Pre-opening screen trade pointing to a slightly higher opening (call it +25-30 DOW points) a/o 07:45 CDT....
REMEMBER though, yesterday's memorable late (post T-Auction) rally was primarily a greenback crash reaction as both securities and commodities are lately negatively correlated with the samolean.... and this simply can't be a good thing in the long run.
LONDON, Aug 28 - European shares were higher in midday trade on Friday, ending a two-day losing streak as mining and banking stocks buoyed the leading index ahead of key U.S. economic data due later. "Over the last two days, we have seen the skeptical view returning to the markets, but since July all those smaller downturns have been fought back and there is further upward potential," Commerzbank's chief strategist, Hans-Juergen Delp, said.
TOKYO, Aug 28 (Reuters) - The Nikkei stock average edged up 0.6 percent on Friday in thin trade, with the market largely caught between investor reluctance to aggressively buy in the face of weak Shanghai shares and wariness about selling before Japan's August 30 election. An eight day rising streak for the Dow helped sentiment. Analysts say investors have factored in a big win for Japan's opposition Democratic Party in the election and the focus is now shifting to post-election events, including who will be the next finance and economy ministers. [ID:POLJP]
"Investors are basically squaring their positions ahead of the weekend and the election, unwilling to sell in case foreign investment pours into the market after the election and unwilling to buy because of Shanghai," said Kenichi Hirano, operating officer at Tachibana Securities.
HONG KONG, Aug 28 (Reuters) - Shares in China sank 2.9 percent on Friday, taking Hong Kong stocks down with them, led by banks after reports that August lending in China may drop sharply, trimming liquidity flowing into the market.
China's banking regulator had given banks verbal instructions that they must not rush into end-of-the-month lending as August draws to a close, bankers at several lenders told Reuters on Friday.
T. W. Merryman
Managing Director
Interconti, Limited
(Market Research Analysts)
Chicago, IL 60604
e: intercon@intercontilimited.com
w: www.intercontilimited.com

