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

Pre-open movers

U.S. stock futures traded slightly higher in early pre-market trade. Futures for the Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 12 points to 20,030.00, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 index futures rose 1 point to 2,289. Futures for the Nasdaq 100 index gained 3.25 points to 5,180.00.

Oil prices traded lower as Brent crude futures declined 0.35 percent to trade at $54.86 per barrel, while US WTI crude futures fell 0.63 percent to trade at $51.84 a barrel. The Energy Information Administration’s weekly report on petroleum inventories is schedule for release 10:30 a.m. ET.

A Peek Into Global Markets

European markets were mostly higher today, with the Spanish Ibex Index gaining 0.32 percent, STOXX Europe 600 Index rising 0.48 percent and German DAX 30 index gaining 0.13 percent. The UK's FTSE index was trading lower by 0.12 percent, while French CAC 40 Index rose 0.55 percent.

In Asian markets, Japan’s Nikkei Stock Average rose 0.51 percent, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index climbed 0.66 percent, China’s Shanghai Composite Index gained 0.44 percent and India’s BSE Sensex slipped 0.16 percent.

Broker Recommendation

Analysts at BTIG Research upgraded Twitter Inc (NYSE: TWTR) from Neutral to Buy.

Twitter shares rose 3.07 percent to $18.82 in pre-market trading.

Breaking news

• Time Warner Inc (NYSE: TWX) reported stronger-than-expected earnings for its fourth quarter on Wednesday.
• Humana Inc (NYSE: HUM) reported upbeat adjusted earnings for its fourth quarter.
• Walt Disney Co (NYSE: DIS) reported better-than-expected earnings for its first quarter, but sales missed expectations.
• Allergan plc (NYSE: AGN) reported better-than-expected results for its fourth quarter on Wednesday.