Live Index – Wed, 25 Jun 2014 Premarket

September E-mini S&Ps (ESU14 +0.04%) this morning are up +0.10% and European stocks are down -0.44%. European stocks were undercut on concern that the violence in Ukraine between government forces and rebels may escalate. Ukrainian President Poroshenko called for immediate talks with Russia, Germany and France after pro-Russian rebels shot down a government helicopter in violation of a cease-fire. Three people briefed on the plans said the U.S. is preparing additional sanctions aimed at specific areas of the Russian economy, including energy and technology. On the positive side in Europe, the German Jul Gfk consumer confidence rose more than expected to a 7-1/2 year high. Asian stocks closed lower: Japan -0.71%, Hong Kong -0.06%, China -0.53%, Taiwan -0.04%, Australia -0.57%, Singapore -0.02%, South Korea -0.61%, India -0.22%. China’s Shanghai Stock Index closed lower after a gauge of Chinese consumer sentiment tumbled to the lowest in 11 months. Commodity prices are mixed. Aug crude oil (CLQ14 +0.37%) is up +0.51% and surged nearly +$ 1.50 a barrel in overnight trade after the WSJ reported that federal officials told two U.S. energy companies that they can legally export light crude after minimal processing. Oil prices fell back from their best levels, however, after a spokesman for the U.S. Department of Commerce said that “there has been no change in policy on crude oil exports.” U.S. crude oil exports have been banned for the past 41 years and with U.S. crude production at a 27-1/2 year high, the oil industry is pressuring the Obama administration to end the oil export ban. Aug gasoline (RBQ14 -0.67%) is down -0.62%. Aug gold (GCQ14 -0.54%) is down -0.58%. July copper (HGN14 -0.21%) is up +0.02%. Agriculture and livestock prices are mixed, although July lean hog prices are up +0.52% and posted an all-time nearest-futures high of $ 1.312 a pound in overnight trade. The dollar index (DXY00 -0.01%) is up +0.01%. EUR/USD (^EURUSD) is down -0.02%. USD/JPY (^USDJPY) is down -0.04%. Sep T-note prices (ZNU14 +0.10%) are up +2.5 ticks.

The German Jul GfK consumer confidence rose +0.3 to 8.9, better than expectations of +0.1 to 8.6 and he highest in 7-1/2 years.

UK Jun CBI reported monthly sales unexpectedly fell -12 to 4, weaker than expectations of +7 to 23 and the lowest volume of sales in 7 months.

The China Jun Westpac-MNI consumer sentiment indicator dropped -8.6 to 112.6, the lowest in 11 months.

The Japan May PPI services rose +3.6% y/y, more than expectations of +3.3% y/y and the largest increase in 23-1/2 years.

Today’s May durable goods orders report is expected to be unchanged overall and +0.3% ex-transportation following the April report of +0.6% and +0.3% ex-transportation. Today’s Q1 GDP report is expected to show a downward revision to -1.8% (q/q annualized) from the last estimate of -1.0%. The Treasury today will sell $ 35 billion of 5-year T-notes. The Treasury will then wrap up this week’s T-note package by selling $ 29 billion of 7-year T-notes on Thursday.

There are four of the Russell 1000 companies that report earnings today: General Mills (consensus $ 0.72), Apollo Education Group (0.66), Monsanto (1.55), Bed Bath & Beyond (0.95). Equity conferences this week include: Global Hunter Securities LLC Energy Conference on Tue-Wed, Oppenheimer Consumer Conference on Tue-Wed, Mobile Pharma Biztech 2014 on Wed-Thu.

Whole Foods Markets (WFM -0.74%) was initiated with an ‘Overweight’ at Morgan Stanley with a price target of $ 50.

Harley-Davidson (HOG -0.99%) was downgraded to ‘Hold’ from ‘Buy’ at KeyBanc.

Walgreens (WAG -1.70%) was upgraded to ‘Buy’ from ‘Hold’ at Jefferies with a price target of $ 87.

General Mills (GIS -1.05%) reported Q4 EPS of 67 cents, below consensus of 72 cents.

Valmont (VMI -0.27%) lost 5% in after-hours trading after it lowered guidance on fiscal 2014 EPS view to $ 9.35-$ 9.65 from a prior view of $ 10.00-$ 10.50, well below consensus of $ 10.37.

Lockheed Martin Space Systems (LMT -0.88%) has been awarded a $ 1.86 billion government contract modification to a previously awarded contract for Space-Based Infrared Systems Geosynchronous Earth Orbit 5 and 6 satellites, including performance incentives and options for acoustic testing and launch operations.

Affiliated Managers (AMG -0.89%) will replace Forest Labs (FRX +1.31%) in the S&P 500 as of the close on June 30.

Bristol-Myers (BMY +0.62%) rose 2% in after-hours trading after it said that a Phase 3 study of its drug nivolumab given to patients with advanced melanoma conducted by the independent Data Monitoring Committee showed evidence of superior overall survival rates.

Gabelli reported a 5.39% stake in AMC Networks (AMCX -0.07%) .

Hibbett Sports (HIBB +0.07%) was initiated with an ‘Outperform’ at BMO Capital with a price target of $ 64.

AK Steel (AKS -0.52%) said it will increase the base prices for for all of its stainless steel products, effective with shipments on July 6, by $ 40 per ton for automotive grades and by by $ 200 to $ 300 per ton for all non-automotive grades, depending on the product.

Team (TISI -1.81%) pre-announced that it expects to report adjusted Q4 EPS of 60 cents, below the company’s previously issued adjusted earnings guidance for the current quarter of 65 cents-80 cents per share and below consensus of 71 cents.

Sep E-mini S&Ps (ESU14 +0.04%) this morning are up +2.00 points (+0.10%). The S&P 500 index on Tuesday posted a record high early but then fell back the rest of the day and closed lower on concern the violence in Iraq may escalate after the WSJ reported that Syrian warplanes bombed several areas in western Iraq. Bullish factors included (1) the +3.0 point increase in Jun consumer confidence to 85.2, stronger than expectations of +0.5 to 83.5 and the highest in 6-1/3 years, and (2) the +18.6% surge in May new home sales to 504,000, much higher than expectations of +1.4% to 439,000 and the highest in 6 years. Closes: S&P 500 -0.64%, Dow Jones -0.70%, Nasdaq -0.15%.

Sep 10-year T-notes (ZNU14 +0.10%) this morning are up +2.5 ticks. Sep 10-year T-note futures prices on Tuesday closed higher on increased safe-haven demand after the S&P 500 fell back from a record high and closed lower. Bearish factors included (1) the larger-than-expected increase in May new home sales to the highest in 6 years, and (2) the increase in U.S. Jun consumer confidence to the best level in 6-1/3 years. Closes: TYU4 +9.50, FVU4 +4.25.

The dollar index (DXY00 -0.01%) this morning is up +0.008 (+0.01%). EUR/USD (^EURUSD) is down -0.0003 (-0.02%). USD/JPY (^USDJPY) is down -0.04 (-0.04%). The dollar index on Tuesday closed higher on signs of strength in the U.S. economy after (1) U.S. May new home sales rose to the highest in 6 years and (2) U.S. Jun consumer confidence climbed to the best level in 6-1/3 years. EUR/USD was little changed after the German Jun IFO business climate fell more-than-expected to the lowest level in 6 months. Closes: Dollar Index +0.055 (+0.07%), EUR/USD +0.0004 (+0.03%), USD/JPY +0.017 (+0.02%).

Aug WTI crude oil (CLQ14 +0.37%) this morning is up +54 cent (+0.51%). Aug gasoline (RBQ14 -0.67%) is down -0.0191 (-0.62%). Aug crude and gasoline prices on Tuesday settled mixed. Bullish factors included (1) concern that escalation of violence will lead to reduced oil exports from Iraq, OPEC’s second biggest producer, and (2) better-than-expected U.S. economic data on home sales and consumer confidence, which is positive for fuel demand. Crude oil fell into negative territory after a Saudi official said that Saudi Arabia will respond to any shortage in global oil markets with increased production. Closes: CLQ4 -0.14 (-0.13%) RBQ4 +0.0173 (+0.56%).