A Peek Into The Market Before The Trading Starts

Pre-open movers US stock futures are higher this morning, as investors are awaiting economic data. Futures for the Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped 51 points to 12,439.00 and S&P 500 index futures rose 6.20 points to 1,294.40. Nasdaq 100 futures surged 11 points to 2,378.00. A Peek Into Global Markets European markets were higher today. The STOXX Europe 600 Index rose 0.84%, London's FTSE 100 Index moved up 0.38%, French CAC 40 index rose 1.29% and German DAX 30 index surged 1.48%. Asian markets ended lower, with Japan's Nikkei Stock Average dropping 0.7373%, China's Shanghai Composite declining 0.47% and Australia's S&P/ASX 200 moving down 0.11%. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index fell 0.2953% and India's Sensex dipped 0.86%. Broker Recommendation Analysts at Jefferies & Company downgraded ConocoPhillips COP from “buy” to “hold.” The target price for ConocoPhillips has been lowered from $85 to $75. ConocoPhillips shares fell 0.51% to $71.64 in after-hours trading. Breaking news

• Openwave Systems Inc OPWV announced today that its Board of Directors has determined to pursue strategic alternatives for the company's mediation and messaging products business. To read the full news, click here.
• Crown Castle International Corp CCI announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire from Wireless Capital Partners, LLC a portfolio of ground lease related assets for approximately $180 million in cash and the assumption of approximately $320 million of debt. To read the full news, click here.
• Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation COG today announced that in the fourth quarter of 2011 the Company realized over $3.90 per Mcf for its Marcellus gas in Northeast Pennsylvania.To read the full news, click here.
• Williams-Sonoma Inc WSM lowered its Q4 earnings forecast. To read the full news, click here.