Futures are whipsawing between positive and negative territory as investors look for direction on this first day of the new quarter. Dow futures are trading higher, up 68 points to 13,146. Nasdaq 100 futures are slightly negative along with the S&P 500 futures. Both are down 2 points and .75 points respectively.

After a near record-setting pace of the first quarter, investors are looking for confirmation of their perception on the economy. ISM numbers and the construction spending report are both slated for release at 10am EST. Analysts are expecting a rise in the ISM number despite regional weakness in recent reports.

Some analysts are starting to wonder if this will be a repeat of last year. We had a top around this point and then a low set in September. That is the reason the data has to quit missing expectations if the rally is expected to continue. Plus global concerns remain in the mix.

In Europe, Spanish and Italians markets are being heavily his in trading. Both are down over 1%. Other EU markets are drifting lower.

An official survey out of China on manufacturing showed a much better than expected improvement in March. This flies in the face of HSBC survey and one has to question the validity of the government’s survey. [Read more...]