ASX to slide; US tech giants shine, stimulus talks frustrate

SPI futures are down 0.5% and point to early losses for the ASX200 on Friday. Tech giants shone in another volatile Wall Street session.
Republicans and Democrats continue to haggle over the size and shape of the nation's next stimulus package. Mixed economic data also contributed to a see-sawing offshore session.
Oil prices took a dive overnight on pandemic-fuelled fears over global demand. Iron ore is flat.
Stem cell biotech Mesoblast has confirmed the US Food and Drug Administration has demanded more evidence that its flagship product works before it gets approved

Pinned post from 8.31am

Good morning

Good morning - TGIF - and welcome to Markets Live. Alex Druce is in the chair today and will be steering you into the weekend.

Early losses are tipped for the ASX200 even after Wall Street finished higher on an overnight tech surge.

Stimulus talks between Republicans and Democrats continue to frustrate markets. Mixed economic data also contributed to a volatile offshore session.

This blog is not intended as financial advice