A Peek Into The Markets: U.S. Stock Futures Mostly Higher Ahead Of Earnings

Pre-open movers

U.S. stock futures traded mostly higher in early pre-market trade, ahead of earnings from several companies. Futures for the Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 22 points to 20,967, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 index futures fell 1.25 points to 2,383.75. Futures for the Nasdaq 100 index gained 2 points to 5,550.25.

Oil prices traded lower as Brent crude futures fell 0.61 percent to trade at $51.78 per barrel, while US WTI crude futures slipped 0.61 percent to trade at $49.26 a barrel. The Energy Information Administration’s weekly report on petroleum inventories 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 dropping 0.56 percent, STOXX Europe 600 Index rising 0.02 percent and German DAX 30 index dropping 0.16 percent. The UK's FTSE index was trading lower by 0.04 percent, while French CAC 40 Index slipped 0.02 percent.

In Asian markets, Japan’s Nikkei Stock Average rose 1.10 percent, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index rose 0.50 percent, China’s Shanghai Composite Index rose 0.20 percent and India’s BSE Sensex rose 0.63 percent.

Broker Recommendation

Analysts at Susquehanna upgraded Genesco Inc. GCO from Neutral to Positive.

Genesco shares fell 1.42 percent to close at $51.95 on Tuesday.

Breaking news

• Twitter Inc TWTR reported stronger-than-expected earnings for its first quarter on Wednesday.



• Procter & Gamble Co PG reported upbeat earnings for its third quarter, but revenue missed expectations.



• Hershey Co HSY reported better-than-expected earnings for its first quarter.



• PepsiCo, Inc. PEP reported stronger-than-expected earnings for its first quarter.