A Peek Into The Markets: U.S. Stock Futures Mixed Ahead Of Economic Data

Pre-open movers

U.S. stock futures traded mixed in early pre-market trade. The Consumer Price Index for November, Data on initial jobless claims for the recent week, the Philadelphia Fed general conditions index for December, the Empire State general business conditions index for December and the current account report for the third quarter will be released at 8:30 a.m. ET. The Markit manufacturing PMI for December will be released at 9:45 a.m. ET, while the housing market index for December is schedule for release at 10:00 a.m. ET.

Futures for the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 9 points to 19,774.00, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 index futures slipped 1.75 points to 2,250.25. Futures for the Nasdaq 100 index fell 8.50 points to 4,924.25.

Oil prices traded higher as Brent crude futures gained 0.58 percent to trade at $54.21 per barrel, while US WTI crude futures also rose 0.19 percent to trade at $52.19 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 higher today, with the Spanish Ibex Index rising 0.71 percent, STOXX Europe 600 Index gaining 0.51 percent and German DAX 30 index gaining 0.60 percent. The UK's FTSE index was trading higher by 0.05 percent, while French CAC 40 Index climbed 0.62 percent.

In Asian markets, Japan’s Nikkei Stock Average rose 0.10 percent, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index fell 1.77 percent, China’s Shanghai Composite Index fell 0.73 percent and India’s BSE Sensex declined 0.31 percent.

Broker Recommendation

Analysts at Morgan Stanley upgraded Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. AMD from Underweight to Equal-Weight.

Advanced Micro Devices shares rose 1.04 percent to $10.66 in pre-market trading.

Breaking news

• Scholastic Corp SCHL reported better-than-expected earnings for its fiscal second quarter on Thursday.



• Sanderson Farms, Inc. SAFM reported stronger-than-expected earnings for its fourth quarter on Thursday.



• Eli Lilly and Co LLY issued a strong forecast for next year.



• Pier 1 Imports Inc PIR reported stronger-than-expected results for its third quarter and named Terry London as interim president and CEO.