopolitical temperature could further boost oil prices, which are up 50% since December. Higher oil prices could weigh on economic growth and send stock markets lower.

PREVIOUS DAY ACTIVITY

For the day Germany’s DAX closed at 12,235.51 up with +0.11% percent or +13.12  point. the FTSE 100 closed at 7,523.07  up with +0.85% percent or +63.19 point. France’s CAC  40 closed at 5,591.69 up with +0.20% percent or +11.31 point. 

WORLD MARKETS

For the day the Dow is trading at 26,656.39  up with +0.55% percent or +145.34 point. The S&P 500 is trading at 2,933.68 up with +0.88% percent or +25.71 point. The Nasdaq Composite is trading at 8,120.82 up with +1.32% percent or +105.56 point.

In other parts of world, Japan’s Nikkei 225 is trading at 22,200.00  with a loss of -0.27% percent or -59.74 point. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng is trading at 29,841.23  with a loss of -0.40% percent or -119.33   point. China’s Shanghai Composite is trading at 3,201.41 up  with +0.088% percent or +2.82 point. India’s BSE Sensex is trading at 38,639.67  up with +0.19% percent or +74.79 point at 12:15 PM.