A Peek Into The Market Before The Trading Starts

Pre-open movers
US stock futures are lower this morning following strong drop in Japanese markets after Friday's strong earthquake. Futures on the Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped 48 points to 11,955.00 and futures on the S&P 500 index fell 5.80 points to 1,295.40. Nasdaq 100 futures dropped 16.75 points to 2,286.00.

A Peek Into Global Markets

Negative sentiment ruled the European markets today. While STOXX Europe 600 Index has dropped 0.33%, London's FTSE 100 Index moved down 0.10%.

Asian markets ended mixed, with Japan's Nikkei Stock Average dipping 6.18%, Australia's S&P/ASX 200 dropping 0.52% and China's Shanghai Composite gaining 0.13%. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index gained 0.41% and India's Sensex jumped 1.46%.

Broker Recommendation
Analysts at ThinkEquity upgraded Lululemon Athletica inc LULU from “hold” to “buy.”

LULU shares gained 2.38% to close at $76.50 on Friday.

Breaking news

• Family Dollar Stores, Inc. FDO reported that net sales for the second quarter ended February 26, 2011, increased 8.3% to $2.26 billion from $2.09 billion in the second quarter ended February 27, 2010. To read the full news, click here.



• Berkshire Hathaway Inc BRK announced its plans to acquire 100% of outstanding shares of Lubrizol Corporation LZ for $135 per share in cash. To read the full news, click here.



• Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers RBA conducted a record-breaking auction in Dubai, United Arab Emirates last week, selling US$57 million of heavy equipment and trucks the highest gross auction proceeds ever generated from a Dubai auction. To read the full news, click here.



• Elanco, the animal health division of Eli Lilly and Company LLY, today announced that Lilly has made an irrevocable, unconditional offer to acquire the animal health business of Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, a Johnson & Johnson Company JNJ. To read the full news, click here.

Read more from Benzinga's Markets.