US drugstore giant Walgreen (WAG) announced a smaller than expected increase in quarterly profit and slowing growth in prescription drug sales. Q3 Sales rose +9.6% to $15.01 billion. Earnings lifted to $572 million ($0.58/share) from $561 million ($0.56/sh) a year earlier. But, analysts had forecast $0.59/share. The stock is probably going to open on the weak side.

The $USD gained +0.85% this morning (9:20am) to 74.05, which hammered $GOLD from last week’s close at 903.70/oz for the futures and 900.85 spot down to a low of 875.35, presently at 880.65. Spot silver is down to 16.63/oz from Friday’s close at 17.35.

The Euro futures are down -0.87% to 1.54.22, so the precious metals are getting pulled down.

August Crude Oil is largely unchanged at about 135.50.

The pre-open DJIA futures were at 11905, a gain of +61, showing a stronger open.

Asia-Pacific markets closed weak today in balancing Friday’s weakness in the US. But European prices in the afternoon session today are up a bit. Tentative I’d say as traders are awaiting the FOMC result on Wednesday afternoon.

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Links & Charts

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International Economics Review

US Economic Calendar.

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International Equity Markets Review

Europe

Here is the latest session data for the bourses of Europe.

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Here is the latest session data for the London stock exchange FTSE.

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Here is the latest session data for the German DAX.

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Here is the latest session data for the French CAC 40.

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Here is the latest session data for the Milan Italy stock exchange MIBTEL.

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Here is the latest session data for the Swiss market index.

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Asia-Pacific

Here is the latest session data for the Asia-Pacific stock exchanges.

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Here is the latest chart for the Japanese Nikkei 225 index.

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Here is the latest chart for the Singapore index .

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Here is the latest chart for the Shanghai Composite index .

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Here is the latest chart for the Hong Kong Hang Seng index .

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Here is the latest chart for the India BSE 30 index .

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Here is the latest chart for the Australian All Ordinaries index .

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US Equity Markets Review

DJIA (interactive) chart

NASDAQ Composite (interactive) chart

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Oil Review

Here is the e-miNY Jul-08 Crude Oil chart.

Interactive Chart of Daily Crude Oil:

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Gold & Precious Metals Review

Spot gold chart for the week

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Spot silver chart for the week

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Forex Review

Here is the chart of the week's trading in the $USD.

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