Good morning traders!

In the US last night, the Dow gained 130 points at 15,885, the Nasdaq rose 29 points
to 4,030 and the S&P 500 added 12 points at 1,787.

In Asia today, the Nikkei was recently up 135 points at 15,287 and the Hang Seng
ahead 75 points at 23,189.

WTI crude oil traded at $97.48 a barrel and Brent crude at $110.47.

Gold settled at $1,245 an ounce.

Good hunting!

G.

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FTSE / DOW

Opening Market Overview

GBP CPI y/y 2.1% 2.2% 2.2%

GBP PPI Input m/m -0.7% -0.5% -0.6%

GBP RPI y/y 2.6% 2.7% 2.6%

GBP Core CPI y/y 1.8% 1.8% 1.7%

GBP HPI y/y 5.5% 4.2% 3.8%

GBP PPI Output m/m -0.2% -1.2% -0.3%

German parliament confirms Angel Merkel for new term

Angela Merkel has been confirmed as German chancellor for a third term, at the head of a grand coalition, by a vote in parliament.

Her centre-right CDU/CSU bloc fell short of an overall majority in September's polls and will share power with the Social Democrats (SDP).

German ZEW Economic Sentiment 62.0 55.3 54.6

GBP CBI Industrial Order Expectations 12 12 11

Ex-divs to take 0.32 points off FTSE 100 on Dec 18

Midday Market Overview

CAD Manufacturing Sales m/m 1.0% -0.2% 0.6%

USD Core CPI m/m 0.2% 0.1% 0.1%

USD CPI m/m 0.0% 0.1% -0.1%

USD Current Account -95B -101B -99B

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USD NAHB Housing Market Index 58 55 54

End-of-day Market Overview