Today's Trading

Flat to lower open as crude offsets income data

Kevin Pendley | Jun 27, 2008 08:55am EDT | Comment
Rating: Unrated

Small-cap stocks are expected to open steady to lower, with pressure from rising crude oil prices, slumping bank stocks and a sell-off in global equities overnight countered by a better-than-expected personal income report. The Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) was down about 0.2% in after-hours trading, which suggests a cash opening near 697.

Crude oil prices climbed to yet another record higher in overnight action, moving above $142 dollars a barrel. Although the market pulled back to around $141 dollars, it’s still unnerving to equities to go into the weekend with record highs in tow.

The personal income report came in at plus 1.9%, which was much better than the forecast for a rise of 0.7%. The May core personal consumption expenditure index was up 0.1%, (slightly below the 0.2% forecast), which sparked a recovery bounce in stock index futures from the overnight lows.

Equity markets around the world tumbled overnight, catching up with the big slide registered in U.S. stock markets Thursday. Japan shares were down 2%, Hong Kong off 1.8%, China down 5.5%, Taiwan down 3.3%, India down 4.3%, Australia down 1.3%, Singapore down 0.8% and South Korea off 2%.

Equities on the move overnight included Accenture (NYSE:ACN), which rallied after reporting strong earnings and raising full-year guidance. Also, Andersons Inc. (Nasdaq:ANDE) shot up some 15% in after-hours trading as the company also raised yearly guidance. Palm Inc. (Nasdaq:PALM) was off 7% overnight as earnings missed the forecast. AK Steel Holding Corp. (NYSE:AKS) shot up about 3% as the company will replace Countrywide in the S&P 500 after Monday’s close.

Thursday’s sharp downturn confirmed the recent range breakout, and the move carries a target push down to 690. Short-term momentum readings are oversold into the weekend, which could spur some short-covering from traders who caught this week’s slide. Also, as we approach the quarter-end Monday, it could attract some fund shifts to buttress holdings.


Kevin Pendley

About the Author
Kevin Pendley covers the Russell 2000 index for SmallCapInvestor.com and writes a weekly technical analysis column.