Investors will be looking to see if the Nasdaq can climb back into positive area on the last day of trading this week. The Nasdaq closed down 23 points yesterday after tech-giant Apple predicted weaker sales. Other indexes were mixed. The S&P 500 was flat at 1,494. The Dow Jones industrial average closed up 46 points at 13,825. Futures trading suggests gains at this morning's opening.
- Many international stock markets edged up today but Japan's benchmark index hit a 32-month high as the yen continued to retreat against the dollar and investors cheered the new government's plans to boost the economy. European stocks were mixed. Benchmark crude oil rose above $96 per barrel. The dollar gained against the euro and the yen.
- The Commerce Department releases new home sales for December today. Also, several major companies release their quarterly financial results today. They're Halliburton, Procter & Gamble and South Korean automaker Kia Motors.
- A leading U.S. economist says the eurozone debt crisis isn't over by a long shot. Speaking at the economic forum in Davos, Switzerland, Barry Eichengreen warns that the debt crisis that has shaken Europe to its core could easily erupt again this year unless European leaders move faster to solve their problems.
- Japan's central bank governor has reaffirmed plans for aggressive monetary easing as data showed the consumer price index fell in 2012 for the fourth straight year, highlighting its challenge in fighting deflation. The official tells reporters that it will take substantial effort to achieve a 2 percent inflation target.
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