A Peek Into The Markets: U.S. Stock Futures Flat; Jobs Data In Focus

Pre-open movers

U.S. stock futures traded mostly flat in early pre-market trade. Data on nonfarm payrolls and unemployment rate for March will be released at 8:30 a.m. ET, while data on wholesale inventories for February will be released at 10:00 a.m. ET. Data on consumer credit for February will be released at 3:00 p.m. ET. New York Federal Reserve Bank President William Dudley is set to speak in New York at 12:15 p.m. ET.

Futures for the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1 point to 20,606.00, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 index futures fell 0.50 points to 2,353.50. Futures for the Nasdaq 100 index gained 0.25 points to 5,423.25.

Oil prices traded higher as Brent crude futures rose 0.80 percent to trade at $55.33 per barrel, while US WTI crude futures rose 1.03 percent to trade at $52.23 a barrel. The Baker Hughes North American rig count report for the latest week is schedule for release at 1:00 p.m. ET.

A Peek Into Global Markets

European markets were mostly lower today, with the Spanish Ibex Index dropping 0.13 percent, STOXX Europe 600 Index dropping 0.20 percent and German DAX 30 index dropping 0.33 percent. The UK's FTSE index was trading higher by 0.19 percent, while French CAC 40 Index fell 0.03 percent.

In Asian markets, Japan’s Nikkei Stock Average rose 0.36 percent, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index declined 0.03 percent, China’s Shanghai Composite Index rose 0.17 percent and India’s BSE Sensex fell 0.74 percent.

Broker Recommendation

Analysts at Deutsche Bank upgraded Buckle Inc BKE from Sell to Hold and raises the price target from $15.00 to $16.00.

Buckle shares rose 3.08 percent to close at $16.75 on Wednesday.

Breaking news

• PriceSmart, Inc. PSMT reported weaker-than-expected earnings for its second quarter on Thursday.



• WD-40 Company WDFC reported downbeat earnings for its second quatrter and lowered its FY17 sales outlook.



• According to unconfirmed market chatter circulating on Thursday, Japan's Mitsui & Co. MITSY is in advanced talks to acquire AK Steel Holding Corp. AKS. "Sources" say $11 per share is being discussed.



• DryShips Inc. DRYS reported a 1-for-4 reverse stock split.