SPI futures are pointing to a flat to slightly positive start this morning, after US markets put in a mixed performance overnight.

The Dow and broader S&P 500 managed to post gains, whilst the tech-heavy Nasdaq slipped lower; financials were the best performers once again.

Commodities were also mixed; gold and oil slipped whilst iron ore rebounded, adding 3.5%.

What’s on today:

Local data: Speeches from RBA governor Lowe at 9.15am and assistant governor Kent at 11am; WBC-MI consumer confidence December

Overseas data: Japan core machine orders October; German CPI November; UK jobless claims change October, ILO unemployment rate August; US CPI November, Fed policy meeting concludes with statement and news conference hosted by chair Janet Yellen

Key numbers:

SPI futures up four points (+0.1%) to 6022

AUD +0.3% to 75.50 US cents

On Wall St: Dow +0.6%, S&P 500 +0.3%, Nasdaq -0.1%

In New York, BHP +0.2% Rio -0.6%

In Europe: Stoxx 50 +0.5%, FTSE +0.6%, CAC +0.8%, DAX +0.5%

Spot gold -0.2% to $US1239.35 an ounce

Brent crude -1.7% to $US63.59 a barrel

US oil -1.5% to $US57.14 a barrel

Iron ore +3.5% to $US71.25 a tonne

Dalian iron ore -0.8% to 498.5 yuan

LME aluminium -0.3% to $US2016 a tonne

LME copper -0.1% to $US6663 a tonne

10-year bond yield: US 2.42%, Germany 0.31%, Australia 2.51%

What happened overnight:

Source: Commsec