The Overnight Report

Wall Street was quiet last night ahead of the post-bell Alcoa report which kicks off earnings season, despite a big drop in oil.

Wrap of events affecting the market on Friday night and the weekend and a preview of the week ahead.

Another quake and tsunami warning in Japan saw the Dow plunge 100 points in minutes last night before the warning was canceled. Dow down 17.

No shock that it’s bail-out time for Portugal while carry trades push the Aussie over 1.04. Dow up 32. (Locked for subscribers until 10:00 AEDT)

Inflation concerns and global unrest had gold pushing up into nominal blue sky territory last night as Wall Street again showed a lack of interest. Dow down 6.

Brent crude pushed over the US$120/bbl mark last night in a quiet session on Wall Street as we await remarks from Ben Bernanke. Dow up 23.

Wrap of events affecting the market on Friday night and the weekend and a preview of the week ahead.

Despite a quiet and slightly down-day on Wall Street, the S&P closed its best March quarter since 1998 with a 5.6% gain. Dow down 30.

The ADP employment result was solid, but traders point to end of quarter window dressing as the influence for last night’s rally on Wall Street. Dow up 71.

Wall Street was boosted by a consumer sentiment report which wasn’t as bad as expected, among other things last night. Dow up 81. (Locked for subscribers until 10:00 AEDST)