JakeNovakNews.com
STOCKS/ECONOMY
-Stock futures are lower after Thursday's 1,361-point gain for the Dow and similar percentage gains for the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq. The major indices are on their strongest 3-day winning streak since 1931, with the Dow up more than 20 percent since the close on Monday. But many investors still doubt the markets have truly turned the corner.
-Another reason why futures are lower is likely the threat to the coronavirus stimulus vote in the House. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Kentucky) is considering objecting to a voice vote, thus forcing House members to scramble to get a quorum back to Washington for a recorded vote. That could delay passage.
-The yield on the 10-year Treasury bond is down to 0.75 percent, with the 2-year yield 49 basis points behind at 0.26 percent.
-Gold is a bit down to the $1,641 per ounce level. Bitcoin is at the $6,600 level.
-Asian markets closed mostly higher today, with Japan's Nikkei gaining almost 4 percent at the close. The Hong Kong and Shanghai indices closed modestly higher. Australia was an outlier; falling more than 5 percent.
OIL/ENERGY
-U.S. crude prices are up a bit, but are still at the $22 a barrel level after Thursday's losses.
-Gasoline prices are down to $2.05 a gallon, national average. That's 41 cents less than a month ago today and 62 cents less than a year ago today.
CORONAVIRUS LATEST
-British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has tested positive for the coronavirus. He has mild symptoms.
-President Trump says he spoke to Chinese President Xi last night and that the two countries are "working closely together" to fight the virus.
-President Trump will hear ideas this weekend from advisers on plans to reopen the U.S. economy.
-Johns Hopkins has released more detailed guidelines for avoiding the virus, including tips on how to handle clothing and information on how heat and the virus interact.
-Hungary has announced a two-week lockdown.
-Singapore will jail and fine people who don't keep a 1-meter distance in public.
VENEZUELA CRISIS
-The U.S. has announced several drug trafficking and terrorist indictments of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his inner circle. The charges come with a $15 million reward for Maduro's capture.