Investing.com - U.S. stock futures pointed to higher open, ahead of the release of U.S. jobless claims data and the European Central Bank's upcoming policy statement, as market sentiment improved after a positive trade balance report from China.
Ahead of the open, the Dow Jones Industrial Average futures pointed to a 0.20% rise, S&P 500 futures signaled a 0.25% gain, while the Nasdaq 100 futures indicated a 0.25% increase.
Investor confidence strengthened after official data showed that China’s trade surplus widened unexpectedly in December, adding to signs of recovery in the world’s second largest economy.
Chinese exports rose 14.1% in December from a year earlier while imports increased by 6%.
Meanwhile, the ECB was widely expected to hold off cutting rates, but some market participants expected the bank to flag the possibility of rate cuts later in the year.
Tech stocks were expected to be active, as the Consumer Electronics Show continues in Las Vegas. According to a Reuters report, one of Microsoft's top Windows executives said at the show that the group has sold 60 million licenses and upgradesfor its Windows 8 operating system in the 10 weeks since its launch.
In the financial sector, Bloomberg reported that BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager, said it has agreed to buy an exchange-traded funds unit from Credit Suisse Group for an undisclosed sum.
Separately, Morgan Stanley reportedly plans to cut 1,600 jobs in its investment banking unit, roughly 6% of staff in that unit, possibly as soon as this week.
Elsewhere, Facebook was likely to be in the spotlight after the social-networking giant on Wednesday sent out a press event invitation for next week at its Menlo Park campus, leading to growing speculation over the potential launch of a phone or a search engine.
Facebook shares climbed 0.52% in pre-market trade.
Other stocks in focus included oil and gas major Chevron, due to report earnings later in the day.
Across the Atlantic, European stock markets were mixed. The EURO STOXX 50 added 0.11%, France’s CAC 40 fell 0.21%, Germany's DAX rose 0.26%, while Britain's FTSE 100 edged 0.13% higher.
During the Asian trading session, Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index climbed 0.59%, while Japan’s Nikkei 225 Index advanced 0.7%.
Later in the day, the U.S. was to release the weekly government report on initial jobless claims.
Ahead of the open, the Dow Jones Industrial Average futures pointed to a 0.20% rise, S&P 500 futures signaled a 0.25% gain, while the Nasdaq 100 futures indicated a 0.25% increase.
Investor confidence strengthened after official data showed that China’s trade surplus widened unexpectedly in December, adding to signs of recovery in the world’s second largest economy.
Chinese exports rose 14.1% in December from a year earlier while imports increased by 6%.
Meanwhile, the ECB was widely expected to hold off cutting rates, but some market participants expected the bank to flag the possibility of rate cuts later in the year.
Tech stocks were expected to be active, as the Consumer Electronics Show continues in Las Vegas. According to a Reuters report, one of Microsoft's top Windows executives said at the show that the group has sold 60 million licenses and upgradesfor its Windows 8 operating system in the 10 weeks since its launch.
In the financial sector, Bloomberg reported that BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager, said it has agreed to buy an exchange-traded funds unit from Credit Suisse Group for an undisclosed sum.
Separately, Morgan Stanley reportedly plans to cut 1,600 jobs in its investment banking unit, roughly 6% of staff in that unit, possibly as soon as this week.
Elsewhere, Facebook was likely to be in the spotlight after the social-networking giant on Wednesday sent out a press event invitation for next week at its Menlo Park campus, leading to growing speculation over the potential launch of a phone or a search engine.
Facebook shares climbed 0.52% in pre-market trade.
Other stocks in focus included oil and gas major Chevron, due to report earnings later in the day.
Across the Atlantic, European stock markets were mixed. The EURO STOXX 50 added 0.11%, France’s CAC 40 fell 0.21%, Germany's DAX rose 0.26%, while Britain's FTSE 100 edged 0.13% higher.
During the Asian trading session, Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index climbed 0.59%, while Japan’s Nikkei 225 Index advanced 0.7%.
Later in the day, the U.S. was to release the weekly government report on initial jobless claims.