The Asian markets are mixed tonight. The Nikkei is up about 0.3%, and the Shanghai Composite is down 0.4%. On China, here is a worrisome article from the Financial Times: China buyers defer raw material cargos
Chinese consumers of thermal coal and iron ore are asking traders to defer cargos and – in some cases – defaulting on their contracts, in the clearest sign yet of the impact of the country’s economic slowdown on the global raw materials markets.From CNBC: Pre-Market Data and Bloomberg futures: the S&P 500 futures are up about 5, and Dow futures are up 40.
The deferrals and defaults have only emerged in the last few days ...
Excerpt with permission
Oil: WTI futures are down to $91.49 (this is down from $109.77 in February) and Brent is at $107.24 per barrel.
Yesterday:
• Summary for Week Ending May 18th
• Schedule for Week of May 20th
For the monthly economic question contest (for data to be released Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday):