A Peek Into The Market Before The Trading Starts

US stock futures are mostly flat in early pre-market trade, ahead of key economic data. The ADP national employment report and GDP growth data will be released today. The FOMC will also announce its policy decision today. Futures for the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 5 points to 15,488.00, while the Standard & Poor's 500 index futures rose 0.60 points to 1,685.30. Futures for the Nasdaq 100 index gained 1.75 points to 3,087.25.

European markets were mostly lower today, with the Spanish Ibex Index falling 0.83%, London's FTSE 100 index gaining 0.59% and STOXX Europe 600 Index dropping 0.10%. German DAX 30 index declined 0.29% and French CAC 40 Index fell 0.41%. The euro-zone unemployment rate came in at 12.1% in June, versus expectations for a 12.2% reading. German jobless claims declined by 7,000 on the month in July, after a revised 13,000 drop in June. French consumer spending fell 0.8% in June versus May. Asian markets ended mostly lower today. China's Shanghai Composite surged 0.19%, while Japan's Nikkei Stock Average dipped 1.45%. Australia's ASX/S&P500 gained 0.19%, India's Sensex tumbled 0.01% and Hong Kong's Heng Seng Index fell 0.32%.

Analysts at Deutsche Bank downgraded Health Management Associates

from “buy” to “hold.” The target price for Health Management Associates has been lowered from $18 to $14. Health Management Associates shares closed at $13.30 yesterday.