PRE MARKET

Housing starts have been stronger than expected which is boosting the futures.

ICSC-UBS store sales shows increases in part due to warmer than expected weather but, warns that high gas prices are hurting the consumer.

The Asian markets are relatively strong this morning but Europe is considerably weak .

The Fed starts their 2 day meeting today in which they are expected to keep interest rates the same.

I expect the US equity market to open higher but weaken throughout the trading day.