Political uncertainty in Italy could impact global markets, but provide a “fantastic buying opportunity.” Like Jennifer Lawrence’s fall at the Oscars, unexpected but a chance to shine ‘comedically‘, Italy’s elections have shocked investors but provided attractive entry points to strong international firms, insulated from domestic woes (as well as offer up some funny one-liners from candidates).
Following the market opening Thursday, the Dow traded up 0.03 percent to 13,038.87 while the NASDAQ rose 0.37 percent to 2,984.75. The S&P also rose, increasing 0.09 percent to 1,410.48.
Projected U.S. wheat supplies for 2012/13 are lowered 51 million bushels with reduced carryin and lower forecast winter wheat production. Beginning stocks are lowered 40 million bushels with a 10-million-bushel increase in food use and a 30-million-bushel increase in exports for 2011/12.
Markets are off to a positive start in the early week, with two key developments over the weekend seen as the primary drivers for the initial surge in risk correlated assets. The news that EU assistance to the Spanish banking sector in the amount of Eur100B has well exceeded estimates of most analysts, while Chinese data was not as bad as many had feared. Both of these developments have resulted in a market rally driven by the expectation that the global economy will continue to be supported by proponomics.
U.S. traders are coming off the best week thus far in 2012. The EU announcement of a plan to bailout Spanish banks is helping to continue the market drive into the start of the new trading week.
