A Peek Into The Market Before The Trading Starts

Pre-open movers US stock futures are flat this morning, as investors are awaiting housing and consumer-sentiment data. Futures on the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 10 points to 12,399.00 and futures on the S&P 500 stock index rose 0.20 point to 1,326.70. Nasdaq 100 futures dropped 0.25 point to 2,325.00. A Peek Into Global Markets Asian markets ended mixed, with Japan's Nikkei Stock Average dropping 0.42%, Australia's S&P/ASX 200 moving up 0.53% and China's Shanghai Composite declining 0.97%. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index rose 0.95% and India's Sensex jumped 1.28%. European markets were higher today. The STOXX Europe 600 Index has gained 0.58%, London's FTSE 100 Index moved up 0.86%. Broker Recommendation Analysts at Robert W. Baird downgraded Itron Inc ITRI from “neutral” to “underperform.” The target price for ITRI has been lowered from $60 to $44. ITRI shares dropped 2.17% to $52.26 in pre-market trading. Breaking news

• eBay EBAY and its payment processor PayPal are suing Google GOOG for stealing trade trade secrets related to mobile payment systems. To read the full news, click here.
• Seadrill Limited SDRL reported its first-quarter results and lifted its quarterly dividend. To read the full news, click here.
• Stryker Corporation SYK and Orthovita, VITA announced today that Stryker's indirect wholly owned subsidiary, Owl Acquisition Corporation, has commenced the previously announced tender offer for all outstanding shares of common stock of Orthovita for $3.85 per share, net to the seller in cash, without interest and less any required withholding taxes. To read the full news, click here.
• Tessera Technologies TSRA today announced that its wholly owned subsidiary Tessera has filed a complaint against Sony Corporation in the California State Court of Santa Clara County alleging breach of contract, breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing, and seeking declaratory relief. To read the full news, click here.

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