Index contract starts the day with a decline in VIOP

The February-term index contract traded at 8,661.00, 0.2 percent below the previous normal session close, during the opening session.

The index contract, which followed a bullish trend yesterday, completed the normal session at 8,676.50 points, 1.7 percent above its previous close. The index contract fell to 8,668.00 points in the evening session.

Analysts stated that global equity markets are following a mixed trend due to increased volatility stemming from technology stocks and geopolitical risks, adding that data to be released in the US today and the minutes of the US Federal Reserve (Fed) meeting are in the focus of investors.

Stating that the intense data agenda, in addition to ongoing geopolitical risks, is affecting the direction of asset prices, analysts noted that signals regarding the bank's future policies could be obtained from the Fed's meeting minutes.

On the other hand, while eyes are turned to inflation data domestically today, economists participating in the AA Finance Inflation Expectation Survey estimate that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) will increase by 3.19 percent in December.

Analysts noted that today, inflation data domestically, and the unemployment rate in Germany and the JOLTS job openings data in the US, as well as the minutes of the Fed's last meeting, will be monitored abroad, adding that technically, 8,700 and 8,800 points are resistance levels for the index contract, while 8,600 and 8,500 levels are in the support position.

News Source: 12punto