A Peek Into The Market Before The Trading Starts

Pre-open movers US stock futures are slightly higher this morning, as investors are awaiting inflation data. Futures for the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 31 points to 11,418.00 and S&P 500 index futures rose 4.60 points to 1,196.90. Nasdaq 100 futures gained 1.75 points to 2,201. A Peek Into Global Markets European markets were mostly lower today. The STOXX Europe 600 Index dropped 0.27%, London's FTSE 100 Index moved down 0.54%, French CAC 40 index rose 0.40% and German DAX 30 index dropped 0.37%. Asian markets ended mixed, with Japan's Nikkei Stock Average dropping 0.5509%, Australia's S&P/ASX 200 moving up 1.26% and China's Shanghai Composite dropping 0.26%. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index rose 0.3807% and India's Sensex gained 0.74%. Broker Recommendation Analysts at JP Morgan upgraded Motorola Mobility Holdings Inc MMI from “underweight” to “neutral.” Motorola Mobility shares dropped 0.26% to close at $38.02 yesterday. Breaking news

• Staples Inc SPLS reported a 36% rise in its fiscal second-quarter profit. Staples' quarterly profit surged to $176.4 million, or $0.25 per share, from $129.8 million, or $0.18 per share, in the year-ago period. To read the full news, click here.
• Apple Inc AAPL is considering an investment in a Sharp Corporation factory that produces LCD screens for the company's popular iPhone and iPad products, sources told Reuters Wednesday. To read the full news, click here.
• Chico's FAS, Inc. CHS announced today a definitive agreement to acquire Boston Proper Inc., a Boca Raton, Florida based privately held direct-to-consumer retailer of distinctive women's apparel and accessories. To read the full news, click here.
• Abercrombie & Fitch Co ANF reported a 64% surge in its fiscal second-quarter profit. Abercrombie & Fitch's quarterly profit jumped to $32 million, or $0.35 per share, from $19.5 million, or $0.22 per share, in the year-ago period. To read the full news, click here.