A Peek Into The Markets: U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher Ahead Of Economic Reports

Pre-open movers

U.S. stock futures traded slightly higher in early pre-market trade. The Challenger job-cut report for May is schedule for release at 7:30 a.m. ET, while the ADP national employment report for May will be released at 8:15 a.m. ET. Data on initial jobless claims for the latest week will be released at 8:30 a.m. ET, while the Markit manufacturing PMI for May is schedule for release at 9:45 a.m. ET. The ISM manufacturing index for May and data on construction spending for April will be released at 10:00 a.m. ET. Federal Reserve Governor Jerome Powell is set to speak in New York City at 8:00 a.m. ET.

Futures for the Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 4 points to 21,006.00, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 index futures rose 2.50 points to 2,413.50. Futures for the Nasdaq 100 index climbed 11 points to 5,804.25.

Oil prices traded lower as Brent crude futures fell 2.99 percent to trade at $50.29 per barrel, while US WTI crude futures fell 0.02 percent to trade at $48.31 a barrel. The Energy Information Administration’s weekly report on natural gas stocks is schedule for release at 10:30 a.m. ET, while the EIA’s weekly report on petroleum inventories in the U.S. will be released at 11:00 a.m. ET.

A Peek Into Global Markets

European markets were mostly higher today, with the Spanish Ibex Index dropping 0.21 percent, STOXX Europe 600 Index rising 0.35 percent and German DAX 30 index gaining 0.33 percent. The UK's FTSE index was trading higher by 0.32 percent, while French CAC 40 Index rose 0.70 percent.

In Asian markets, Japan’s Nikkei Stock Average rose 1.07 percent, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index gained 0.58 percent, China’s Shanghai Composite Index declined 0.47 percent and India’s BSE Sensex fell 0.03 percent.

Broker Recommendation

Analysts at Citigroup upgraded Skechers USA Inc SKX from Neutral to Buy.

Skechers shares rose 3.84 percent to $26.50 in pre-market trading.

Breaking news

• Dollar General Corp. DG posted stronger-than-expected results for its first quarter and raised its FY17 sales growth outlook.



• Mobileye NV MBLY reported better-than-expected results for its first quarter on Thursday.



• Ciena Corporation CIEN reported upbeat results for iys second quarter on Thursday.



• Palo Alto Networks Inc PANW reported better-than-expected results for its third quarter and issued a strong earnings forecast for the current quarter.