US Futures Remain On Neutral Ground

With investors adopting a “wait and see” approach before companies start reporting today, US stock futures remained in a close range. While futures at the S&P 500 gained just eight-tenths of a point to 1142.40, those at the Nasdaq 100 lost a half point to 1882.00. Dow Jones Industrial Average futures rose 8 points.

The highlights of today’s session are the release of retail sales for December and weekly jobless claims. According to economists polled by MarketWatch, retail sales should rise by 0.6% and jobless claims should come in at 433,000.

European stocks moved up for a second consecutive session, led by banks and miners, ahead of the European Central Bank's rate decision. The European Central Bank is scheduled to meet today, after rating agency Moody's commented that the Greek economy faces the risk of a "slow death". When ECB President Jean-Claude Trichet addresses a press conference today, he is expected to announce no changes in the interest rate, which currently stands at 1%.

Meanwhile, the Pan-European Dow Jones Stoxx 600 gained 0.7% and the Asian bourses ended their day at a higher level.