A Peek Into The Market Before The Trading Starts

US stock index futures are higher, after better-than-expected factory production data from China. Futures on the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 107 points to 11,103, while S&P 500 futures rose 13.60 points to 1,193. Nasdaq 100 futures advanced 21 points to 2,138.

Positive sentiments ruled the European markets today. While STOXX Europe 600 Index has advanced 1.17%, London's FTSE 100 Index moved up 1.41%. Asian markets ended in the positive territory, with Japan's Nikkei Stock Average adding 0.51%, Australia's S&P/ASX 200 moving up 0.01% and China's Shanghai Composite gaining 0.12%.

Piper Jaffray is maintaining its Neutral rating and $6 price target on CryoLife, Inc.

after the company presented at a Piper Jaffray conference. In a note sent to clients Piper Jaffray writes, "CryoLife began selling PerClot into European markets in October, and to date, the company has shipped product to 14 EU countries. Of note, management commented that it has already received reorders from select centers, which we view as an encouraging sign of clinicians' willingness to switch hemostatic agents. Nonetheless, we think near-term growth in the company's hemostatic agent business will remain challenged given that PerClot is not yet available commercially in the U.S. Looking ahead, however, CryoLife expects to garner an IDE for a pivotal trial for PerClot in 2011, which moves the company one step closer to re-entry of the U.S. market." Shares of CRY gained 17 cents yesterday to close at $5.64.

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