On Friday morning, the S&P 500 Index e-mini futures (ES-M2) traded higher by 4.00 points to 1401.50 per contract. The catalyst for the slightly higher futures market was a stronger European stock market and a better-than-expected weekly jobless claims report. Most traders and investors were eagerly awaiting the nonfarm payroll report by the U.S. Labor Department.
Earlier, Spain auctioned off three and five year bonds at a higher interest rate. The markets are rejoicing the bond auction as Spain's IBEX 35 trades higher by 1.76 percent. The European Central Bank (ECB) also held their key lending rate at 1.00 percent. Many investors were expecting a possible rate cut by the central bank, however, the markets were not disappointed by the ECB's action.
Some equities that are trading slightly higher before the opening bell include iShares MSCI Spain Index (ETF) (NYSEARCA:EWP), Banco Santander, S.A. (ADR) (NYSE:STD), iShares MSCI Italy Index (ETF) (NYSEARCA:EWI), and the iShares MSCI Germany Index Fund (ETF) (NYSEARCA:EWG).