Morning Market Report 4/3/2014

The KUIK Morning Market Report for Thursday, April 3:
Markets are up slightly.
Index Direction Change Units Last Time Change
Dow Up                       9 points           16,582 7:16 AM
S&P500 Up 0.0% percent             1,891             0.33
Nasdaq Composite Down -0.1% percent             4,273            (3.69)
30 Year Treasury Down                      (2) Basis Points               3.63 Annual Yield
New claims for unemployment benefits rose by 16,000 to a seasonally adjusted 326,000 in the week ended March 29, according to the Labor Department. Economists  expected 320,000 from last week’s revised 310,000. 
The Commerce Department reports the U.S. trade deficit climbed 7.7% to $42.3 billion in February to mark a five-month high, mainly because the nation exported less petroleum and commercial jet aircraft. Economists expected $39.7 billion.  The trade gap with China dropped to an unadjusted $20.9 billion from $27.8 billion in January, the lowest level in nearly one year. The deficit with Mexico increased to $4 billion from $2.8 billion.
Announced layoffs dropped last month, and total planned cuts over the three months through March hit the lowest level for a first quarter in 19 years, according to outplacement firm   Challenger, Gray & Christmas. There were  34,000 announced layoffs in March, down from 42,000 in February and 49,000 in March 2013.
Serving the West Side first, I am Bill Roller of BR Capital for AM 1360 KUIK.
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/us-jobless-claims-rise-to-one-month-high-2014-04-03
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/february-trade-deficit-rises-77-to-423-billion-2014-04-03-891307
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/planned-layoffs-fall-in-march-challenger-2014-04-03
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