A Peek Into The Markets: U.S. Stock Futures Up Ahead Of Economic Data

Pre-open movers U.S. stock futures traded higher in early pre-market trade. U.S. Gross Domestic Product report for the third quarter, data on initial jobless claims, the Philly Fed manufacturing index and the Chicago Fed National Activity Index for November will be released at 8:30 a.m. ET. The FHFA House Price Index for October is schedule for release at 9:00 a.m. ET, while the index of leading economic indicators for November will be released at 10:00 a.m. ET. Futures for the Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 29 points to 24,768.00, while the Standard & Poor's 500 index futures rose 4.75 points to 2,686.25. Futures for the Nasdaq 100 index gained 3.75 points to 6,492.75. Oil prices traded lower as Brent crude futures fell 0.12 percent to trade at $64.48 per barrel, while US WTI crude futures slipped 0.17 percent to trade at $57.99 a barrel. The Energy Information Administration's weekly report on natural gas stocks in underground storage is schedule for release at 10:30 a.m. ET. A Peek Into Global Markets European markets were higher today, with the Spanish Ibex Index rising 0.10 percent, STOXX Europe 600 Index climbing 0.10 percent and German DAX 30 index gaining 0.06 percent. The UK's FTSE index was trading higher by 0.36 percent, while French CAC 40 Index rose 0.03 percent. In Asian markets, Japan's Nikkei Stock Average fell 0.11 percent, Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index climbed 0.45 percent, China's Shanghai Composite Index rose 0.38 percent and India's BSE Sensex declined 0.06 percent. Broker Recommendation Analysts at Buckingham upgraded JPMorgan Chase & Co. JPM from Neutral to Buy. JPMorgan shares fell 0.35 percent to close at $106.14 on Wednesday. Breaking news

• Accenture Plc ACN reported stronger-than-expected earnings for its first quarter and raised its FY18 earnings guidance.
• Allergan plc AGN reported that the FDA has accepted NDA for Seysara for treatment of moderate to severe acne.
• Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. BBBY shares dropped around 4 percent in pre-market trading despite reporting a third quarter earnings and sales beat. Comps were down 0.3 percent in the quarter.
• AEterna Zentaris Inc. (USA) AEZS reported the FDA approval of Macrilen for diagnosis of adult growth hormone deficiency.