Monday, December 14, 2009

Market Notes - December 14, 2009

Stock index futures pointed to a positive open for Wall Street as investors showed positive reaction to news that Abu Dhabi would provide $10 billion of aid to neighbor Dubai. Futures were also lifted by some early deal news. Exxon Mobil announced it will acquire XTO Energy in an all-stock deal worth $41 billion. In other financial news, Citigroup announced it has reached agreement with the government to repay $20 billion it has received in TARP funds. The bulk of the bank’s payment will be funded through a $17 billion common stock offering.

There is no major economic data scheduled for release today or Friday, but there is a long list of reports due on the other days. On the inflation front, we get new numbers for the CPI and PPI. The cyclically sensitive goods-producing sector gets updates on housing starts and industrial production. And at mid-week, the Fed announces its final policy decision for the year.