4 Things to Know Before Today's Open

1. Pre-Market Movers -- Shares in FedEx (FDX)could see higher-than-normal trading volume after the company announced a $4.8 billion deal to purchase its Dutch competitor, TNT Express, two years after UPS withdrew its offer for TNT.

Samsung reported that its profits are stabilizing after months of slowing growth.  The South Korean electronics giant is preparing for the global launch of its new Galaxy S6 phone.

General Motors (GM) shares are trading lower on news that the Canadian government sold off its remaining $2.7 billion stake in the company.

2. Stocks rallied: US major indexes traded sharply higher on Monday even as news from Friday's nonfarm payroll numbers came in below expectations.  Money poured into energy companies on a spike in crude oil prices, and into large cap tech names.  The Nasdaq index gained 77 points on the day.  This morning futures show a flat open while overseas markets are mostly green.

3. No follow-through in oil: While stock index futures are flat, crude oil futures are slumping after yesterday's big rally.  Crude futures are currently down by about 0.9% to trade around $51.70 per barrel. Natural gas futures are higher, however, trading up 1.6% to 2.693.

4. International markets are happy: Global stocks are up today as many European bourses re-opened after the Easter break, taking on the positive tone set by U.S. markets overnight, with sentiment boosted by the Fedex acquisition. Expectations of the first U.S. interest rate increase since June 2006 continue to cool after last Friday's relatively weak employment data.  Meanwhile, most Asian markets closed the day with gains. In Japan, the nation's central bank will release its monetary policy decision on Wednesday. 

Posted to Dr. Stoxx Options Letter on Apr 07, 2015 — 6:04 AM
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