Ahead of the start of trading, premarket futures have been volatile but point to a mixed start following comments by Henry Paulson who said the credit crisis is closer to the end and some Fedspeak from Poole and Bies who expressed reservations about cutting rates further.

Premarket gainers: NETM, OIIM, TTEK, SEPR, AMKR, SVLF, VLCM, LKQX, SYMC, OI, PSYS, AAUK, ICON, HLF, RNOW, OFIX, HERO, TYC, GTI, CELG, IMMU, INTC, ATAR, UFPT, ITRI, and CMCSA.

Premarket losers: PDGI, SFLY, EXPE, GRZ, NWK, JDSU, XOM, WYNN, NWK, IRBT, FSLR, AKAM, MCRS, LVS, INSP, ABX, and CTX.

According to Stock Trader's Almanac, the first trading day in May the Dow has been up 7 of the last 9. However, the worst six months of the year in terms of performance begin today. CXO also provides the following data point - since 1990 13 Mays have been winners and five have been losers with gradual gains throughout the month. Here's how the month has historically performed during this time frame:

To say the least, this has been an unusual year in many respects and we should expect the same for the month ahead. Let's make it a great month!