US Stock Futures Down After Japan Earthquake Triggers Off Tsunami Warnings

US stock futures are lower this morning, after a strong earthquake in the northeastern part of the Japan. The tsunami warnings were also issued for Hawaii, parts of the West Coast of the US and 19 other countries. Futures on the Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped 62 points to 11,858.00 and futures on the S&P 500 index fell 6 points to 1,283.50. Nasdaq 100 futures dropped 10.25 points to 2,270.50.

US stocks closed lower, with the blue-chip Dow index dropping 1.87% to close at 11,984.61 on Thursday.

National Semiconductor Corp NSM reported its FQ3 net income at $59.4 million, or $0.24 per share, on revenue of $343.9 million, compared with $53.2 million, or $0.22 per share on revenue of $361.9 million, in the year-earlier period. However, analysts had been expecting earnings of $0.24 per share on revenue of $351.7 million. NSM expects FQ4 revenue of $360 million to $370 million, versus analysts' estimates of $367.7 million.

Aeropostale Inc ARO reported its Q4 net income at $83.8 million, or $0.95 per share, versus $96.6 million, or $0.99 per share, in the year-ago period. Excluding the higher-than-expected taxes, the company's earnings came in at $0.98 per share. ARO's revenue increased to $839.3 million from $801.2 million. However, analysts were expecting earnings of $0.97 per share on revenue of $835 million. ARO projects Q1 earnings of $0.35 to $0.38 per share, and full-year earnings of $2.20 to $2.40 per share. However, analysts estimated Q1 earnings of $0.43 per share, and full-year earnings of $2.54 per share.

Zumiez Inc ZUMZ reported its Q4 earnings at $15 million, or $0.49 per share, versus $8.8 million, or $0.29 per share, in the year-ago period. The company's sales increased 18% to $156.2 million. Analysts expected ZUMZ to report Q4 earnings at $0.48 per share on revenue of $155.68 million. Zumiez projects to post a Q1 loss of $0.03 per share to breakeven per share on revenue of $100 to $102 million. However, analysts were estimating Q1 earnings of $0.01 per share on revenue of $101.4 million.

American States Water Company AWR is projected to post its Q4 earnings at $0.46 per share on revenue of $96.70 million. Hibbett Sports Inc HIBB is expected to report its Q4 EPS at $0.43 on revenue of $178.47 million.

Ann Taylor ANN is projected to report its Q4 EPS at $0.17 on revenue of $515.14 million. Arena Pharmaceuticals Inc ARNA is estimated to post a Q4 loss at $0.21 per share on revenue of $4.81 million.

Negative sentiment ruled the European markets today. While STOXX Europe 600 Index has dropped 0.86%, London's FTSE 100 Index moved down 0.58%.

Asian markets ended in the negative territory, with Japan's Nikkei Stock Average dropping 1.72%, Australia's S&P/ASX 200 moving down 1.18% and China's Shanghai Composite falling 0.79%. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index declined 1.55% and India's Sensex lost 0.84%. On Friday, an 8.9 magnitude devastating earthquake hit northeastern Japan.

The US dollar declined 0.9% to 82.16 Japanese yen. However, the euro was at $1.3825, versus $1.3799 late Thursday in New York.

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