A Peek Into The Markets: U.S. Stock Futures Rise On Final Trading Day Of 2016

Pre-open movers

U.S. stock futures traded higher in early pre-market trade. The Chicago PMI for December is schedule for release at 9:45 a.m. ET.

Futures for the Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 28 points to 19,787.00, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 index futures rose 4 points to 2,249.00. Futures for the Nasdaq 100 index gained 8.25 points to 4,927.00.

Oil prices traded higher as Brent crude futures dropped 0.14 percent to trade at $56.14 per barrel, while US WTI crude futures also rose 0.04 percent to trade at $53.79 a barrel. The Baker Hughes North American rig count report for the latest week will be released at 1:00 p.m. ET.

A Peek Into Global Markets

European markets were lower today, with the Spanish Ibex Index dropping 0.31 percent, STOXX Europe 600 Index declining 0.27 percent and German DAX 30 index dropping 0.19 percent. The UK's FTSE index was trading lower by 0.20 percent, while French CAC 40 Index fell 0.20 percent.

In Asian markets, Japan’s Nikkei Stock Average fell 0.16 percent, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index rose 0.96 percent, China’s Shanghai Composite Index climbed 0.24 percent and India’s BSE Sensex climbed 0.99 percent.

Broker Recommendation

Analysts at Janney Capital downgraded Innocoll Holdings PLC INNL from Buy to Neutral.

Innocoll Holdings shares fell 49.17 percent to $0.90 in pre-market trading.

Breaking news

• Kate Spade & Co KATE is said to be planning to begin a formal sale process next month, according to a source as reported by Bloomberg on Thursday.



• Innocoll Holdings PLC INNL disclosed that it has received a Refusal to File letter from the FDA related to XARACOLL New Drug Application.



• Johnson & Johnson JNJ is said to be working on a deal that would separate Actelion Ltd's ALIOF R&D assets from its commercialized portfolio, according to sources as reported by Reuters.



• Gevo, Inc. GEVO reported a 1-for-20 reverse stock split.