A Peek Into The Markets: U.S. Stock Futures Up Ahead Of Earnings, Economic Data

Pre-open movers

U.S. stock futures traded higher in early pre-market trade, ahead of economic data and earnings from several companies. Data on initial jobless claims for the latest week is schedule for release at 8:30 a.m. ET and the Philadelphia Fed general conditions index for October will be released at 8:30 a.m. ET. Data on existing home sales for September and the index of leading economic indicators for September will be released at 10:00 a.m. ET. New York Federal Reserve Bank President William Dudley is set to speak in New York at 8:30 a.m. ET.

Futures for the Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 29 points to 18,158.00, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 index futures gained 2.50 points to 2,140.50. Futures for the Nasdaq 100 index gained 5.75 points to 4,836.75.

Oil prices traded lower as Brent crude futures declined 0.97 percent to trade at $52.16 per barrel, while US WTI crude futures also fell 0.98 percent to trade at $51.31 a barrel. The Energy Information Administration’s weekly report on natural gas stocks is schedule for release at 10:30 a.m. ET.

A Peek Into Global Markets

European markets were mostly lower today, with the Spanish Ibex Index rising 0.59 percent, STOXX Europe 600 Index declining 0.12 percent and German DAX 30 index gaining 0.22 percent. The UK's FTSE index was trading lower by 0.03 percent, while French CAC 40 Index rose 0.19 percent.

In Asian markets, Japan’s Nikkei Stock Average rose 1.39 percent, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index gained 0.30 percent, China’s Shanghai Composite Index fell 0.01 percent and India’s BSE Sensex rose 0.52 percent.

Broker Recommendation

Analysts at Guggenheim upgraded Goldman Sachs Group Inc GS from Neutral to Buy.

Goldman Sachs shares rose 0.11 percent to $174.70 in pre-market trading.

Breaking news

• Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc WBA reported mixed results for the fourth quarter. While adjusted earnings topped estimates, revenue fell shy of the expectations. The company introduced outlook for the fiscal year 2017. To read the full news, click here.



• After reporting three straight quarters of beats, PulteGroup Inc PHM earnings for the third quarter failed to meet analysts' estimates. To read the full news, click here.



• American Express Company AXP reported better-than-expected earnings for its third quarter and raised its 2016 forecast. To read the full news, click here.



• eBay Inc EBAY reported upbeat results for its third quarter. However, guidance for the fourth quarter disappointed investors. To read the full news, click here.