UPDATED 7:00 am ET
STOCKS – European stocks were little changed, with the Stoxx Europe 600 Index trading near a six-year high, as investors awaited the outcome of the European Central Bank’s policy meeting. U.S. stock-index futures and Asian shares were also little changed.
BONDS – Treasuries rose for the first time in six days as economists predicted the European Central Bank will cut interest rates today, making U.S. yields more attractive.
COMMODITIES – Crude Oil fell for a second day after inventories of gasoline and distillate fuels increased in the U.S., the world’s biggest oil consumer. Brent slipped before a meeting of the European Central Bank.
CURRENCIES – Euro volatility surged to the highest in a year and price swings in Treasuries rose to a two-month high as investors speculated on the extent to which the European Central Bank will ease monetary policy today.
ECONOMIC DATA – G7 Meetings all day, GBP Official Bank Rate due at 7:00, EUR Minimum Bid Rate at 7:45, ECB Press Conference, US Unemployment Claims and CAD Building Permits m/m all due at 8:30, CAD Ivey PMI at 10:00, Natural Gas Storage at 10:30 ET.
