US Stock Futures Down; All Eyes On Nonfarm Payrolls Data

US stock futures are slightly lower this morning, as investors are awaiting nonfarm payrolls data. Futures for the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 16 points to 13,127.00 and S&P 500 index futures fell 1.40 points to 1,384.50. Nasdaq 100 futures declined 0.25 points to 2,691.75.
 
US stocks closed lower on Thursday, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropping 0.47% to 13,206.59, the S&P 500 index declining 0.77% to 1,391.57 and the Nasdaq 100 index dipping 1.16% to 3,024.30.
 
US monthly payrolls figures will be released at 1230 GMT.
 
Ameren Corporation (NYSE: AEE) is expected to post its Q1 EPS at $0.23 on revenue of $1.70 billion. Estee Lauder Companies Inc. (NYSE: EL) is projected to post its Q3 earnings at $0.33 per share on sales of $2.25 billion. The AES Corporation (NYSE: AES) is expected to post its Q1 EPS at $0.27 on revenue of $4.50 billion. Church & Dwight Co Inc. (NYSE: CHD) is estimated to post its Q1 earnings at $0.61 per share on revenue of $675.7 million.
 
Pepco Holdings Inc. (NYSE: POM) is estimated to post its Q1 earnings at $0.24 per share on revenue of $1.87 billion. Aon Corporation (NYSE: AON) is projected to post its Q1 earnings at $1.06 per share on revenue of $2.84 billion. PPL Corporation (NYSE: PPL) is estimated to post its Q1 EPS at $0.66 on revenue of $3.14 billion.
 
Duke Energy Corporation (NYSE: DUK) is projected to post its Q1 earnings at $0.36 per share on revenue of $3.62 billion. ITT Corporation (NYSE: ITT) is projected to post its Q1 EPS at $0.32 on revenue of $554.32 million. United States Cellular Corporation (NYSE: USM) is expected to post its Q1 EPS at $0.44 on revenue of $1.09 billion. Exelon Corporation (NYSE: EXC) is estimated to post its Q1 EPS at $0.81 on revenue of $7.67 billion.
 
LinkedIn Corp (NYSE: LNKD) lifted its full-year forecast and reported upbeat first- quarter profit. American International Group (NYSE: AIG) reported a strong rise in its first-quarter profit.

European markets were lower today. The STOXX Europe 600 Index declined 0.71%, London's FTSE 100 Index moved down 0.81%, French CAC 40 index fell 0.98% and German DAX 30 index dropped 0.66%.
 
Asian markets ended mostly lower, with China's Shanghai Composite gaining 0.49% and Australia's S&P/ASX 200 falling 0.78%. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index declined 0.77% and India's Sensex dipped 1.89%.
 
Crude-oil futures for June delivery dropped $1.22 to $101.31 a barrel. However, gold futures for June delivery fell $4.90 to $1,629.90 an ounce.
 
The ICE dollar index (DXY) gained 0.12% to 79.31, versus 79.213 in late North American trading on Thursday.

By Monica Gerson