After a solid session in Japan to kick off the new year, the US futures are higher by about 0.75% 30 minutes before the first opening bell of 2010 rings.
- Helping push stocks higher were better than expected economic numbers out of China; manufacturing grew by the best pace in 5 years.
- The UK Manufacturing PMI hit the highest level in 25 months.
- In M&A news, Novartis (NVS) will buy the remaining shares of Alcan (ACL) they do not already own. Oddly, both stocks are trading lower.
- Semiconductor sales were up over 8% in November.
- Commodities starting the year higher with Gold and Oil both up by about 2%.
More to come throughout the trading day.
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