A HORRIBLE MORNING FOR THE ECONOMY

After global manufacturing giant Caterpillar had poor fourth quarter results and gave a gloomy outlook for 2015, economic data from the US has added to more bad news for the economy this morning.

Durable goods orders were a HUGE miss, declining 3.4% against expectations for a 0.3% increase.

Durable goods orders excluding defense and transportation orders, referred to as "core" capex, declined 0.6% in December.

Last month's numbers were also revised sharply lower, with November's orders revised down to -2.1% from a prior number of -0.7%.

Following these results, Dow futures were extending their losses, falling as much as 300 points, while S&P 500 futures were down 27 points, and Nasdaq futures were down 66 points.

Expectations were for orders to rise 0.3% in December, up from a 0.7% decline in November.

More to come ...