S&P 500 Index Futures Trading Lower

Joel Elconin is the co-host of Benzinga's #PreMarket Prep, a daily trading idea radio show.

S&P 500 index futures were trading lower by four points at 1984 in Thursday's session. The issue has resistance ahead of Wednesday's close (1988, the highest close since the Flash Crash), only reaching 1987.75 in pre-market trading and 1986.75 during the regular session.

The top 10 components of the index are mixed, with five up and five down. Leading the way on the downside is the indexes biggest component Apple Inc. AAPL shares which are trading lower $1.07 at $115.34. It is followed by General Electric GE shares which are trading lower by $0.50 at $25.43. However, General Electric went ex-dividend on the day, so it was only down $0.27 from its adjusted close of $25.70.

Leading the charge on the upside is Microsoft Corporation MSFT shares which are trading higher by $0.34 at $44.64. It is attempting to close higher for the fifth time in the last six trading sessions. Is is followed by Pfizer Inc. PFE shares which are trading higher by $0.12 at $33.30.