World Markets Shudder

Before the open, analysts at Leavitt Brothers run down the latest damage from around the world. They write:

Good morning. Happy Thursday.

Every single world market is down, and most markets are down a bunch.

In Asia/Pacific, Taiwan lost 5.3%, Japan and Hong Kong lost almost 4%, Australia, China and Singapore lost more than 2% and Indonesia and Seoul fell more than 1%.

In Europe, Austria, Belgium and Stockholm are down more than 2% and France, Germany, Amsterdam, Italy, Spain, Switzerland and London are down more than 1%.

Needless to say, futures here in the States indicate a moderate gap down for the cash market. 30 minutes before the open Nas 100 futures are down 6.25 (0.5%) to trade at 1233.25 while SPX futures are down 8 (0.9%) to trade at 897.25.

Mixed with the release of December retail sales numbers that are expected to be brutal, it could be a long day for stocks.