The Reuters/Jefferies CRB index increased 0.3% today as firmer crude oil, copper, and platinum prices more than offset weaker agricultural futures as the U.S. and China approached the signing of the phase one trade deal in Washington.

On the U.S. economic calendar this week, we’ll get new readings on inflation, retail sales, regional manufacturing, housing starts & building permits, industrial production, and consumer sentiment.

Last week the Bureau of Labor Statistics released the Employment Situation for December 2019, here are some of the highlights:

Ferrous Sticking with the trade, the latest figures from the Census Bureau shows U.S. ferrous scrap exports (excluding stainless steel and alloy steel scrap) slipped from 1.48 million tons in October to just under 1.44 million tons