ECB bets placed, markets revert to holding pattern - The ASX 200 looks set to play catch up today to gains recorded offshore with SPI futures pointing to a...

ECB bets placed, markets revert to holding pattern - The ASX 200 looks set to play catch up today to gains recorded offshore with SPI futures pointing to a rise of 17pts on the open. While the index is due a bounce, it has underperformed most major international bourses of late, one suspects that volumes will be down as investors await tomorrow evenings key ECB policy meeting. From a sector perspective gold producers should benefit from an ongoing bid in spot while BHP's Q4 production report will be influential on resources given its sector weighting. With domestic consumer confidence figures also on tap look for movements in consumer discretionary names post-release, particularly if well away from expectation. (VIEW LINK)