Other than the University of Michigan's consumer sentiment index at 9 a.m. CST, there are no official reports scheduled for Friday, the start of a three-day weekend as markets are closed Monday for Presidents Day. Traders will be checking the latest weather forecasts and watching for export sales, even while China celebrates a new year. Friday's markets close at their normal times.
Weather
Bitter cold Arctic air will spread through the northern and central U.S. Friday. This harsh cold brings safety hazards, livestock stress and disruptions to transportation. Precipitation is in store in the Southeast as rain and in the Northwest as snow. The system producing snow in the Northwest crosses into the Plains and Midwest during the weekend.