Stocks: Ending the quarter on the up
CNN
NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -
Markets look set to end a lackluster first quarter on a positive note.
Investors are hoping stronger economic data and fading geopolitical risks will help stocks resume their five-year run higher.
U.S. stock futures were pushing up ahead of the open.
There is little economic or corporate news on the docket Monday, but investors are gearing up for a busy week which concludes with jobless data Friday.
The Dow, S&P 500 and Nasdaq all ended Friday less than 1% higher. The Dow was the only major U.S. index to end the week in positive territory after a decent 60-point rally on Friday.
The S&P has eked out a gain of 0.5% over the year to date, but the Dow remains stuck in the red, still down 1.5% during the quarter.
European markets were generally firmer in morning trading, ahead of eurozone inflation data due later Monday. A weak number is likely to revive talk that the European Central Bank could act Thursday to boost the economy.
Asian markets ended mixed. The Shanghai Composite dropped 0.4% as investors wait for clarity from Beijing on possible new stimulus measures. The benchmark index has lost almost 4% this year on worries over slower economic growth in China.
Hong Kong's Hang Seng and Japan's Nikkei, which often diverge from the Shanghai Composite, ended the trading day in positive territory.
Post a Comment for "Stocks: Ending the quarter on the up"