Melly Alazraki
Toronto, Canada - http://
Before the Bell: Futures Mixed Ahead of Inflation, Employment Data
U.S. stock futures were mixed Thursday morning ahead of several key readings on employment and inflation due out this morning. However, renewed concerns over the European nations' support for Greece in its debt crisis weighed on markets.Stocks closed higher on Wednesday, continuing the steady climb of the past few weeks. But if world markets are any indication, Thursday might open lower as Greece's Prime Minister George Papandreou said his country needs a firmer eurozone bailout plan. He warned his country would not be able to make planned deficit cuts unless it can borrow money cheaply. If it cannot get the euronations help, Greece may have to seek assistance from the International Monetary Fund.
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Before the Bell: Futures Higher After Fed, Ahead of PPI
U.S. stock futures advanced Wednesday morning, in what would seem to be a continuation of Tuesday's gains following the Federal Reserve's statement about the economy and its policy. Investors will also sink their teeth on some inflation data.U.S. stocks rose Tuesday, with the Dow industrials adding 0.4% and closing higher for a sixth straight time, the S&P 500 gaining 0.8% and finishing at a 17-month high, and the Nasdaq jumping 0.7%. The Federal Reserve, as expected, kept rates unchanged and said it would keep interest rates low for the foreseeable future. Also, Standard & Poor's rating agency said it would not necessarily downgrade Greece.
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Before the Bell: Futures Slightly Higher Ahead of Fed
U.S. stock futures advanced somewhat Tuesday as investors turn their attention to the Federal Reserve policy meeting with the upcoming decision on interest rates and the accompanying statement. Meanwhile, investors could sink their teeth on some housing data.It became clear Monday, after the session closed with stocks little changed, that investors are waiting for the Fed. The Federal Open Market Committee decision is due at 2:15 p.m. Eastern. While the Fed is expected to keep interest rates unchanged near zero, it is the statement that will be in focus. As the economy is improving, the Fed will have to start tightening at some point -- hiking rates -- to combat inflation. The question for investors is when. So far, the Fed has promised to keep rates low for an "extended period." But many expect this language, at least, to change soon, which may pressure stocks lower.
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Before the Bell: Futures Lower Ahead of Data
U.S. stock futures traded in a narrow, slightly lower range Monday morning. Investors remained concerned about possible monetary tightening in China, the growing risks to credit ratings of Triple-A nations after pushing Wall Street to 18-month highs. Attention was also turned to the upcoming Federal Reserve meeting.The Federal Reserve is scheduled to meet Tuesday. While it is unlikely to raise a key interest rate from historic lows, the policy statement, released Wednesday, may contain clues as to when the Fed might make a move.
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Before the Bell: Futures Advance Ahead of Data
U.S. stock futures advanced Friday morning, indicating Wall Street is ready to continue climbing higher as investors await economic data, including reports on retail sales and consumer confidence. U.S. stocks gained Thursday for the third straight session with S&P 500 finishing at 17-month high. On Friday, several economic reports could set the tone. At 8:30 a.m. Eastern, February retail sales figures are due. Economists expect to see that sales fell 0.2% in February, following a 0.5% dip in January, according to Briefing.com. These readings, some economists say, may be distorted due to the weather in February, mostly the snowstorms.
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Before the Bell: Futures Lower After China Inflation Data
U.S. stock futures fell slightly Thursday ahead of weekly jobs data and after a report on rising Chinese inflation.Investors mostly worried Thursday China may have to begin tightening its policies after a report released Thursday showed faster-than-expected inflation, while growth remained rapid and capital investment heavy. The consumer price index rose 2.7% in February from a year earlier, accelerating from a 1.5% increase in January's CPI. MarketWatch reports analysts had estimated a 2.4% rise. The stimulus measures the government has enacted in light of the global economic recession may have to be withdrawn.
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Before the Bell: Futures Inch Higher Ahead of Inventory Data
U.S. stock futures inched higher Wednesday morning. News is thin this morning, save some corporate deals and later on inventory data -- the first major economic release of the week. Also, some data from China showed that exports and imports grew faster than expected, boosting confidence regarding the global economic recovery.On Tuesday, Wall Street market the one-year anniversary of the recession's lows and the march to recovery since. U.S. stocks finished with slight gains. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 11 points, while the Nasdaq finished at 2010 closing highs.
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Before the Bell: Futures Lower on the Anniversary of Markets Low
U.S. stock futures were slightly lower Tuesday morning as Wall Street marked the one-year anniversary of the markets' bottom. With little in way of economic news, investors took a step back from the recent weeks' rally and examined a myriad of earnings results -- not all of which were positive.It was one year ago that the Dow industrials and broader S&P 500 finished the day at their lowest level in 12 years. The Dow has rallied about 62% since then. While stocks finished mixed on Monday with very low volumes, the Nasdaq has closed at an 18-months high.
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Before the Bell: Futures Higher Following AIG Deal
U.S. stock futures were only slightly higher Monday morning despite a fresh batch of deal news as investors took a breather from the rally on Friday brought on by nonfarm payroll data that took the Nasdaq to 18-months high.This morning, however, with no major economic data out, investors are left to ponder the recent AIG deal. American International Group (AIG) said it will sell its overseas life and health insurance unit, Alico, for $15.5 billion to MetLife (MET) -- $6.8 billion in cash, and the rest in stock and equity units. This sale follows last week's sale of AIA to Prudential PLC (PUK), as AIG attempts to repay billions in government aid. The cash portion of the sale will be used to reduce a $47.9 billion investment in AIG by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
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Before the Bell: Futures Higher Ahead of Employment Data
U.S. stock futures were higher Friday ahead of a key employment report that would shed more light on the U.S. economy. Meanwhile, following a successful bond sale, worries about Greece's debt problems eased.At 8:30 a.m. Eastern, the Labor Department will release the February figures for nonfarms payrolls. Economists are expecting job losses in the U.S. probably accelerated in February as severe weather forced some employers to temporarily close. According to Briefing.com, economists expect payrolls dropped by 68,000 workers last month after falling by 20,000 in January. The unemployment rate, probably rose to 9.8% from 9.7% the previous month.
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Before the Bell: Futures Drift Ahead of Jobs Data
U.S. stock futures were little changed Thursday morning as investors awaited weekly jobs figures, as well as housing and factory data and retail sales. What Wall Street is really waiting for is Friday's nonfarm payroll numbers.This morning is a direct continuation of Wednesday's finish, as stocks ended the session relatively flat. An hour before the opening bell, at 8:30 a.m. Eastern, data for weekly initial and continuing jobless claims are due. Initial jobless claims are expected to decline 25,000 from the prior week to a total of 470,000 in the week ended Feb. 27, according to a Briefing.com.
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Before the Bell: Futures Mixed After Jobs Data
U.S. stock futures were mixed Wednesday, as Greece took measures to deal with its financial woes and improve its fiscal burden. In focus this morning is labor market data that could shed more light on the progress -- or lack thereof -- on this all important front. Challenger, Gray & Christmas Inc. outplacement firm already said Wednesday that the pace of U.S. job cuts slowed last month to the lowest level in 3.5 years.The firm said that 42,090 job cuts were announced in February, 41% less than January's 71,482 cuts, and 77% lower than the year-ago period. It was the lowest total since July 2006. Since peaking in January of last year, monthly job cuts have mostly declined steadily.
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Before the Bell: Futures Advance with Focus on Car Sales
U.S. stock futures advanced Tuesday morning, pointing to a second day of gains as signs of progress in the Greek debt crisis helped stabilize European markets. Meanwhile, merger activity continued as investors awaited what is likely to be a disappointing month for U.S. car sales. Merger Monday helped lift Wall Street as deal news had the Nasdaq and S&P 500 gaining over 1%, putting both back in the black for the year. The Dow industrials, although adding 0.8% Monday, is still down 0.2% in 2010.
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Before the Bell: Stock Futures Advance After AIG; Ahead of Data
U.S. stock futures advanced Monday following a flurry of deals over the weekend and Monday, most notably, the sale of American International Group's Asia operations. Investors also awaited several economic reports, including data on manufacturing and consumer spending. Meanwhile, hopes of a Greek bailout lifted world markets.On Friday, following some encouraging news that GDP was revised higher, but also some disappointing news from the housing market, Wall Street closed relatively unchanged. Today, however, deal activity seems to be pushing markets higher.
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Before the Bell: Futures Mixed Ahead of Data, After AIG
U.S. stock futures were mixed Friday ahead of the second GDP estimate and more housing data, and after American International Group reported a multi-billion-dollar loss. Remaining in focus are sovereign debt problems across European nations.At 8:30 a.m., the second GDP estimates for the fourth quarter of last year is due. Economists expect the economy grew at a fast 5.7% pace, according to Briefing.com. While manufacturing has likely accounted roughly two-thirds of the growth, the reason isn't strong consumer demand, but low stockpiles that needed replenishing.
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