A Peek Into The Market Before The Trading Starts - Halliburton (NYSE:HAL)

Pre-open movers

US stock futures are slightly higher this morning, ahead of earnings from McDonald's

MCD

and existing home sales data. Futures for the Dow Jones Industrial Average surged 7 points to 15,513.00 and S&P 500 index futures rose 2.10 points to 1,691.60. Nasdaq 100 futures gained 5.75 points to 3,046.50.

A Peek Into Global Markets

European markets were mostly higher today. The Spanish Ibex Index gained 0.17%, London's FTSE 100 index dropped 0.19%, STOXX Europe 600 Index rose 0.03%, German DAX 30 index rose 0.02% and French CAC 40 Index gained 0.32%. Asian markets ended higher, with China's Shanghai Composite surging 0.61%, Japan's Nikkei Stock Average gaining 0.47% and Australia's ASX/S&P500 rising 0.59%. India's Sensex gained 0.05% and Hong Kong's Heng Seng Index rose 0.25%.

Broker Recommendation

Analysts at Bank of America upgraded Sonoco Products Company

SON

from “neutral” to “buy.” The target price for Sonoco Products has been raised from $38 to $42. Sonoco's shares closed at $37.10 on Friday.

Breaking news

Halliburton Co HAL reported a drop in its second-quarter net profit. To read the full news, click here.
Spartan Stores SPTN and Nash Finch Company NAFC today announced that they have entered into a definitive merger agreement under which Spartan Stores and Nash Finch will combine in an all-stock merger valued at approximately $1.3 billion, including existing net debt at each company. To read the full news, click here.
Carmike Cinemas CKEC today announced it has commenced an underwritten public offering of 4,500,000 shares of its common stock. To read the full news, click here.
Hasbro HAS reported a weaker-than-expected second-quarter profit. To read the full news, click here.

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