A Peek Into The Market Before The Trading Starts

Pre-open movers

US stock futures are higher this morning, ahead of the presidential election. Futures for the Dow Jones Industrial Average surged 41 points to 13,094.00 and S&P 500 index futures rose 4.80 points to 1,416.80. Nasdaq 100 futures gained 13.25 points to 2,675.50.

A Peek Into Global Markets

European markets were higher today. The STOXX Europe 600 Index surged 0.55%, London's FTSE 100 Index rose 0.65%, French CAC 40 Index climbed 0.75% and German DAX 30 index gained 0.69%. Asian markets ended mixed, with Japan's Nikkei Stock Average falling 0.36%, China's Shanghai Composite dropping 0.38% and Australia's S&P/ASX 200 rising 0.22%. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index declined 0.28% and India's Sensex gained 0.29%.

Broker Recommendation

Analysts at Jefferies downgraded Express Scripts Holding Company

ESRX

from “buy” to “hold.” The target price for Express Scripts has been lowered from $70 to $56. Express Scripts shares dropped 14.12% to $54.00 in pre-market trading.

Breaking news

MIPS Technologies MIPS today announced it has entered into separate definitive agreements with Bridge Crossing LLC, an acquisition vehicle of Allied Security Trust, and Imagination Technologies Group plc with net proceeds of approximately $7.31 per share in cash to each holder of MIPS common stock. To read the full news, click here.
CNinsure CISG today announced that its board of directors approved a share repurchase program authorizing the Company to repurchase up to $30 million of its American depositary shares by May 6, 2013. To read the full news, click here.
LDK Solar LDK today announced that it has reached an agreement with Japan-based Sumitomo Corporation to terminate their long-term solar wafer supply agreement. To read the full news, click here.
CombiMatrix CBMX today announced that it has entered into a strategic partnership with Pathology. whereby Pathology. will market and distribute CombiMatrix chromosomal microarray tests for the Products of Conception (POC) testing market in designated geographic areas. To read the full news, click here.

Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs