A Peek Into The Markets: US Stock Futures Edge Higher Ahead Of Earnings

Pre-open movers

U.S. stock futures traded slightly higher in early pre-market trade. Federal Reserve Member of the Board of Governors Michelle Bowman is set to speak in Frankfurt, Germany at 11:40 a.m. ET.

Futures for the Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 21 points to 26,775 while the Standard & Poor’s 500 index futures traded rose 7.1 points to 2,995.25. Futures for the Nasdaq 100 index rose 24.5 points to 7,905.25.

Oil prices traded lower as Brent crude futures fell 1% to trade at $58.84 per barrel, while US WTI crude futures fell 0.8% to trade at $53.36 a barrel.

A Peek Into Global Markets

European markets were higher today, with the Spanish Ibex Index rising 0.5%, STOXX Europe 600 Index gaining 0.4% and German DAX 30 index gaining 0.7%. The UK's FTSE index was trading higher by 0.1%, while French CAC 40 Index rose 0.2%.

In Asian markets, Japan’s Nikkei Stock Average rose 0.25%, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index gained 0.02%, China’s Shanghai Composite Index rose 0.05% and India’s BSE Sensex rose 0.63%.

Broker Recommendation

Analysts at UBS downgraded The Boeing Company BA from Buy to Neutral and lowered the price target from $470 to $375.

Boeing shares fell 1.5% to $339 in pre-market trading.

Breaking News

• Halliburton Company HAL reported in-line earnings for its third quarter, while sales missed views.
• Smith & Nephew plc SNN shares fell around 8% in pre-market trading after the company's CEO said he would step down to pursue other opportunities..
• United Therapeutics Corporation UTHR announced the FDA approval of updated label for orenitram reflecting results of FREEDOM-EV study.
• Quaker Houghton KWR lowered its FY19 adjusted EBITDA guidance from year-over-year growth to down around 2-4%.