A Peek Into The Market Before The Trading Starts

Pre-open movers US stock futures are higher this morning, ahead of economic data. Futures for the Dow Jones Industrial Average surged 27 points to 13,183.00 and S&P 500 index futures rose 3.20 points to 1,415.50. Nasdaq 100 futures gained 6.25 points to 2,787.50. A Peek Into Global Markets European markets were higher today. The STOXX Europe 600 Index rose 0.13%, French CAC 40 index gained 0.09%. London's FTSE 100 Index moved up 0.39% and German DAX 30 index rose 0.24%. Asian markets ended higher, with Japan's Nikkei Stock Average gaining 0.51%, China's Shanghai Composite rising 0.25% and Australia's S&P/ASX 200 moving up 0.19%. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index gained 1.23% and India's Sensex rose 0.02 Broker Recommendation Analysts at Jefferies downgraded Safeway SWY from “buy” to “hold.” The target price for Safeway has been lowered from $21 to $17. Safeway shares dropped 0.13% to close at $15.97 yesterday. Breaking news

• Netflix NFLX and RADiUS-TWC, the new multi-platform distribution label from The Weinstein Company, announced today a multi-year output deal for a slate of great new films that U.S. Netflix members can watch instantly beginning in early 2013. To read the full news, click here.
• ViaSat VSAT announced that Ronald Wangerin, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of ViaSat, has advised the company of his decision to resign to pursue other opportunities outside of ViaSat. To read the full news, click here.
• Big Lots BIG today announced executive promotions and certain organizational changes.To read the full news, click here.
• Presstek PRST today announced that it has entered into a definitive merger agreement under which it would be acquired by MAI Holdings, Inc., an entity affiliated with American Industrial Partners Capital Fund IV, L.P. To read the full news, click here.