A Peek Into The Market Before The Trading Starts

Pre-open movers
US stock futures are higher this morning, as investors are awaiting economic data. Futures for the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 51 points to 11,629.00 and futures on the S&P 500 stock index climbed 8.30 points to 1,262.20. Nasdaq 100 futures rose 10.25 points to 2,218.75.

A Peek Into Global Markets

Positive sentiment ruled the European markets today. While STOXX Europe 600 Index has gained 0.70%, London's FTSE 100 Index moved up 0.68%.

Asian markets ended lower, with Japan's Nikkei Stock Average dropping 1.44%, Australia's S&P/ASX 200 falling 0.12% and China's Shanghai Composite declining 1.14%. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index fell 1.83% and India's Sensex dropped 1.05%.

Broker Recommendation
Analysts at BMO Capital downgraded American Eagle Outfitters AEO from “outperform” to “market perform.” The target price for AEO has been lowered from $19 to $15.

AEO shares fell 2.77% to close at $15.42 yesterday.

Breaking news

• lululemon athletica inc. LULU today announced financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended January 30, 2011. To read the full news, click here.



• Winnebago Industries, Inc. WGO today reported results for the Company's second quarter and first six months of Fiscal 2011. Revenues for the second quarter of Fiscal 2011 ended February 26, 2011 were $106.6 million, a decrease of 3.6 percent, versus $110.5 million for the second quarter of Fiscal 2010. To read the full news, click here.



• AECOM Technology Corporation ACM announced today that it has been awarded a contract for the construction management of DC Water's Enhanced Nitrogen Removal Program in Washington. To read the full news, click here.



• The Cato Corporation CATO today reported net income for the fourth quarter ended January 29, 2011. For the fourth quarter, the Company reported net income of $7.9 million or $0.27 per diluted share, compared to net income of $7.3 million or $0.25 per diluted share for the fourth quarter ended January 30, 2010. To read the full news, click here.

Read more from Benzinga's Markets.