Pre-Market Outlook: European Equities Gain, U.S. Futures Flat

European equity markets are shrugging off Spanish bank ratings downgrades and the resignation of Portugal's prime minister Thursday, as stocks are up broadly. Futures ares indicating a flat open for U.S. markets, with the S&P 500, Nasdaq, and Dow indicies all trading even to 0.1% higher. Best Buy BBY, ConAgra Foods CAG, Darden Restaurants DRI, and Oracle ORCL, are all reporting earnings today. The Labor Department releases at 8:30 am EST first-time claims for jobless benefits for the week ended March 19. Economists in a Reuters survey estimated a total of 383,000 new filings, with 385,000 in the prior week. At the same time, the Commerce Department will release its February durable goods orders data. Economists are forecasting a rise in orders of 1.1%, versus a 3.2% increase in January. Elsewhere Thursday, Moody's downgraded 30 Spanish banks sighting a bleak economic outlook. Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Socrates resigned on Wednesday after parliament rejected his proposed austerity measures.