A Peek Into The Market Before The Trading Starts

Pre-open movers US stock futures are higher this morning as crude oil prices stabilized. Investors are awaiting economic reports. Futures for the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 78 points to 12,115, while those for the S&P 500 index climbed 9.60 points to 1,312. Futures for the Nasdaq 100 index rose 19.25 points to 2,328. A Peek Into Global Markets Positive sentiment ruled the European markets today. While STOXX Europe 600 Index has advanced 0.89%, London's FTSE 100 Index moved up 0.24%. Asian markets ended higher, with Japan's Nikkei Stock Average gaining 0.71% and Australia's S&P/ASX 200 rising 0.49%. Broker Recommendation Piper Jaffray, which downgraded shares of MedAssets, Inc. MDAS – and lowered its PT from $21 to $15 – is providing some color on its 4Q results. “MDAS Q4 earnings missed on the top and bottom line, they guided below our street-low 2011 estimates, RCM backlog showed no growth,” Piper Jaffray writes. “Separately, Medtronic announced it is cancelling its GPO contracts with both Novation and Premier, adding uncertainty to the long-term sustainability of the current GPO model. We also believe there is renewal risk in certain provider contracts.” MedAssets, Inc closed Thursday at $21.32. Breaking news

• Interpublic Group of Companies Inc IPG reported its Q4 EPS at $0.36, versus the consensus of $0.31. To read the full news, click here.
• PEPCO Holdings POM reported its Q4 EPS, ex-items, at $0.25, beating the consensus of $0.11. To read the full news, click here.
• AMAG Pharmaceuticals Inc AMAG reported its Q4 loss at $0.94 per share, versus the expected loss of $1.04 per share. To read the full news, click here.
• Interline Brands IBI reported its Q4 adjusted EPS at $0.27, beating the consensus of $0.25. To read the full news, click here.

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