A Peek Into The Markets: U.S. Stock Futures Mixed Ahead Of Monsanto Earnings

Pre-open movers

U.S. stock futures traded mixed in early pre-market trade, ahead of earnings from Monsanto Company MON. A report on U.S. international trade in goods for May will be released at 8:30 a.m. ET, while the pending home sales index for May is schedule for release at 10:00 a.m. ET.

Futures for the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 13 points to 21,304.00, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 index futures rose 2 points to 2,422.50. Futures for the Nasdaq 100 index declined 18.75 points to 5,657.75.

Oil prices traded lower as Brent crude futures fell 0.21 percent to trade at $46.55 per barrel, while US WTI crude futures dropped 0.47 percent to trade at $44.03 a barrel. The Energy Information Administration’s weekly report on petroleum inventories in the U.S. will be released at 10:30 a.m. ET.

A Peek Into Global Markets

European markets were mostly lower today, with the Spanish Ibex Index rising 0.01 percent, STOXX Europe 600 Index declining 0.35 percent and German DAX 30 index dropping 0.46 percent. The UK's FTSE index was trading lower by 0.01 percent, while French CAC 40 Index fell 0.29 percent.

In Asian markets, Japan’s Nikkei Stock Average fell 0.47 percent, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index declined 0.61 percent, China’s Shanghai Composite Index dropped 0.56 percent and India’s BSE Sensex fell 0.40 percent.

Broker Recommendation

Analysts at JP Morgan initiated coverage on Altaba Inc AABA with an Overweight rating and a $65.00 price target.

Altaba shares fell 0.26 percent to $53.50 in pre-market trading.

Breaking news

• Koninklijke Philips NV (ADR) PHG announced plans to acquire Spectranetics Corp SPNC for $38.50 per share.



• KB Home KBH reported better-than-expected results for its second quarter on Tuesday.



• First Potomac Realty Trust FPO agreed to be acquired by Government Properties Income Trust GOV in a transaction valued at $1.4 billion, including debt.



• General Mills, Inc. GIS posted upbeat earnings for its fourth quarter on Wednesday.