Monday morning, the S&P 500 Index e-mini futures (ES-Z2) traded higher by 4.75 points to $1380.50 per contract. Often on a Monday trading session, the trading volume is light which generally favors the upside for stocks. The bond market was also closed for the Veterans Day holiday. Usually, when the bond market is closed the stock markets will often finish in positive territory. Remember the old saying, when the cat is away the mice will play. Traders should still keep a very close eye on the U.S. Dollar Index, as stocks and commodities will usually trade inverse to the U.S. dollar.
European markets are mixed after Greece voted in a new budget for 2013. The new Greek budget included €9.4 billion of new spending cuts. Greece is expected to receive another bailout payment by the end of the month. Some stocks that could be volatile from this news include the National Bank of Greece (ADR) (NBG), Bank of Ireland (ADR) (IRE), Lloyds Banking Group PLC (ADR) (LYG), and Barclays PLC (ADR) (BCS). The European financial stocks are likely to be volatile for the foreseeable future.
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