This morning the S&P 500 e-mini futures(ES M1) are soaring higher by 12.50 points to 1281.50 per contract. The rally in the futures comes as the Japanese Nikkei 225 Index rose by 2.72 percent last night. The strength of the Japanese Yen has also pulled back sharply as the G7 said they will intervene to devalue the Japanese Yen.

This morning the S&P 500 e-mini futures(ES H1) are actually trading higher by 1.00 point to 1321.25 despite the surge higher in oil. Oil is trading higher today by $2.18 to $106.60 a barrel. This is a new 52 week high for crude as the violence in Libya continues to escalate. Other nations in the Middle East and Northern Africa continue to face protests and riots.

Cliffs Natural Resources Inc.(NYSE:CLF) is a leading iron ore pellet producer. The stock is trading higher today by $1.81 to $94.55 a share. The move higher comes as the U.S. Dollar Index has sold off sharply and many commodity stocks are catching a bid higher today. Short term traders should watch the $95.20 and $96.00 levels for intra-day resistance.

Last night, the important Shanghai Index(Chinese market) rallied higher by 1.38 percent. This type of rally in the Chinese markets will often help lift the popular commodity stocks. This morning many leading commodity stocks such as Freeport McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc.(NYSE:FCX), Southern Copper Corp.(NYSE:SCCO), and Cliffs Natural Resources Inc.(NYSE:CLF), are all trading sharply higher.