Platinum was higher early Wednesday even when stock-index futures, crude oil and the euro were lower.

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The Euro is sliding against the dollar and European stock bourses and U.S. stock-index futures fell overnight.

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Stock-index futures will follow, designed to profit from the leap in cross-border share dealing that is expected once stock prices are reset in euros.

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Those who were buying puts and shorting stock-index futures early in the week were very happy, but the last hour rally Thursday took away many smiles.

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Singapore, for example, is the center for trade in Japanese stock index futures, and it once tried - but failed - to launch a Hong Kong-derived product.

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U.S. stock index futures were trading modestly higher Thursday morning on some follow-through buying strength.

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The gains for U.S. stock index futures also came ahead of the conclusion of a two-day Federal Reserve policy meeting.

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Instead of owning one, own index futures, which trade at a discount whenever stock yields are higher than short-term interest rates.

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